Churches across Worcestershire and Dudley are opening their doors for this year’s Heritage Open Days with a range of activities for all ages and a chance to discover the story behind our historic churches and the communities they serve.
This year’s Heritage Open Days take place between 6 – 15 September and are an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, community and history; exploring hidden places and trying new experiences. A number of churches are hosting events which will be completely free to attend.
St Gregory’s Church, Castlemorton – 6 – 15 September, 8am – 6pm. Visit the historic church any day and join with hymn singing followed by refreshments on Sat 7 September, 10am.
St Mary and All Saints’ Church, Kidderminster – 7 September, 10am – 2pm. Visit this church to see a fine collection of 19th and 20th Century stained-glass and several 15th Century memorials which reflect the prestige of Kidderminster
as a woollen town in the Middle Ages. Climb the tower and see the bells being rung. Refreshments will also be available.
St Peter’s Church, Cradley, Halesowen – 7 September, 10am – 2pm. Trace your Cradley ancestors with our local history experts, see a Black Country Blacksmith in action making chain, climb the tower to learn about the bells and have a go at spinning wool. Finish the day with a free organ concert at 2pm with big screen! Refreshments available.
Top Church, Dudley – 7 September, 1.30 – 4pm. Step into history and witness a masterpiece reborn with the restoration of the East Window. It features the Transfiguration of Christ and is a captivating testament to the artistry of Joseph Backler and Benjamin West. Journey through time with a new innovative digital tour and watch as characters from the past spring to life, unravelling tales of faith and resilience. There will also be a drama workshop for children.
St Mary and All Saints Church, Hampton Lovett, Droitwich – 7 and 8 September from 10am. Hampton Lovett's railway and footpath connections are featured in the exhibits this year. See a working model of the local railway, the church and the old Cutnall Green Halt and hear about Operation Starfish in World War II. Discover the Monarch's Way footpath passing through the churchyard, the escape route of the future King Charles II after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Learn about Hampton Lovett's connection with the Royalist cause and the hidden secrets of the 14th Century tower.
St James’ Church, Badsey – 7 and 8 September, 10am – 4pm. Come along and see the historic church, its monuments, medieval graffiti and Commonwealth war graves. The bell tower will be open for tours, and there will be guided walks of historic village buildings at 11am & 2pm starting at the church.
St Mary’s Church, Hanley Castle – 7 – 14 September, 2 – 5pm. Enjoy an exhibition exploring the routes to and from St. Mary's Church and how they illustrate the connections between the people of the parish and the outside world. Discover links to King John, Bishop Bonner, P. G Wodehouse, the Order of St. John, Thomas Attwood MP and the Lechmere family. Follow the Wyche Way, the Upton to Malvern Railway, the River Severn and the Via Regalis through ancient fields, modern agriculture and God's creation. Read local stories from local people celebrating their links with their local church.
St Peter’s Church, Powick – 11, 13 & 14 September, 10am – 4pm. Try your hand at bell ringing and find out more about the church’s role in the Civil War. Tour the church to discover its history and many connections in the community.
Holy Trinity Church, Link Top, Malvern – 11 September, 2 – 4pm. Enjoy tea and cake in Elgar’s Church to the accompaniment of the organ. Learn about the church’s history and enjoy the beautiful stained glass and early Edwardian decorations in the Chancel; the ceilings being painted with symbols of the passion and the walls with Apostles, angels and stencilled tracery and colonnades.
St James Church, Malvern – 13 – 15 September, midday – 4pm. An exhibition bringing together new research into the windows in St Edward's Orphanage chapel, the lockdown Churchyard project, a display of books about West Malvern, and information on the new pilgrim space being created in the churchyard.
St Stephen’s Church, Redditch – 14 September, 10am – 4pm. Climb Redditch’s tallest tower, have a go at bellringing, explore the history of the church and delve into the archives. Children’s activities available as well as details of the church’s visionary future plans.
St Laurence’s Church, Alvechurch – 14 September, 10am – 4pm. Visit this Grade II listed church, designed in part by William Butterfield, within one of Worcestershire's largest enclosed churchyards. The programme of events will include bell ringers, teddy parachute from the Bell Tower, storytelling, village school choir, children's / adults dancing demonstration, Morris Dancers, Bournville sailing and boating club display, Vintage cars on display along with children's activities, refreshments and much more!
St Augustine’s Church, Holly Hall, Dudley – 14 September, 10am – 2pm. Enjoy a photo display of old Holly Hall/ Woodside and surrounding areas as well as a display of Church Banners / access to Florence Camm stained glass windows and find out about the stories behind the names on the War Memorial. There will be a Children's scavenger hunt and refreshments including homemade cakes.
St Michael’s Church, Brierley Hill – 14 September, 10am – 3pm. Tour the oldest building in Brierley Hill with its memorials, beautiful stained-glass window and family friendly treasure hunt. Have a go at bell ringing and give your teddy the thrill of a lifetime when it parachutes from the top of St Michael's Tower.
St John’s Church, Bromsgrove – 14 September, 10.30am – 3pm. Join the Friends of St John's for a "Delightful Duets" Cake and Coffee Concert, then have a go on the organ, climb the medieval bell tower, ring the bells, marvel at the views, build a model church, search for keys, go on a treasure hunt and much more!
Worcester Cathedral – 14 September. Enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral from a different angle with a tour of the gardens, explore the marks left on the building by those who built it with a historic graffiti tour and hear about the lives of the Monumental Women involved in the Cathedral. There will also be a family-friendly hands-on introduction to the historic graffiti with children’s activities.
The Church of St Edmund, King and Martyr, Dudley – 14 September, 11am – 2pm. The church of St Edmund, King and Martyr stands on a site dating back over 1,000 years. Partly destroyed during the Civil War, it was rebuilt in 1724. Find out more about the church’s history through free leaflets and knowledgeable guides.
Great Malvern Priory – 14 September, 2.15pm. Join a one-hour tour of the Church led by guides of the Friends of the Priory. Learn about Misericords, C15 Malvern-made tiles, the CS Lewis wardrobe and much more!
St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove – 14 & 15 September. Explore a comprehensive display of artefacts relating to the salt industry / John Corbett, the local canal network aiding the transport of many goods throughout the midlands and beyond. In addition to this, the history of the church, school and the people in the local community will be available with exciting plans to take the church forward.
Christ Church, Catshill, Bromsgrove – 14 September, 10am – 4pm and 15 September, 11am – 4pm. Explore this 185-year-old Country Church with historic links to the poet A.E. Housman and the scientist Alan Turing, beautiful stained-glass windows and war graves. Memorial Books will be on display and refreshments will be available.
Find out more at www.heritageopendays.org.uk.
