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Get set for Exeter’s Heritage Open Days

Published: 30 August 2024

Exeter's Underground Passages

Exeter’s history comes under the public gaze in a week’s time as some of the city’s most fascinating buildings open up their doors for free as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days.

Running between 6 and 15 September, Heritage Open Days 2024 will be celebrated at venues across Exeter and the rest of England, showcasing sites that are not usually open to the public or otherwise charge an entry fee.

Among the Exeter venues taking part are Tuckers Hall, The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, St Nicholas Priory, The Devon & Exeter Institution, the Underground Passages, Exeter Custom House and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery.

Cllr Bob Foale, Lead Councillor for Arts, Culture and Tourism, said: “Heritage Open Days is a fantastic opportunity to take a step back into Exeter’s past and enjoy some of the city’s most fascinating buildings for free. I can’t wait!”

Heritage Open Days is managed nationally by the National Trust with financial support from the People’s Postcode Lottery and Historic England. It is England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event. Last year the event attracted over 3 million visitors.

Exeter's programme has been co-ordinated by Exeter City Council, and includes a wide range of tours, talks and openings, offering a unique opportunity to visit some of Exeter’s most interesting and unusual historical sites and buildings for free!

Highlights this year include:

  • Writers Around Exeter – a new Red Coat Guided Tour exploring Exeter’s literary connections
  • Printmaking and Paper Heritage Day – Exeter Phoenix
  • Exeter Community Centre and St David’s Walking Tour
  • The Best of Times – The Worst of Times – a talk at St Stephen’s Church exploring the way people lived in the Middle Ages
  • Exeter Library’s Special Collection: A ‘White Glove’ Experience
  • Quay Words presents Ian Mortimer: The road to Exeter – from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century – held at the Custom House on Exeter’s quayside
  • Plus many, many more

For the full listings and booking information, go to the Visit Exeter website 

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