History festival returns to Doncaster

The Heritage Open Days Festival is England’s largest festival of history and culture and will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore places not normally open to the public and learn about the heritage on their doorstep.

Most events have free admission (although donations are welcome) and some events must be pre-booked.

The following events are scheduled to take place:

Barnburgh Dovecote, Barnburgh Hall Gardens, Barnburgh:-

An opportunity to view a well preserved 16th century octagonal dovecote, originally constructed as a wedding gift by Thomas More to his son John on his marriage to Anne Cresacre. It is estimated that the dovecote may have accommodated 2,000 birds. Open Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 11am-3pm.

Barnburgh St Peter’s Church:-

The church will be open on Friday 13 September 2-4pm, Saturday 14 September 10am-4pm and Sunday 15 September 12noon until 4pm. There will be a St Peter’s History Trial (Quiz), local choirs, history group exhibition, art group display, bell ringing and guided tours.

Cusworth Hall Walled Garden Open Day:-

This will take place on Sunday 22 September from 12noon until 4pm when Cusworth Hall’s very own secret garden will once again open to the public. There will be toys and games to enjoy and the Traditional Car Club of Doncaster will be displaying around 40 classic vehicles.

Doncaster: Discover the Sand House – a 90-minute guided walk:-

Meet outside Silverwood House, off St James Street, Doncaster, DN1 3RN. An opportunity to join Richard Bell, chairman of the Sand House Charity, on a walking tour of the locality of the Sand House, Doncaster’s unique Victorian Marvel. The Sand House and its tunnels and carvings may have disappeared, but the clues to their former existence can still be found. Please note the walk takes place at ground level. Sunday 22 September 2019 at 11am. Please note pre-booking is essential – contact Richard Bell on 07777 688438 to reserve a place.

Doncaster: Family History Drop In Session:-

The family history help desk is the temporary home of the Doncaster and District Family History Society. If you need help with your family history research or you are new to finding your roots, we are here to help. We are located on the second floor of Doncaster Central Library, Waterdale, DN1 3JE and the Family History Drop In session will run Thursday 19 September from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

Doncaster St George’s Minster Tower Tours & Talk:-

From Friday 13 to Friday 20 September, Doncaster Minister will be extending its opening hours to 10am until 4pm (12 noon start on Sunday 15 September). There will also be a unique opportunity to climb the tower on Friday 13 September at 2pm and Saturday 14 September at 10.30am and 2pm. Please note tower tours are limited to 12 people and there are 158 steps to climb. Tower Tours must be pre-booked on 01302 323748 or by emailing [email protected]. In addition, there will be a talk on Saturday 14 September at midday, delivered by local historian John Adam, who will speak about the people behind the rebuilding of the church in 1858 and the power they exerted to create one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in the country.

Kirk Sandall, St Oswald’s Church:-

This early medieval church, mentioned in the Domesday book, includes a later 16th century chantry chapel. It closed for worship in 1978 and is now in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. There will be an exhibition of local history photographs featuring the old village of Kirk Sandall, demolished in the 1970s; and the new community built nearby to accommodate the workforce of the new Pilkington’s Glass Factory in the 1920s. St Oswald’s Church is located in Sandall Lane, Kirk Sandall, DN3 1RA and is open Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September from 11am until 4pm.

Thorne St Nicholas Church, Stonegate, Thorne, DN8 5NP:-

This historic Grade I listed church will be open on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September from 10am until 4pm and from 12 noon until 4pm on Sunday 15 September. There will be a local history photographic display and tower tours can be arranged on the day.

For more information visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk