Heritage Open Days has returned for 2022 with a new schedule of free events and experiences available for guests.
From September 9 to 18, historic venues across Lancashire are open to the public as part of England’s largest festival of history.
Dozens of buildings are throwing their doors open to the public with many events taking place across the region too.
Here are all the buildings you can visit and events taking place in East Lancashire for Heritage Open Days 2022:
Blackburn with Darwen
- Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn
This is an overview of the Community History Collection and an opportunity to see a selection of items normally held behind the scenes.
A basic welcome and introduction to Community History Resources will take place in the Community History Library before moving into the staff area in order to look at some examples of ephemera, maps, photographs and resources which are not kept on open access.
The event will take place on Wednesday September 14, from 2pm-3pm.
There will also be a small exhibition of photographs and ephemera on display in the entrance to Blackburn Central Library.
This event will take place on:
Wednesday 14 September: 10am-5pm
Friday 16 September: 10am-5pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am-5pm
- Darwen Heritage Centre, Railway Road, Darwen
A spokesperson said: “Come and see our extensive Century of Darwen Music exhibition.
“We also have an exhibition about local inventions and a celebration of our 5 years of being open to the public.
“There is a display of impressive mayoral caskets and other local artefacts.
We will also be holding artefact handling sessions- feel the weight of a pair of mill workers clogs, touch a death penny and have your picture taken with the ceremonial spade used to dig the first sod for the building of Darwen Tower.”
Event times:
Friday 16 September: 10am- 5pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am- 5pm
- Darwen Library, Knott Street
Unique artefacts from Darwen Library’s history on display locally for the first time since they left the town more than 100 years ago.
Event times:
Wednesday 14 September: 10am- 5pm
Thursday 15 September: 1pm – 5pm
Friday 16 September: 10am – 5pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am – 2pm
- Darwen Vale High School, Blackburn Road, Darwen
On display will be archives dating back to early 1900s as well as from more recent times.
A tour of the school's amazing facilities is available with our wonderful prefects, and refreshments provided in conjunction with our Macmillan Coffee Morning.
Event time: Saturday 17 September: 9am – 1pm
- Ritherdon factory, Lorne Street, Darwen
Ritherdon is one of the oldest companies in Lancashire located in the first ever Steam Tram Shed built in 1881.
Come see how machinery and manufacturing has evolved over the years and look at the old Tram Tracks still in place.
Event times:
Wednesday 14 September: 1100 & 1400
Thursday 15 September: 1100 & 1400
Friday 16 September: 1100
Burnley
- Burnley and Pendle Methodist Heritage, Brassey Street, Burnley
Burnley and Pendle Methodist Circuit will launch their new Heritage Hub and resource centre covering the history of Methodism and local Methodist churches. Local material will be on show and new material can be donated. Light refreshments available.
Event times:
Saturday 17 September: 2pm-5pm
Sunday 18 September: 2pm-5pm
- Gawthorpe Hall, Habergham Drive, Burnley
Gawthorpe Hall is open for free to all visitors on Saturday 17 September.
Enjoy the historic Victorian rooms, the fabulous portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, and stunning textiles from Gawthorpe Textiles Collection and get a look at the servants' side of the Hall.
Use the spiral staircase to pass from the stately family rooms to the Victorian kitchen where you can meet the housekeeper.
Room stewards are available to answer your questions about the Hall and the Kay-Shuttleworth family.
Event times:
Saturday 17 September: 12pm – 4pm
Hyndburn
Haworth Art Gallery, Hollins Lane, Accrington
Haworth Art Gallery Heritage Open Day will transport you back to the the Edwardian era and the Astounding Inventions in the Arts and Crafts House and Artists'Studios. Enjoy object handling, crafts workshops, music and dress up in period costume
Event times:
Sunday 18 September: 12pm – 4pm.
Tours at 12:15, 13:15, 14:15 and 15:15
Belthorn Village heritage weekend at the Dog Inn community pub, Belthorn Road, Oswaldtwistle
Photographs, artefacts, ephemera, maps and information relating to the history of Belthorn, Rann, Bank Fold, Daisy Green and Guide.
A free printed history walk around the village will be available for visitors to take and explore.
Event times:
Saturday 17 September: 12pm-5pm
Sunday 18 September: 12pm-5pm
Ribble Valley
The Poetry of Invention, Castle Street, Clitheroe
Starting from the Swan & Royal pub on Castle St, Ribble Valley Stanza poets will lead a walk around Clitheroe town centre, reading poems on a theme of invention in various locations.
Event time:
September 16: 1:30 – 3:30
Whalley Methodist Church, King Street, Whalley
In conjunction with the parish church, the Methodist church will be open for people to view the famous stained glass windows.
Other art works illustrating Lancashire's heritage will be on display. Family fun activites and refreshments available too.
Event time: 11am – 2pm
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here