FREE entry across Shropshire Museums & Archives for Heritage Open Days
In celebration of the Heritage Open Days, Shropshire Museums and Archives are waiving entry fees and putting on special events to create a unique visitor experience.
Running from Thursday 7 September until Sunday 10 September 2017, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Shrewsbury Castle, Shropshire Archives and Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, are each offering free entry and special events to visitors.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for Culture and Leisure, said:
“Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the UK so it’s great to see Shropshire Museums and Archives getting involved.
“As well as the amazing things to see and do at each site, visitors will get to go behind the scenes and see and do things that are only available a very limited number of times a year.
“I’d encourage everyone to make the most of this great opportunity and get to our sites… and it’s free!”
Loyd Grossman, Patron of Heritage Open Days, said:
“At a time when many of our heritage sites, museums and buildings of cultural interest are under increasing economic pressure it’s heart-warming to see the number of Heritage Open Days events continue to grow. Our army of volunteers play an important role in championing our wonderfully diverse local heritage, opening up doors and keeping access free for these very special four days every year. We are keen to encourage people to stand up for the places that are important to them by bringing to life their stories for everyone to enjoy.”
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Mammoth bones found in Condover on display at Shrewsbury Museum Art Gallery
On Sunday 10 September, visitors to Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery will be able to enter for FREE and see the amazing collections telling over 750 years of history in Shrewsbury and Shropshire.
Usually £4.50 for adults, you will get to see some of the best preserved mammoth bones in the UK, one of the finest geology collections as well an entry to Antarctica: Life in a hostile land and Synthetic Landscapes.
Guided town tours
As well free access to the Museum’s galleries on Sunday 10 September, you can explore the Medieval town of Shrewsbury on a free guided town tour, which usually cost £7.50. Advanced booking is advised to ensure your place.
Tour dates and times
Thursday 7 September: 2pm
Friday 8 September: 2pm
To book your place on one of these free guided town tours, call 01743 258888.
Shropshire Archives
Behind the scenes at Shropshire Archives
Your chance to see behind the scenes at Shropshire Archives including the stores where over 5 miles (9 kilometres!) of records are housed in environmentally controlled conditions as well as the conservation and reprographics sections. A selection of our fantastic collections will also be on show including the recently conserved minute books of Much Wenlock Borough dating from 1495-1810.
Tour dates and times
Thursday 7 September: 2pm
Friday 8 September: 2pm
Pre-booking is essential. To book your place call 0345 678 9096 or email archives@shropshire.gov.uk.
Shrewsbury Castle
Sunday 10 September will see a rare occurrence at Shrewsbury Castle… the opening of Laura’s Tower.
Open one day a year for the Heritage Open Days festival, making your way to the top of Laura’s Tower will give you truly unique views across Shrewsbury making it a special opportunity not to be missed.
Visitors will also be able to enter the Castle Grounds and Shrewsbury Castle housing Shropshire Regimental Museum for FREE.
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
Toddler meets the lambs at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
With its’ of range of young and adult farm animals, working farm demonstrations and much more, Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is a perfect family day out. And… on Saturday 9 September, it’s FREE.
As well as free admission, the Farm is also holding extra demonstrations and behind the scenes guided tours so you can learn more about the workings of a Victorian Farm, and maybe, just maybe, get a little closer to the baby animals!
For more information, call 01694 781307 or email acton.scott.museum@shropshire.gov.uk.
Ludlow Museum & Resource Centre
The Shropshire mammoth in the stores at Ludlow Museum & Resource Centre
Treasures of Shropshire
Enjoy a free 20 minute talk about the ‘Treasure’ acquired by Shropshire Museums through the Treasure Act. This talk focuses on artefacts held in the stores at Ludlow Museum Resource Centre and you’ll have the chance to hold some of the amazing treasures.
Saturday 9 September, 11 am – 12 noon
Following the talk you’ll have the chance to visit the Geology Store and view Shropshire’s other giant treasure, the MAMMOTH!
About Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country; in 2015, over 4,800 events welcomed around three million visitors across England.
Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said:
“This is the second year that players have supported Heritage Open Days, which continues to grow, not only in the number of events, but the diversity and quality of activities right across England. We look forward to seeing thousands of people sharing the hidden histories on their doorstep and making a difference to their communities this September.”
