Heritage Open Days 2024 will take place from 6 to 15 September. Bridgwater will be participating with a variety of events and activities that showcase the town’s rich history and hidden gems. Bridgwater Town Council spokesman for all things historical, cllr Brian Smedley (Westover) said “Bridgwater loves its history so here’s an opportunity for people to get stuck in ahead of this years annual history day set for 28th November. There’s history all around us. Get looking and learning.!”

On Wednesday 11 September at 7:30pm in Victoria Park Community Centre, The Bridgwater & District Civic Society will be hosting a talk on “Bridgwater’s lost medieval castle”. Miles Kerr Peterson will delve into the history and archaeology of Bridgwater’s hidden medieval castle It is free admission for society members, £3 for non-members, more information at https://bridgwatercivic.org.uk/events/

The Bridgwater Arts Centre, the country’s first arts centre, will open its doors for guided tours on 9, 10, 11, and 13 September at 2:00pm. Visitors are encouraged to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour starts, with no booking required.

The Engine Room café and film centre will also be participating, offering visitors a chance to see and enjoy their newly refurbished café. Local archive films will be shown on their screens during café hours, visit https://www.somersetfilm.com/the-engine-room for more information.

On Saturday 14 September there are a number of events happening in and around Bridgwater.

Somerset Film will be digitising archive film from the C S John Sparkes Collection at Café Burtle (Burtle Village Hall) between 10:00am – 12:00pm. This activity is part of the A Village Apart, Villages Together project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Discover more about the project, see some of the archive that has captured local life and digitise some of the 8mm film.

The Somerset Brick and Tile Museum are hosting two tours on Saturday 14 September at 10:30am and 1:00pm. Booking is required via: https://swheritage.org.uk/events/heritage-open-day-tours/

Additionally, there will be a walking tour of Wembdon Road Cemetery at 10:00am organised by the Friends of Wembdon Road Cemetery. This free tour, led by Miles Kerr Peterson, will explore the history of the cemetery, notable stories of those buried there, and the restoration work by volunteers.

Blake Museum in Blake Street, Bridgwater, the house where Robert Blake is said to have been born, will be open as usual from Wednesday 11^, until Saturday 14 September from10:00am – 4:00pm (Last entry at 3:00pm). It is free to enter , however donations are always welcome.

For information on what is on offer throughout England for Heritage Open Days, visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/