Heritage Open Days 2024 - Maritime Heritage Round-up

Heritage Open Days returns 6-15 September 2024

Each September thousands of volunteers across the country invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture. All for free.

NHS-UK has compiled a list of the maritime heritage and historic vessel events taking part in this year's festival, see below for details.

See the full list of events on the Heritage Open Days website.

Friday 6 September

The Clay Days of Lady Daphne (Cornwall)
Open days onboard the historic 101 year old Heritage Thames Sailing Barge and NHS-UK Flagship of the Year 2024, Lady Daphne, in her original cargo port of Charlestown Harbour.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-clay-days-of-lady-daphne.html

Beverley - Barges on Beverley Beck (East Yorkshire)
Three restored boats on Beverley Beck: visits, tours on the historic barges Syntan and Sun, plus boat trips on Mermaid.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/beverley-barges-on-beverley-beck.html

Newark Heritage Barge (Notts)
Newark Heritage Barge Leicester Trader is the last 'Trent' size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company. On board is a museum and learning resource, explaining life and work on the River Trent barges.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/newark-heritage-barge.html

Saturday 7 September

Shardlow Inland Port Festival (Derbyshire)
A weekend of History, Heritage and Entertainment for the whole family.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/shardlow-inland-port-festival.html

Ipswich Maritime Trust on board Sailing Barge Victor (Suffolk)
Come on board the iconic 1895 Sailing Barge Victor, meet members of the Ipswich Maritime Trust, and discover more about our maritime heritage.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/ipswich-maritime-trust-on-board-sailing-barge-victor.html

Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society: Beck Hill Workshop (Yorkshire)
The Bridlington Sailing Coble Preservation Society was formed in 1983 to maintain, preserve and sail the last remaining 40-foot coble, Three Brothers, built in 1912 in Bridlington. Visit the workshop to learn more about traditional East Coast cobles and the work done by the Society.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/bridlington-sailing-coble-preservation-society-beck-hill-workshop.html

Time and Tide Museum (Norfolk)
An exciting opportunity to explore Time and Tide museum with free entry for Heritage Open Days.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/time-and-tide-museum.html

Barton Boat Yard (Lincolnshire)
Once Brown and Clapson's shipyard in the mid-19th century, the shipyard adjacent to Barton Haven is now dedicated to rebuilding and restoring vintage yachts. See boats under restoration, try your hand at carving, knots and lashings and gain insight into the skills behind vintage boat building.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/barton-maritime-centre-for-excellence-at-barton-boat-yard.html

Sunday 8 September

Baden Powell Fishing boat (Norfolk)
Baden Powell is the only survivor of Kings Lynn's cockling fleet.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/baden-powell-fishing-boat-ln138-2023.html

Monday 9 September

Tuesday 10 September

Wednesday 11 September

The Lost Wharves of Berkhamsted (Herts)
This guided tour identifies the sites and stories behind the many wharves which once existed along the banks of the canal and led to the growth of Berkhamsted in Victorian times. Visitors will learn of the importance of the canals to Berkhamsted. Pre-booking required.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-lost-wharves-of-berkhamsted-a-guided-tour-of-yesterday-s-canal.html

Thursday 12 September

Lydney Skiff Project (Gloucestershire)
Explore the work of a community based group building a skiff to row on the Severn. Learn about traditional boat building in the Forest of Dean.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/lydney-skiff-project.html

Friday 13 September

SULA Lightship (Gloucester)
Take a tour of the historic SULA lightship - booking essential.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/sula-lightship.html

Talk: This is your life - LV14 SULA Lightship (Gloucester)
Captain Colin tells you of the life of the historic SULA lightship. Pre-booking required.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/talk-this-is-your-life-lv14-sula-lightship.html

Newark Heritage Barge (Nottinghamshire)
Newark Heritage Barge Leicester Trader is the last 'Trent' size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company. On board is a museum and learning resource, explaining life and work on the River Trent barges.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/newark-heritage-barge.html

Saturday 14 September

Talk and tour - "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations" (Essex)
Guided tour of Steam Tug Brent and talk "TID Tugs and their part in the D-Day Preparations". three times over two days. Pre-booking required.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/talk-and-tour-tid-tugs-and-their-part-in-the-d-day-preparations.html

Barton Boat Yard (Lincolnshire)
Once Brown and Clapson's shipyard in the mid-19th century, the shipyard adjacent to Barton Haven is now dedicated to rebuilding and restoring vintage yachts. See boats under restoration, try your hand at carving, knots and lashings and gain insight into the skills behind vintage boat building.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/barton-maritime-centre-for-excellence-at-barton-boat-yard.html

Norfolk Wherry Trust
An opportunity to visit the Norfolk Wherry Trust boatyard, home of Albion, a 125 year old 'black-sailed' trading wherry. Experienced volunteers will show you around Wherry Albion and Forsythe's Boatyard, sharing the history and personal stories of this 125-year-old trading vessel.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/norfolk-wherry-trust.html

Steamship Shieldhall (Southampton)
Join the volunteers on Steamship Shieldhall, and visit the Engine and Boiler Rooms and Bridge on board a flagship of the National Historic Fleet! Located in the heart of Southampton's working docks, there's lots to see and do!
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/steamship-shieldhall-visit-a-flagship-of-the-national-historic-fleet.html

SULA Lightship (Gloucester)
Take a tour of the historic SULA lightship - booking essential.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/sula-lightship.html

Shipwreck Archaeology on the Beach (Hampshire)
Try your hand at shipwreck archaeology on the beach! Under guidance from the Nautical Archaeology Society learn how to record a real shipwreck, then use that information to discover the history of the vessel when it was still afloat...
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/shipwreck-archaeology-on-the-beach.html

The Lost Wharves of Berkhamsted (Hertfordshire)
This guided tour identifies the sites and stories behind the many wharves which once existed along the banks of the canal and led to the growth of Berkhamsted in Victorian times. Visitors will learn of the importance of the canals to Berkhamsted. Pre-booking required.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-lost-wharves-of-berkhamsted-a-guided-tour-of-yesterday-s-canal.html

Talk: Sailing for a Living (Gloucester)
A talk on boats, owners and sailors. Pre-booking required.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/talk-sailing-for-a-living.html

Sunday 15 September

Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour Association - Heritage Open Day on the Quayside (Essex)
Visit Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour, a national Heritage Harbour and climb aboard the Thames Barges Thistle and Hydrogen and the Steam Tug Brent as well as enjoy a range of maritime based activities on the quayside.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/maldon-heybridge-heritage-harbour-association-heritage-open-day-on-the-quayside.html

SULA Lightship (Gloucester)
Take a tour of the historic SULA lightship - booking essential.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/sula-lightship.html

Thames Barges Thistle and Hydrogen (Essex)
Climb aboard the iconic vessels, Thistle and Hydrogen, and explore the heritage that is the Thames Barges - synonymous with Maldon.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/thames-barges-thistle-and-hydrogen.html

National Waterways Museum (Cheshire)
Author/musician Tom Kitching, accompanied by mandola player, Marit Fält, will be performing a special storytelling and music concert tour, ‘Where There’s Brass’ at this free Canal Town event.
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/national-waterways-museum.html

Heritage Open Days 2024 - Maritime Heritage Round-up

Heritage Open Days returns 6-15 September 2024

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