Explore what s on your doorstep ST ALBANS Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 September 2016
St Albans Civic Society, in conjunction with the Herts Advertiser, is delighted to be bringing you this special local guide for Heritage Open Days. St Albans City and District Council is also giving its support. Heritage Open Days was established in 1994 as England s contribution to the European Heritage Days. The idea behind it was to raise appreciation for our rich and diverse cultural assets and the need for their care and protection. It has since grown into this Country s largest heritage festival. Enjoy! Most attractions are FREE unless otherwise stated. 2
WALKS MEET ST ALBANS TREES AND DISCOVER THEIR HISTORICAL CONNECTIONS Sunday 11 Sept 14.00 meet in front of the old Town Hall for a 1hr 30min walk via St Peter s churchyard and back, taking in French Row, Waxhouse Gate, Vintry Garden and the Abbey Orchard. Led by Kate Bretherton, author of The Remarkable Trees of St Albans. No booking required. 07901 945 920 CITY TOUR GUIDES Saturday 10 Sept 14.30 Fishpool Street - Rags and Riches. Meet at Verulamium Museum. Sunday 11 Sept 11.00 Historic St Albans: A City Revealed. Meet in front of the old Town Hall. Sunday 11 Sept 14.30 Coaching Inns. Meet in front of the old Town Hall. Some pavements are cobbled and narrow. Max 25 people. Not suitable for children under 10. No booking required. Join our free walks covering different periods in St Albans. Discover places you haven t noticed; hear tales of events and characters from the past brought to life. Full descriptions www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk FLEETVILLE DIARIES Thursday 8 Sept 17.30 Steaming Through Fleetville: the story of the Hatfield and St Albans Railway Line. Meet Old Station House, London Road AL1 1JD Go down Orient Close via roundabout on London Road. Now the Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery. 1hr 30min walk finishes junction of Hill End Lane and Alban Way. No booking required. 07507 684531 www.fleetvillediaries.webplus.net CIVIC SOCIETY WALK History Hand in Hand with Heritage. Friday 9 Sept 18.00 Saturday 10 Sept 11.00 Meet outside Clock Tower entrance. 1hour 30min stroll. If you missed this walk last year here s your chance again to sample the tour the Society offers visiting Civic Societies. They say it gives a good taste of St Albans! Come and see for yourself. Max 25 people. Wheelchair friendly. No booking required. High Street/Market Place AL3 SDR www.stalbanscivicsociety.net 3
ABBEY GATEWAY TOURS Sunday 11 Sept 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30, 12.00, 12.30, 13.00, 13.30, 14.00, 14.30, 15.00 & 15.30 Tour of the most complete medieval gateway in England including a museum relating to the history of St Albans School founded in 948 AD. No booking required. Disabled access to ground floor only. Max 20 people per tour/session. Narrow spiral staircases with steep steps. Adjacent to the west front of the Cathedral. Five minutes from the city centre. St Albans School, Abbey Gateway AL3 4HB ABBEY THEATRE Sunday 11 Sept 11.00 to 16.00 Company of Ten members will be on hand to show you around and explain how you can become involved as a Friend of the Theatre or a member of the Company. It is not all about acting; there are many different roles to be filled, from pulling pints to operating the sound and lighting, designing sets and making props and costumes.there is also an exhibition of a series of atmospheric onstage and backstage paintings by local artist Emma Franc, artist in residence.the bar will be open for the sale of tea, coffee and ice cream. Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill AL1 2DL 4 CATHEDRAL EVENTS AND TOURS Thursday 8 Sept 18.00 to 19.00 Bell Ringing Challenge 500. Cathedral Bell Ringers will be joining hundreds of others in this national event. Tower Tours Saturday 10 Sept 10.00, 11.30, 13.00 & 14.30 Sunday 11 Sept 14.00. 15.15 & 16.30 Climb 193 steps and walk through medieval passages, seeing the Cathedral bells and panoramic views over the city. Tickets available on the day from the Cathedral Box Office on a first come, first served basis (max 4 per person). 12 people per tour. Not suitable for children under 11. Steps are steep and narrow. Visitors taking this tour must be fit enough to manage the climb. Sufferers from vertigo or claustrophobia should not attempt it. Children s Trail Saturday 10 Sept 13.00 to 15.45 Sunday 11 Sept 14.00 to 16.30 A fun, self guided children s trail to explore the building. Available from the Information Desk. Choral Evensong Saturday 10 Sept 16.00; Sunday 11 Sept 18.30
CLOCK TOWER Thursday 8 Sept 10.30 to 20.00 Friday 9, Saturday 10, Sunday 11 Sept 10.30 to 16.45 Built in 1405, you can climb the 93 steps of the country s sole surviving medieval town belfry for spectacular views over the city and the surrounding area. Children s activities include the chance to add to the What I Like About the Clock Tower display. No booking required. No disabled access. Steps are steep and narrow. Thursday 8 Sept 18.00 to 19.00 join the National Bell Ringing and ring the Market Bell, cast in 1729. 18.00 to 20.00 there is the opportunity to take photos of the sunset and view the 3rd floor Dial Room. Junction of Market Place/High Street AL3 5DR If you can help and be a volunteer at the Clock Tower, please ask one of the Clockateers on duty for a leaflet. DAGNALL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH Saturday 10 Sept 10.00 to 18.00 Sunday 11 Sept 13.00 to 17.00 Lofty Victorian Baptist Church built above a lower hall circa 1885. Refurbished in 2003. Features are the Baptistry in the Apse, mosaic floor of the Choir and Bevington organ. There is a stained glass window, unusual for nonconformist churches of the time. Display of archive material. Cross Street Centre Café open for the sale of refreshments Sat 10.00 to 14.00. No booking required. Wheelchair access can be arranged via Cross Street Centre. Families and children welcome. Upper Dagnall Street AL3 5EE www.dsbc.org.uk DE HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT MUSEUM Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Sept 10.30 to 17.00 Visit the oldest aircraft museum in the UK, run by volunteers. See the restoration of de Havilland aircraft and many inspiring projects. Heritage Open Days visitors presenting this leaflet enjoy two adult admissions for the price of one or two children s admissions free with two charged adult admissions. Salisbury Hall, London Colney AL2 1BU www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk 01727 826400 KINGSBURY BARNS Pottery exhibition by 26 different potters and also Sandridge Knitted Village. Exhibition Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Sept 10.00 to 17.00 Meet the Potters Sat 10 Sept 10.30 to 12.00 Knitted Village Sat 10 and Sunday 11 Sept 10.00 to 16.00 Dacorum and Chilterns Potters Guild will be exhibiting and selling their work in this Grade II* listed barn, built in 1374, with its soaring wooden interior. There will be demonstrations and a chance to throw a pot. The Sandridge Knitted Village will be in the adjacent Branch Road Barn. Special offer of Civic Society membership to celebrate Heritage Open Days. No parking anywhere in Kingsbury Mews. Disabled parking inside the barns gates. Enter via Branch Road AL3 4SE 5
LOWER RED LION INN Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 Sept 12.00 to 18.00 The last remaining of 14 pubs in historic Fishpool Street, where there are 72 listed buildings. Fine collection of pictures of past St Albans. Fishpool Street AL3 4RX MARLBOROUGH ROAD METHODIST CHURCH Saturday 10 Sept 10.00 to 16.00 A fine late 19th century Methodist Church noted for its extensive woodwork. See the pews before they go refurbishment is planned. A self-led trail explains key features. Special displays of its origin from a bakers outhouse in 1793. Light refreshments, musical interludes. No booking required. Disabled access via the Hall door. Cycle storage via Hall door ramp. Visitors are welcome at our Sunday 10.30 service. Marlborough Road AL1 3XG www.mrmc.org.uk REDBOURN VILLAGE MUSEUM Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Sept 14.00 to 17.00 On Sunday, English Miscellany will be performing authentic 17th century Playford dances on the lawn dressed in period costume. In between the dance sets there will be live music in the garden performed by Redbourn Folk Club.The Museum has exhibits through the ages relevant to the village with emphasis on the wide range of trades and industries that have provided employment through the centuries. Silk Mill House, Redbourn Common AL3 7NB (next to The Cricketers) REDBOURNBURY MILL Saturday 10 Sept 09.00 to 13.00 Sunday 11 Sept 12.00 to 17.00 18th century restored working water mill producing organic stone-ground flours and bread. Museum, milling demonstrations and artisan bakery on site. No booking required. Not suitable for children under 5. Ground floor wheelchair access only. Redbournbury Lane AL3 6RS (just off A5183 Redbourn Road) www.redbournburymill.co.uk ROYAL BRITISH LEGION MITCHELL HALL Saturday 10 Sunday 11 Sept 11.00 to 15.00 See the Mitchell Hall and also a now rare, original Nissen Hut. Refreshments available. Copies of updated book about the First World War Street Memorials of the Abbey Parish on sale. Information on the work of the Royal British Legion. 85 Verulam Road AL3 4DJ 6
RYDER HOUSE Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 Sept 10.00 to 17.00 subject to availability. The former offices of Samuel Ryder, donor of the prestigious golfing Ryder Cup, still has the original fireplace, complete with his hand carved initials. The Clarion Collection Hotel occupies this Grade II listed landmark built in 1911, designed by local architect Percival Blow to house Ryder s successful seed company. The building, sympathetically restored, retains many original features including leaded light room screens, a sweeping staircase and a magnificent mahogany stained glass dome. Clarion Collection Hotel, 27 Holywell Hill AL1 1HQ 01727 848849 (Next door is Samuel Ryder s art deco former Seed Hall Exhibition Building, now Café Rouge, also designed by Blow in 1931.) ST MARY S CHURCH (Redbourn) Thursday 8 Sept 18.00 to 20.00 Tours 18.00 and 19.00 Visit the Bell Tower; find out about church bell ringing and have a go yourself. Pre booking essential as maximum for each session is 12. To book contact Pauline Ridgwell, 01582 626055 email: pauline-r@ntlworld.com Bookings now open. Booking closes 5 Sept. There are steep winding stairs; access restricted and unsuitable for those with mobility problems. Not suitable for children under 10. Hemel Hempstead Road AL3 7NL ST MICHAEL S CHURCH Saturday 10 Sept 11.00 to 16.00 Brass and Bells! Medieval brasses on display, including an opportunity to make a rubbing of our reproduction brass. Tower Tours 14.00 and 15.30: climb the tower to see the bells and then descend through the clock chamber to the ringing chamber for a short bell-ringing demonstration. Ages 8+ St Michael s Street AL3 4SL www.stmichaels-parishchurch.org.uk ST PETER S CHURCH Sunday 11 Sept Church 14.00 to 17.00 Tower Tours 14.30 and 15.30 There are historic displays and the tower is the highest point in St Albans and offers spectacular views, which can include the Wembley Arch and Canary Wharf. The tower has a narrow spiral staircase and, to roof level, a very steep ladder. Access is subject to weather and an age restriction. Under 9s not allowed on the roof because of the steepness and height of the last ladder. Max 12 people per tour. No booking required. Thursday 8 Sept 18.00 to 19.00 St Peter s Bellringers take part in the nationwide bell ringing celebration with a demonstration. The large churchyard has an orchard, wildflower meadow, a storytellers circle and a Garden of Hope with Tree of Life memorial sculpture. St Peter s Street AL1 3HG 7
OTHER CHARTER MARKET With a Royal Charter granted in 1553 but dating back to the 9th Century, the Saturday Market is an established feature of St Albans tree-lined St Peter s Street area. It is well worth exploring from end to end to see the huge variety of goods and services on offer. www.enjoystalbans.com/market ST ALBANS SOUTH SIGNAL BOX Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 Sept 10.00 to 17.00 The Signal Box and Railway Museum is open over the weekend with displays of railway signals and equipment. Come and take the opportunity to pull the levers and ring the bells to send the trains from Harpenden to Napsbury. Steam ride on railway in the car park and friends of Thomas the Tank Engine in the flower beds.tea and coffee served in the signalman s garden. Free entry. Ridgmont Road AL1 3AJ VERULAMIUM MUSEUM Saturday 10 Sept 10.30 to 16.30 Objects on Demand is back! Come and see objects usually hidden away in our stores. Pick an object from the special catalogue and then see it close up and learn more about it from the Museum team. St Michael s Street AL3 4SW HEARTWOOD FOREST Heartwood Forest is one of the Woodland Trust s biggest woods in the Country.The charity bought the site in 2008 to preserve the existing areas of ancient woodland such as Langley Wood. It is now in the process of connecting them by planting thousands of new trees interspersed with wildflower meadows.the area is full of history from the Iron Age onwards. AL4 9DQ www.heartwoodforest.wordpress.com THE ODYSSEY CINEMA Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 Sept See cinema performance times and ticket prices. St Albans gloriously restored art deco cinema. Saved from demolition by the determined efforts of the Civic Society with the help of local people. Rescued by James Hannaway of The Rex in Berkhamsted with money raised by the citizens of St Albans. Now part of Cinema Heritage going back to Arthur Melbourne-Cooper, pioneer of film. London Road AL1 1PQ www.odysseypictures.co.uk Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the details supplied are accurate at the time of going to print. If in doubt, please check with the venue direct. 8 Compiled by St Albans Civic Society. Designed by Roy Bellamy.