This year’s Heritage Open Days saw two CV Life venues welcoming 268 visitors across two event-filled weekends.
The events showcased Coventry’s cultural heritage through a series of tours and hands-on experiences at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and the Lunt Roman Form.
Heritage Open Days is an annual event in England, dedicated to celebrating the country’s diverse cultural and historical heritage. Held every September, the event allows visitors to explore historical buildings, landmarks and sites that are often not accessible to the public. Organised by the National Trust and funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, it is England’s largest festival of history and culture.
At the Herbert, highlights included the Undercroft Tours, which attracted 103 participants over four days, offering visitors an exclusive look at the hidden underground spaces of the museum. The Treasures of the Archives tour saw 26 participants, while Meet the Conservators brought in 73 visitors who were keen to learn about the care of historical items. Additionally, the Highlights Tours had 16 participants, despite only being advertised in-house.
The Lunt Roman Fort also drew visitors with 50 participants attending guided tours, providing an educational yet immersive experience in Roman military life.
Harriet Lovelock-Bruce, events coordinator at the Herbert, said: “The response to this year’s Heritage Open Days has been fantastic. It was a wonderful opportunity for visitors to engage with our city’s rich history in an interactive and accessible way. We’re proud of the work put in by the teams at both sites to bring these stories to life.
“Our staff are so passionate about their work and bring a breadth of knowledge to these events. Their enthusiasm is so infectious and it really elevates the customer experience so I want to say a huge well done to everyone involved as well as a massive ‘Thank you’ for making it a success.”
This year’s programme, which included both planned and in-house events, has laid the groundwork for future Heritage Open Days, with CV Life aiming to continue providing enriching experiences for the local community.