WARRINGTON will once again be playing a key part in England’s largest festival of history and culture this month.

Community venues across the country will be throwing open their doors for Heritage Open Days which gives people the chance to try new experiences for free and this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Along the theme of Routes - Networks – Connections, the 2024 festival will be celebrating how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history.

In Warrington, between Friday, September, 6 and Sunday, 15, the event will give people the opportunity to learn more about where they live by exploring the area’s rich heritage and ‘hidden’ places.

A range of organisations will be providing an insight into some of the borough’s historic gems – including places that some people may not know about.

Warrington Museum’s Craig Sherwood, who is leading on Culture Warrington’s programme for Heritage Open Days, said: “The annual Heritage Open Days festival is always a highlight of the local heritage calendar, showcasing the routes, networks and connections that have made Warrington what it is.”

Since launching in 1994, Heritage Open Days – a National Trust project with support from People’s Postcode Lottery, has grown from 700 events in the first year to more than 5,250 in 2023 and is still guided by its founding principle of free access for all.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing and Projects Manager says: “The scale and diversity of Heritage Open Days is just incredible – every year thousands of passionate people help visitors to make doorstep discoveries and connect with history and heritage in every part of England. This year though, it will be extra special as we celebrate three decades worth of stories and all the brilliant people and places that have made it, and continue to make it, all possible.”

There will be more than 20 events across Warrington during the Heritage Open Days festival.

What us on and when?

• A special homecoming parade and workshop for the oldest horse on record. To celebrate the return of Old Billy’s head to Warrington, Mooncup Theatre invite you to promenade through Latchford Carnival of Creativity at Westy Community Centre on Saturday, 7 September at 1.30pm, while learning about Old Billy’s life in 1800s Warrington. The pre-parade workshop at 12.30pm involves customising your own party hat and learning a song and dance for the parade. All ages welcome.

• Dressed in authentic Civil War costume, the Battle of Winwick Society members will be at St Oswald’s Church in Winwick between 11am and 4pm on Saturday, 7 September and between 12pm and 3pm on Sunday to give a dramatic and accurate re-enactment of the lifestyle and conditions endured by the defeated Royalist prisoners after the Battle of Winwick in 1648.

• Meet at Orford Library at 12pm on Monday, 9 September, for a heritage walk around Orford Park and its environs to discover more about the history of this important town centre green space. Learn about the prehistoric Orford axe and the true story of John Blackburne’s ghostly pineapple! Phone 01925 907760 to book.

• St Matthew’s Church in Stretton is holding an open day on Saturday, 14 September between 10am and 4pm with opportunities to explore the church’s heritage and local history with visits to the tower to learn about bellringing.

• The Museum of Policing in Cheshire will be holding its annual open day between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, 14 September with the opportunity to experience a Victorian cell, dress up in a police uniform and learn about the many investigations that have taken place in Cheshire over the years. Visit and speak to firearms officers, drone unit officers and public order officers and much more.

• Peek into Latchford’s heritage with photographs, maps, books and displays at Latchford Local History Day at St James’ Church in Latchford between 11am and 3pm.

(Image: Supplied)

• Sample music, dance, food and traditional arts and crafts bring sights, sounds and spicy aromas from around the globe at Warrington Mela in Palmyra Square from 11am to 5pm on Sunday, 15 September, to celebrate Warrington’s diverse heritage and help us develop community cohesion.

There are many other activities taking place across the borough.

You can view the full programme at wmag.culturewarrington.org/2024/08/29/heritage-open-days-the-full-warrington-list-2024 For more information about the national Heritage Open Days, visit heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting