Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<p>Celebrate England’s&nbsp;local history, architecture and culture and have a nose around some of the fascinating places normally closed to the public or open for the first time –&nbsp;<em>for free</em>.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Open Days</a> is a nationwide event, with more than 260 locations to visit in Warks and the West Mids alone, running from Thursday 5 to 15 Sept. Just type in your postcode on the site to see what’s open near you. Here’s a taster.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moseley-hall-icehouse"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/moseley-hall-icehouse-in-moseley-park-pool.html">Moseley Hall Icehouse</a></h2>



<p>Usually you have to be a key holder to pretty Moseley Park, but visit on 14 or 15 Sept and you can have a snoop around one of the best-preserved icehouses in the West Mids. Make sure you leave time to visit one of the nearby pubs &#8211; <a href="https://www.thefightingcocksmoseley.co.uk/">The Fighting Cocks</a> has a lovely covered beer garden and award-winning <a href="https://www.theprincemoseley.co.uk/">The Prince of Wales </a>pub was built in 1860 and includes cigar shed, vin-cave and heated tiki bar.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hill-close-gardens-warwick"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/hill-close-gardens.html">Hill Close Gardens, Warwick</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-91-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hill Close Gardens" class="wp-image-57870" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-91-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-91-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-91-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-91.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>These 16 Victorian detached gardens are a world away from the bustle of nearby Market Square. They are one of the only surviving Victorian gardens and were recently restored after being saved from development. There&#8217;s an onsite cafe too serving up some great cakes so schedule a pit stop when its open on 7&amp;8 Sept.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winterbourne-house-amp-garden-birmingham"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/birmingham-honey-show-winterbourne-house-garden.html">Winterbourne House &amp; Garden, Birmingham</a></h2>



<p>On 7&amp;8 Sept Winterbourne&#8217;s seven acres of botanical gardens are open, but it&#8217;s all about their bees. See them in glass observation hives, watch live bee demos and meet local beekeepers. There&#8217;s also activities and stalls to keep you absolutely buzzing (sorry!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-king-henry-viii-school-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/king-henry-viii-school.html">King Henry VIII School, Coventry</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-92-1000x667.jpg" alt="King Henry's Coventry" class="wp-image-57871" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-92-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-92-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-92-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-92.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;re big fans of King Henry&#8217;s here at Muddy (<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-king-henry-viii-school-coventry-2/">here&#8217;s our review</a>) but if you fancy finding out more about its history there&#8217;s a tour of the school on 14 Sept. It has an illustrious past, founded by royal charter in 1545 with the school moving to the site in 1885 and then being bombed during the Second World War. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-mary-s-convent-of-mercy-birmingham"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-mary-s-convent-of-mercy.html">St Mary&#8217;s Convent of Mercy, Birmingham</a></h2>



<p>This Pugin-built 1841 covent of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy is still home to a small community of sisters. There&#8217;s guided tours around the convent on 6&amp;7 Sept including the beautiful chapel. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behind-the-library-scenes-tour-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/behind-the-library-scenes-tour.html">Behind the Library scenes tour, Coventry</a></h2>



<p>Well this is cool! This library is formerly the old Locarno Ballroom, where huge names like The Specials, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin performed in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Have a look around on 9, 10 or 13 Sept. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birmingham-botanical-gardens-edgbaston"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/open-day-at-the-gardens.html">Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-98-1000x667.jpg" alt="Birmingham Botanical Gardens" class="wp-image-57877" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-98-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-98-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-98-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-98.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Normally there&#8217;s an entry fee to the these pretty gardens, but on 14 Sept you can get in for free. They&#8217;re absolutely stunning with glasshouses, Japanese gardens and tropical rainforests and there&#8217;s some great places to eat like <a href="https://www.chapteredgbaston.co.uk/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=wix_google_business_profile&amp;utm_campaign=16282866622260298651">Chapter</a> and Michelin-starred <a href="https://www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk">Simpsons</a> nearby so you can make a day of it. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-mary-immaculate-rc-church-warwick"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-mary-immaculate-rc-church.html">St Mary Immaculate RC Church, Warwick</a></h2>



<p>This beautiful church was built in 1860 and designed by Pugin. But it&#8217;s real claim to fame is that it&#8217;s where Lord of the Rings author J. R. R. Tolkien married Edith Bratt in 1916. It&#8217;s open on 8 Sept. Fly, you fools!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbert-art-gallery-amp-museum-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/treasures-of-the-archives-herbert-art-gallery-museum-1.html">Herbert Art Gallery &amp; Museum, Coventry</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-93-1000x667.jpg" alt="Herbert Art Gallery Dippy" class="wp-image-57872" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-93-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-93-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-93-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-93.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s a few events taking part at this lovely gallery and museum throughout Heritage Open Days. Take a guided <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/treasures-of-the-archives-herbert-art-gallery-museum-1.html">behind the scenes tour</a> on 7 Sept or <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/meet-the-conservators-herbert-art-gallery-museum.html">meet the conservators</a> and see them in action examining, cleaning and caring for objects from the museum and archives on 13&amp;14 Sept. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medieval-encampment-at-bromwich-hall-west-brom"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/bromwich-hall-alive-medieval-mayhem-medieval-encampment-at-bromwich-hall.html">Medieval encampment at Bromwich Hall, West Brom</a></h2>



<p>Fed up of 2024? Take a step back to the 1400s on 14&amp;15 Sept at this Manor House and learn how to be a knight or soldier, join a medieval dance, learn about food, medicine and clothes and pack up a picnic to enjoy in the pretty grounds. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belgrade-theatre-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/belgrade-theatre.html">Belgrade Theatre, Coventry</a></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s the Belgrade&#8217;s debut with Heritage Open Days and on 7 Sept you can have a look around rarely-seen Cov artifacts in the Coventry Collection, which spans from the 16th century. There&#8217;s also vintage and artisan market stalls and guided theatre tours. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lickey-hills-birmingham"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/lickey-hills-heritage-weekend.html">Lickey Hills, Birmingham</a></h2>



<p>On 14&amp;15 Sept there&#8217;s multiple guided tours looking at the history of the pretty Lickey Hills. The highlights include a tour of the quarry (which is usually closed to visitors) with its a surviving First World War gun proof range.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lazarica-bourneville"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/serbian-orthodox-church-of-the-holy-prince-lazar-part-of-bournville-heritage-open-day-2024.html">Lazarica, Bourneville</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-96-1000x667.jpg" alt="Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar" class="wp-image-57875" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-96-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-96-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-96-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-96.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>How beautiful is this! On 14 Sept the UK&#8217;s first purpose-built Serbian Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar will open its doors to the public. It was built by exiled Serbs and their supporters in England with the help of the philanthropic Cadbury family and the late Sir Alfred Owen&#8217;s family.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vintage-bus-tour-rugby"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/rugby-vintage-bus-tour.html">Vintage Bus Tour, Rugby</a></h2>



<p>All aboard! Hop on a single decker bus on 11 Sept for trips around Hillmorton and Houlton, stopping off for refreshments on the way. The bus was built by Midland Red in Birmingham in 1968.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lunt-roman-fort-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/lunt-roman-fort-tours.html">Lunt Roman Fort, Coventry</a></h2>



<p>Join some Roman soldiers on 14 Sept to take a tour of the historic site which dates back to 60AD. It&#8217;s a two hour outdoor tour for adults so check if you need your waterproofs and walking boots &#8211; which let&#8217;s face it you probably will, this is Britain after all.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-mary-s-guildhall-coventry"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-mary-s-guildhall.html">St Mary&#8217;s Guildhall, Coventry</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-95-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57874" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-95-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-95-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-95-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-95.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Also in Cov there&#8217;s free entry on 14&amp;15 Sept to the guildhall right in the heart of the city. It&#8217;s a remarkable building (and recent awesome hosts to our Muddy Awards) and survived bombings in the Second World War. It&#8217;s also home to the Coventry tapestry &#8211; the oldest tapestry still in its original place and one of the city&#8217;s best kept secrets. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-marys-allotments-leamington-spa"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/st-marys-allotments-royal-leamington-spa-2024.html">St.Marys Allotments, Leamington Spa</a></h2>



<p>This site is only open for Heritage Open Days, so 7, 8, 14 or 15 Sept is the perfect time for a look around. I am lucky enough to have had a peek before, and its a gorgeous site with riverside chalets on the banks of the River Leam and brimming with pretty wildflowers on the eco plot, bees, birds, butterflies and you might even see a muntjac deer. There&#8217;s a mix of allotments and sheds, and even some water baths reclaimed from a Victorian Hospital.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visit-a-historic-tennis-court-warwick"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/discover-real-tennis-700-years-of-history-and-still-being-played.html">Visit a historic tennis court, Warwick</a></h2>



<p>Moreton Morrell tennis court is usually closed to the public, but on 7, 8, 14 and 15 Sept you can visit the court which was built in 1905. It&#8217;s the regarded of one of the best real tennis courts in the world, so grab your chance while you can!</p>


Secret spaces! Peek inside Warks & the West Mids hidden gems (for free!)

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