Saturday, September 1, 2012

Llan throws open its historical doors

Some of Llangollen’s most historic buildings will throw open their doors to the public next weekend.
Open Doors is a free event which happens every September and is Wales’ biggest celebration of architecture and heritage.
It also features a programme of guided walks, tours but pre-booking may be necessary as organisers say space is often limited. 

Highlights from the programme next week are: 

Saturday and Sunday 

St Collen’s Church
10.30am-4pm Saturday and 1.30pm-4pm
on Sunday.
Booking: booking not required.
Access: fully accessible.
Guides will be available throughout the day to
talk about the oldest established institution in
Llangollen.


* St Collen's Church.

 Plas Newydd Talks
Time: 11am and 2pm. Talk lasts about one hour.
Booking: pre-booking required.
Access: accessible to ground floor.
Talks on the gardens, the carvings, the history of
the Ladies of Llangollen and Plas Newydd since
the time of the Ladies. Casual visitors will be
charged an entry fee. 


* Plas Newydd.

Llangollen Steam Railway Engineering Works
Time: 11am and 2pm both days.
Booking: pre-booking required.
Access: fully accessible
Since the reopening of the Llangollen Railway
in 1975 the organisation has built up a fully
functioning Engineering Workshop. Meet at
works entrance on Abbey Road adjacent to St.
John’s Church. 

Valle Crucis Abbey Guided Tours
Time: 11.30am and 2.30pm both days.
Booking: not required.
Access: accessible to ground floor.
Costumed guided tours by the custodian. The
Abbey will be open to casual visitors from
10am-5pm 

The Castle in the Air – Dinas Brân in
fact and fantas
Time: 12 noon-2pm.
Booking: not required.
Access: not accessible, steep climbs and good
walking shoes required.
Come and experience the history, myth and
magic that is Dinas Brân, the wonderful hill fort
and ruined castle which stands above Llangollen.
Sarah Pevely, community archaeologist and Ruth
Moore Williams, singer, musician, storyteller and
historical comedian will take you on a journey
back through time in the place where it all
happened
The event will be cancelled in severe weather
conditions. If the weather is poor please ring
01978 861958 by 10am to check if it’s happening. 

The Old Lock Up
Time: 12 noon-4.30pm.
Booking: pre-booking of sessions required.
Access: low step (2 inch), accessible to standard
width wheelchairs.
Owner, Sue Hargreaves, will give a talk and lead
sessions on researching the history of your
house at 3pm each day (please pre-book). She
will also show visitors around and there will be
an exhibition of the history of The Old Lock Up.



* The Old Lock Up.

Canal Pump House
Time: open 2pm-4pm.
Booking: not required.
Access: not accessible.
British Waterways will explain the history and
workings of the pump house which controls the
flow of water at the Horseshoe Falls into the
canal. Free parking at Llantysilio Green. NGR
SJ19500 43214. 

Saturday only 

A History Tour of Llangollen with
“Sarah Ponsonby”
Time: 10.30am, tour takes approx 90 mins.
Booking: not required.
Access: accessible – this is a street tour.
Meet at the Museum, Parade Street 

Wildlife Walk
Time: 1.30pm, walk takes approx two hours.
Booking: pre-booking required.
Access: good walking shoes recommended.
A walk with Rhun Jones, Denbighshire’s Senior
Countryside Warden, taking in Dinas Brân and
the Dee Valley. Meet outside the Tourist
Information Centre, Y Capel. 

History of Llangollen Pottery - Town Hall
Time: 2pm, talk takes about 45 minutes.
Booking: not required.
Access: there is a lift to the exhibition area.
An illustrated talk on the history of Llangollen
studio pottery. 

Motor Museum Tour
Time: 4pm (Saturday only).
Booking: pre-booking required.
Access: fully accessible with parking.
With more than 60 vehicles from cars to invalid
carriages and pedal cars, a 50s village garage
scene complete with owners quarters, the cars
that Granddad used to drive and a small exhibition
showing the history and development of our
canal network.
The museum is one mile out of
Llangollen on the road leading to the Horseshoe
Pass. NGR SJ20629 43588. 

Sunday only 

The Archaeology of Llangollen
Time: 10.30am and 1.30pm. Tour takes approx
two hours.
Booking: pre-booking required.
Access: accessible – this is a street tour.
A walk through Llangollen with Fiona Gale,
County Archaeologist, exploring Llangollen’s
history through its buildings. Meet outside the
Tourist Information Centre, Y Capel. 

For more information, call: 01824 706778, e-mail: heritageinitiative@denbighshire.gov.uk,
or wrie to: Open Doors Coordinator, Caledfryn, Smithfield Road, Denbigh LL16 3RJ

 

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