Free displays, music performances, dance, living memories and workshops are taking place for all to enjoy at Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery, Peterborough Cathedral, St John’s Church and St. John’s Square during Heritage Open Weekend, September 12-20.
As well as seeing inside the city’s iconic heritage buildings for free, stories from around the city will be celebrated, shared and presented through conversations, displays, films and installations.
As part of World of Stories, six community projects have been co-created with Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery in partnership with Peterborough Cultural Alliance and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, to demonstrate the ways cultural traditions and heritage are being preserved in the city today linking Peterborough to the wider world and helping to shape the city today.
Bengali Sanskriti Club will be displaying textiles and objects that hold personal migration stories passed down in generations, members of Macedonians in the East will share recipes, traditional costume and dance performances in St. John’s Church and St John’s Square.
Come and explore Balanic Chants performed by Peterborough Nepalese Society, find out about how the community in West Raven first developed in the 1960s and see creative responses from young people working with High Heritage exploring their personal African heritage and identity in the city today.
Artist Robina Akhtar will be creating a vibrant and stunning installation outside of Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery inspired by a traditional Kashmiri homestead and as a place to capture generational memories.
No booking is necessary and all activity is free entry.
Other local venues to visit and explore as part of Heritage Open Days (12-20 Sept) include:
Flag Fen Archaeology Park
On 19-20 September visitors can explore Flag Fen Archaeology Park free of charge. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers, enjoy family activities, heritage craft displays and jewellery-making demonstrations.
Guided walk of Norman Cross
Come on a guided walk around the fascinating site of the Norman Cross Napoleonic Prison Depot. Volunteers will bring the story of this unique heritage site to life. Pre-booking required.
Peterborough Cathedral Highlights Tours
20 September – a free, guided, ground floor tour and free, guided, upper levels tour. Pre-booking required.
Peterborough Lido
12 September – enjoy a free swim and soak up the atmosphere in the Art Deco Lido. Pre-booking required
Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery 19 September – meet the resident Archaeologist and discover how we use the things lost and thrown away c.3,000 years ago, to help us build a picture of what everyday life was really like in the Bronze Age at Must Farm.
St Andrews Church, Northborough
12 September – visit the tomb of Elizabeth Cromwell and the grave of "The Poet's Wife" Martha Clare. Personal tours available on request.
St Margaret's Church, Fletton Multiple dates available . View the Saxon Stones. Trace your family history. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings. View the Great War memorial and learn about the men who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thorney Heritage Walk 16 September – a visit to Thorney. A good look at Thorney Abbey, then a walk through the historic village to the community museum.
For more details visit the venues’ websites.
1. Macedonian in the East costume.jpg
Macedonians in the East will share recipes, traditional costume and dance performances in St. John’s Church and St John’s Square Photo: supplied
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Artist Robina Akhtar will be creating a vibrant and stunning installation inspired by a traditional Kashmiri homestead Photo: supplied