Heritage Open Days: Remember To Visit The Lesser Known Venues Too

Published on: 27 Aug, 2022
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2022

This year’s Heritage Open Days takes place from Friday to Sunday, September 9 to 11 and there are many interesting buildings to visit with a wealth of history in the borough of Guildford, and all free of charge.

All the usual “big ones” will be open: the Guildhall, Guildford House, Abbot’s Hospital, the castle and the museum, the cathedral, Watts’ Gallery – Artists’ Village, Hatchlands Park and Clandon Park.

It total, there are 50 different locations to visit, and why not drop by to some of the perhaps lesser known ones and explore their hidden treasures too?

Here are a selection…

St Peter and St Paul Albury Old Saxon Church: a Grade I listed ancient Saxon church, which has more than 1,000 years of history and stands in the  grounds of Albury Park.

Vintage photo of Chilworth Village Hall

Chilworth Village Hall: the hall or ‘tin tabernacle’s’ centenary is being celebrated. Browse the display of then and now photos and discover its fascinating history.

Guildford Quaker Meeting House (The Religious Society of Friends): a Grade II listed building in Ward Street that opened in 1806.

Norbury Park Farm Cheese: See how Surreys famous cheeses are made during a tour of the dairy in Albury with demonstrations and cheese tastings.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Effingham.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Effingham: designed in the early English Saxon style and faced in flint, the church was consecrated by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark in 1913.

Rydes Hill Preparatory School: an early Georgian building, with Victorian extensions.

Shere Museum

Shere Museum: exhibits include a life-size replica bouncing bomb, the story of the 24 pre-Industrial Revolution water-powered mills of the Tillingbourne, 80 years of film-making in Shere, and more.

The Sime Gallery, Worplesdon Memorial Hall: the gallery shows the work of artist Sidney Sime who lived at Perry Hill, Worplesdon. Children’s workshops are available on the Sunday as well as an Illustrated talk on the impact of mechanical printing in the 19th century, plus refreshments in the Ta Ta cafe.

St Mary’s Church, Shalford: meet the bell ringing team, visit the ringing room and learn about the history of ringing – even try it yourself!

The Church of St Bartholomew, Wanborough: the smallest parish church in Surrey. Enjoy floral decorations, gaze at the wonderful boat-shaped roof and discover evidence of a fascinating past.

The Guildford Institute’s library, Ward Street: featuring an exhibition of treasures from its local heritage and history collection.

St Mary’s Parish Church, West Horsley.

St Mary’s Parish Church, West Horsley: join groups assessing its architecture, history, stained-glass windows and wall paintings. Children’s quiz, tea and cakes.

Guided walk around Ripley village: Send and Ripley History Society offers a 90-minute guided walk around the central part of the village that starts and finishes at the local history museum, which will be open to visit before and after the walk.

In addition, over the Heritage Opens Days there’ll  also be other guided walks including those by the Guildford Town Guides.

And the River Way Festival at the National Trust’s Dapdune Wharf takes place on the Saturday. It features local food and craft stalls, information stalls for the RSPB, British Canoeing, Surrey Wildlife Trust and many more. Children’s activities take place on the Adventure Island and include den building, bug hunting and more. It culminates with the illuminated boat pageant at dusk.

Details of all these, along with all the Guildford area venues taking part, can be found on the Heritage Open Days’ website Click here.

You can also visit Guildford Borough Council’s website for details.

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