We have a feast of opportunities for Heritage Open Days this year. Embracing the theme Architecture, we are holding events for all ages including families at Burgh Castle Fort and St Benet’s Abbey, with activities based around the buildings which we celebrate at these sites.
Burgh Castle Fort has one of the most intact Roman Walls of any of the sites across the whole of the United Kingdom. I have personally met experienced archaeologists who at the sight of this ancient monument have had tears in their eyes. There will be volunteers on site to talk about what we know of the building of the wall and what it’s purpose would have been, and life in and around this amazing fort. Children will be able to make their own miniature wall to take home, and learn how the wall was built. There will also be a trail to discover the life of a Roman Soldier and other craft activities too. This event will be held on Sunday 14th September and will be open between 11:00a.m and 3:00p.m. The church adjacent to the site will be open for viewing and refreshments will be available in the Community Hall in the village with thanks to them for their support.
At St Benet’s Abbey, another extraordinary feat of architecture, not least for it’s interloper windmill. Again we will have tour guides on site to share stories of St Benet’s Abbey and it’s residents. They will explain why this was the ONLY monastery which survived King Henry VIII dissolution. Again crafts will be available for children including making your own stain glass window using craft materials. There will also be a trail, telling the story of the Ludham Dragon. If you like a river walk, we have worked in partnership with Pathmakers and a tour guide will meet you at Ludham Bridge for a stroll along the River, pointing out all that is special to this area, and this will be followed by a tour of St Benet’s Abbey led by a NAT volunteer. This particular part of the event is by ticket only and tickets will be available from 27th August on this link: www.norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com After spending time with us at St Benet’s Abbey please head over to St Catherine’s Church in Ludham who will open their doors and offer tour guides to share their stories and links with the Abbey. You can also meet the Ludham Dragon in this place! With thanks to St Catherine’s Church who will be selling refreshments for their guests. This event takes place on Sunday 21st September.
Thanks to Adam and Linda we are able to offer tours at Caistor Roman Town and these will be ticketed events only. Again tickets are available from www.norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com Adam and Linda will look at how the Romans brought new building materials and techniques to the Britain and changed the landscape forever. There are 2 tours each day on 12, 13 and 14 of September. On 14 September our friends at St Edmunds Church on the site will be serving their annual cream teas which you might like to join in with.
Pykerells House, one of the few remaining thatched properties in Norwich, and is owned by The Trust, will open it’s doors on 17th September. There will be 3 separate tours and again admittance is by ticket only. Use the link www.norfolkhods.ticketsolve.com to book yours. Our grateful thanks to Nick who is our tenant in this property for opening his doors to allow you to see this remarkable space. Nick is a font of knowledge about the house he lives in and he will lead the tours supported by staff from NAT.
