A NUMBER of historic sites will remain open this week to celebrate Heritage Open Days.
Each September, thousands of volunteers across the country are invited to experience local history, architecture and culture.
Last weekend saw many places in Herefordshire open for free, including tours of Arthur's Stone, Clodock Mill and Hereford Cathedral.
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However, if you missed out, don't despair as many others will be open at various points this week.
Below is the sites where you can visit in Herefordshire.
16th Century Jacobean Room and Domesday Book
Visit one of Ledbury's oldest timber-framed buildings, which is currently used as the Town Council offices, and read through the county edition of the Domesday Book. The building at the bottom end of Church Lane is believed to date to the end of the 15th Century, with major restoration taking place in 1988. The Domesday Book will be displayed in the Jacobean Room for all to see from 10am to 3pm on Friday, September 15, and from 10am to midday, and 1pm to 3pm the following day (September 16).
Another historic room at Ledbury Town Council offices is the 16th Century Painted Rooms. The paintings were done in imitation of the expensive wall hangings and tapestries found in the homes of the aristocracy and have been dated to the mid 1560s. The house is believed to have been built as a new Booth Hall, with the Painted Room used as a Court of Piepowder. Guides will help you learn about its history fropm 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16, and from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday, September 17.
Burgage Hall (former Congregational Chapel)
Discover the Burgage Hall, up a tiny alleyway in the centre of Ledbury off the high street, and a living remnant of history from when this building was originally a black and white congregational chapel. It was rebuilt in 1832 in an austere classical style. For Heritage Open Days, a special exhibition of Victorian wedding and christening robes has been brought out of storage, with tea, coffee and soft drinks available. The hall will be open from 10am to 4pm on September 16 and 17.
Another Ledbury place that is opening its doors is a fascinating folk museum. Today it can be found in a pretty courtyard and has local exhibits including a selection of Victorian christening robes and old musical instruments. It will be open from 10am to 4pm every day from until September 17.
The new cemetery and its two chapels in New Street date from the 1860s. The chapels were designed by London architect Frederick Cockerill using local stone with Bath stone dressings. Visitors will also have access to the burial books from 10am to 1pm on Thursday, September 14 and Saturday, September 16.
Visit Eastnor Castle, the home of the Hervey-Bathurst family and discover the grandeur of the rooms with a guided tour. Heritage Open Day visitors will be given a guided tour of the state rooms and bedrooms on Thursday, September 14 after which you are welcome to enjoy the castle grounds, tree trail, arboretum, and lakeside walk.
Behind the iconic Market House in the centre of Ledbury there is a cobbled lane. Enter and you will feel like you are going back in time. This picturesque lane has been the historic route to the parish church since early medieval times. Today it is lined with historic buildings, the oldest dating back to the 1500s and many now open - free of charge.
Repair workshop at the Old Grammar School
Do you have a much-loved item that has been damaged? A Repair Workshop with a difference is at6 the Old Grammar School in Church Lane, Ledbury, which will explore how all sorts of everyday items were used and repaired in the past - with the aim of making things for today from yesterday. You can pop along from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 16.
Tours of Ledbury Poetry House in the Barrett Browning Institute
Come and find out about the history of the Barrett Browning Institute, take a tour of the building (including the top floor which is usually closed to the public) and hear about Ledbury Poetry’s plans for the Poetry House in this iconic building. You can visit at 1pm and 3pm from Thursday September 14 to Saturday, September 16.
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