2:24pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By James Dwan
HISTORY buffs are invited to explore Colchester’s hidden Heritage as part of a special event.
More than 30 sites across the country’s oldest recorded town will be opening their doors free of charge as part of English Heritage’s Heritage Open Days from September 9 to 12.
People will have an opportunity to explore a variety of historical buildings, including Colchester Castle, the Town Hall, Bourne Mill, Colchester Royal Grammar School and St John’s Abbey Gatehouse.
A special free service on a vintage 1939 bus will also be running on the Saturday to ferry people to sites such as the Colne Light Ship at the old Hythe Port, and the Latin art collection at Essex University.
Clive Stacey, learning officer at Colchester and Ipswich Museums, said: “Colchester has much to offer from more than 2,000 years of history.
“Visitors can see a burial tumulus from the Iron Age period, see inside buildings dating back hundreds of years, visit a mill with working water wheel, and board a barge and ship at Colchester’s port.
“Colchester Castle will open its doors on September 11, and on September 12 visitors can take themed walking tours of Roman and Civil War sites.”
Mr Stacey said the highlights of the tour included the 14th century Peake’s House and the 15th century building now occupied by Sparling Benham & Brough, both in the Dutch Quarter.
“St John’s Abbey Gatehouse will be very special for people to see as it is the only time of the year it is open to the public,” he said.
Other attractions include a treasure trail, behind the scenes tours of the Mercury Theatre, tours of the Town Hall, and a chance to get a bird’s eye view of Colchester from the top of the tower of the Arts Centre.
Last year more than 10,500 people visited sites across the town.
Trudi Hughes, from English Heritage, said: “People will be able to get on the wonderful vintage bus, which will take them around the sites and to the Hythe Port and to Bourne Mill, originally built as a fishing lodge in the 16th century.
“These heritage open days have gone from strength to strength and really give local people an opportunity to encounter their local heritage.”
In Harwich, people will be given an opportunity to see the only British example of a two-wheeled, man-operated treadwheel crane, at St Helen’s Green, which was built in 1667.
For details of the buildings, opening times and bus routes, call 020 7539 7907 or view www.heritageopendays.co.uk
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