Hidden gems on display
Some of the city’s stunning buildings that are rarely open to the public will be opened up this week.
Liverpool is playing a major role in the national Heritage Open Days event which runs from Thursday 10th September until Sunday 13th September.
And following on from the city’s amazing year as Capital of Culture 2008, when Liverpool piloted an extended event lasting 11 days instead of four, the city is hosting another extended period of events from the 10th –20th September.
Popular venues such as Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall and World Museum Liverpool will be open plus more undiscovered gems such as the Ancient Chapel of Toxteth, George’s Dock Ventilation Station, Daniel Adamson Steam Tug Tender, Liverpool Medical Institution, The Athenaeum and the Cunard Building.
Councillor Berni Turner, the city council’s historic environment champion, said: “Heritage Open Days are a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring local history and culture alive for everyone.
“Liverpool boasts some of the most impressive architecture in the country, many of which are not open to the public to view at any other time of the year. So people should take advantage and experience these beautiful and unique buildings on our doorstep.”
Nationally more than 4,000 venues open their doors and Liverpool City Council has coordinated one of the largest programmes in the country with around 58 venues - considerably more than Manchester with 33 and Nottingham and Sheffield with just 35 venues.
Heritage Open Days are a voluntary event, where organisers give up their time to open a wide range of properties to the public for free. This year a rich mixture of properties are open which fall under four categories: – Grand Designs, Innovation & Industry, The Great Outdoors and Sacred Sites.
A council 34 page colour guide on the Heritage Open Day sites is available from all Tourist Information Centres. For additional information access http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
