Learn more
By Matthew Slocombe
Published 3 October, 2012
Matthew Slocombe is Director of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and author of the Shire book ‘Traditional Building Materials’.
Professionals and specialist organisations can offer help and advice, but useful too is to learn through visiting buildings, sites or historic places. Visiting offers a way to consider construction, design, decoration and presentation. These organisations and schemes offer great opportunities for learning more:
Heritage Open Days
Thursday 12 September to Sunday 15 September, 2013
Each year some of England’s fascinating buildings open their doors for Heritage Open Days. Over four days in September the public are able to visit places they would not usually have access to.
http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
London Open House
Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 September, 2013
Over 700 buildings open up to visitors for a weekend every September. For two days in September this is an opportunity to see inside some of the capital’s old and new building not usually open to the public.
http://www.londonopenhouse.org/
Museums at Night
Thursday 16 May to Saturday 18 May, 2013
Museums, galleries and heritage sites across the UK put on after hours cultural events during three nights in May.
http://www.culture24.org.uk/places+to+go/museums+at+night/
Festival of British Archaeology
Saturday 13 July to Sunday 28 July, 2013
Learn about archaeology and local heritage at 1000 events across the UK. Museums, heritage sites, parks and local societies are some of those offering excavation days and behind the scenes visits.
http://festival.britarch.ac.uk/
English Heritage
Opening times dependent on location
Learning and events for families and adults are offered at selected castles, houses and other buildings.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/
National Trust
Open times dependent on location
Events and activities for families and adults are offered at selected castles, houses and other buildings.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
Other contacts
Archival Resources
Understanding can also be helped by carrying out your own research
in County Record offices, local history libraries and the National Archive. Information about the resources held can be found through Access to Archives