Cheltenham Heritage Open Days: Unmissable walks, talks & workshops

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture, with free walks, talks and tours encouraging families and friends to get out and unearth the secrets of their towns.

This year, Cheltenham Civic Society has revealed its biggest-ever programme of events for Cheltenham Heritage Open Days, running from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 September 2024, with 73 open buildings exploring the themes of “Secret Places” and “Connections – Routes – Networks”.

To help you get stuck in with the week, we've rounded up a selection of the most intriguing Heritage Open Days events happening in Cheltenham.

All the events are free, but where places are limited tickets must be pre-booked via email: [email protected]

Walks, Talks & Workshops

 

Workshop: The History of Cheltenham in 7 People

For ages 6-10

Saturday 7 September 10am and 1pm

Book your place at [email protected]

Taking place in the Wilson’s Play! House exhibition, this workshop will allow your little ones to create a short show about the history of Cheltenham based on 7 key local figures. Using sets, props, costumes and even instruments, to create an exciting performance that parents and guardians can enjoy. In collaboration with The Everyman Theatre.  

 

Walk: Votes For Women!

Sunday 8 September at 11.30am and 2.30pm

Book your place at [email protected]

A short, illustrated stroll through the centre of Cheltenham to discover where important events took place in the campaign for women’s right to vote.

 

Walk: Town Centre Public Art Trail

Sunday 8 September, 2pm

Book your place at [email protected]

An introduction to some of the town centre’s public art and the Cheltenham Public Art Trail. Featuring statues of local heroes, tucked-away works of art by internationally acclaimed artists, and historic structures by the men and women who helped build Cheltenham.

 

Talk: Booze, Balloons and Burials

Tuesday 10 September, 11am

Book your place at [email protected]

Local historian Neela Mann takes you on an exploration of the history of the lower High Street area of the town in this illustrated talk.

Talk: William Hill Knight - Architect, His Works and Life

Sunday 8 September, 2.30pm

Book your place at [email protected]

The Synagogue was William Hill Knight’s first commission at the age of 22, and he went on to design several classic buildings in Cheltenham, many of which are still in use. Find out more about the importance of this little-known architect to the town.

 

Walk: A People’s Park and Wildlife Corner

Thursday 12 September, 10.30am

Book your place at [email protected]

A walk on the northern side of the lower lake, describing the history of the West side of Pittville Park and its wildlife. Stops at three habitat boards will describe how the park provides a green corridor for a range of wildlife.

 

Talk: Thugs or Martyrs – The Leckhampton Rioters

Saturday 14 September, 2.30pm

Book your place at [email protected]

Paths people had walked on over Leckhampton Hill for years were blocked when Henry Dale bought the hill in 1897. Thousands of people tried upholding the rights of way with demonstrations year after year, but it took a group of local working men to stand up to Dale. Neela Mann tells the story.

 

Tour: Cheltenham Steam Trains

Sunday 8 and Sunday 15, 10.55am

Book your place at [email protected] & purchase an ‘All-Day Rover’ Ticket here gwsr.com/your-visit/tickets-fares

Steam Trains between Cheltenham Racecourse and Broadway – How Did That Happen? Find out on this special Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway round trip journey from Cheltenham Racecourse, through Broadway & Toddington, with a presentation about the railway at Winchcombe. Please note that train travel must be pre-booked with a 5% discount – see brochure for full details and T&Cs.

Open Buildings and Events

Over the 10 days, some buildings and events don’t need to be pre-booked and are free to explore.

New for 2024 is the South Cheltenham History Festival where, through a series of talks, you can learn more about South Cheltenham and the upper Bath Road at its core.

Also, new this year are Cheltenham Bridge Club, housed in an early Victorian style semi, the Cheltenham Hindu Temple where you will be welcomed and any questions answered, an ‘open house’ at The Everyman Theatre, and The Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham’s oldest art space.

There are two talks at St Philip and St James as well as guided tours of the Crypt and Columbarium, and a talk at St Christopher’s Church in Warden Hill with its ten splendid Thomas Denny stained-glass windows. Other churches including All Saints, Cambray Baptist Church, Cheltenham Minster, Christ Church, St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, and St Lawrence’s church all have events, exhibitions, talks and concerts.

Find out more about Katherine Parr - Gloucestershire’s Queen, and Hindus, Evangelists and Sanskritists at two talks on Monday 9 September – no need to book, just turn up.

In the village of Sherborne discover more about the Memorial Plaques of the Dutton Family.

Finally, catch the Mummers play on Sunday 8 September from 12.30pm around town for a Cheltenham version of a traditional Mummers play. Not to be missed!

Download the brochure for more details of opening dates and times.