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Heritage Open Days in Eden 2024

Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture

Event Date

06 September 2024

12:00 AM

This event occurs daily from
06 Sept 2024 to 15 Sept 2024

£

Description

It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all of which are FREE to explore.

Heritage Open Days 2024: 6th to 15th September. 

Eden events include (more to be confirmed):

7th September

Acorn Bank's Dorothy Una Ratcliffe - In Her Own Words at Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, CA10 1SP

See and hear Dorothy Una Ratcliffe's poetry in the Kitchen at Acorn Bank. Supported by a Vintage Book Sale organised by the Secondhand Bookshop volunteers.

Acorn Bank Watermill Come and see the 19th Century mill in action and learn about the progress made in restoring the second waterwheel to working condition.

6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th September 10am to 4pm.

James Clarke of Penrith (1745-1790) - Surveyor and Topographer of the Lake District at Penrith and Eden Museum, Middlegate, Penrith.  Small display with free leaflet about James Clarke of Penrith (1745-1790) Surveyor and Topographer of the Lakes.

6th to 15th September - Upper Eden Visitor Centre - Window display celebrating historical routes

8th September - Celebrating Historical Routes Walk - Kirkby Stephen’s past roads

We will explore Kirkby Stephen’s past routes with this 4-mile walk via Wharton. Coffin bridge, fords, medieval lanes, holloways, deer parks, droving routes, toll road, and disused railway.  4 miles, easy.

Meet: At 10.30am at Upper Eden Visitor Centre, Market Street, Kirkby Stephen.  Booking: waw@uppereden.org.uk

9th September - Celebrating Historical Routes Walk - Belah Viaduct and Packhorse roads

The walk is a delightful circuit of the hidden Belah Valley. The route visits the remains of a famous Belah Viaduct designed by Sir Thomas Bouch built in wrought and cast iron in 1857. At 196 feet it was the tallest bridge in England but sadly demolished in 1963. The route then passes the old gamekeeper’s cottage, Tufton Lodge, and reaches the ‘lost hamlet’ of High Ewebank. This settlement was once at the junction of packhorse roads from Kirkby Stephen to Bowes and to Richmond in Yorkshire. It was clearly a busy place, with no fewer than three inns in the 1850s and numerous dwellings.

From High Ewebank the path drops deeply down to the River Belah and we return via the buttress on the other side of the viaduct, crossing the river to climb to the farmhouse at New Hall, thence along the lane to the walk start.   4 miles – 2 hours Moderate.  More information is available on the Walking World website.

Meet: At 10am.  There is no public transport to Barras. Best place to leave your car is in the field over the cattle grid opposite the Mouthlock Chapel, now a holiday home. Barras is reached from the A685. Take the road off the A685 signposted to Kaber and Barras (and Tan Hill) for about four miles until the chapel appears on the right. Turn left to go over cattle grid.

Booking: waw@uppereden.org.uk

12th September - Celebrating Historical Routes Walk - From Roman Road to turnpike at Street, Ravenstondale 

A short walk around Cote Moor exploring the Roman Road and encampment together with other local history. Refreshments are available after the walk at the Fat Lamb where there is an impressive collection of automobilia and retro collectables on display in the museum bar.  2 miles.

Meet: At 10.45am at The Fat Lamb, Crossbank, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LL

Booking: waw@uppereden.org.uk

13th, 14th and 15th September

Moot Hall Council Chamber, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, CA16 6YB.  Recently refurbished (2022), the Moot Hall is still used for its original purpose. Official Town Council Business is conducted in the Council Chamber, just as in centuries past. Downstairs now hosts the Tourist Information Centre and Exhibition.

14th September

Tower Tours at St Andrew's Church, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7XX.  The Tower will be open for tours throughout the day. While booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, you can turn up on the day for any slots still available.

14th September - Castles of Penrith - The Nevilles and the Cliffords

Come along to learn more about the Nevilles and Cliffords, two powerful Northern families of Cumbria.
The event starts at Penrith Castle and continues at Brougham Castle.

• Talks by EH Volunteer Joanna on the Nevilles at Penrith at 12pm and 1pm
• Talks by EH Volunteer Mark on the Cliffords at 1:30pm and 2:30pm

Talks last for approximately 45 minutes.

14th and 15th September

Restoration of the oldest working Signal Box in the world built in 1861 by the Stockton and Darlington Railway at Stainmore Railway Company, Kirkby Stephen East Station, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LA

Multiple dates available in person Pre-booking not required. The return to working order of a long-abandoned signal box constructed by the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1861.