CHESTER’S celebration of Heritage Open Days runs over four days from September 9-12.

Once again the public has free access to a great variety of attractive and historically important buildings extending throughout Cheshire West, with a particular focus on Chester.

The organisers - Cheshire West & Chester Council in partnership with the Chester Civic Trust - have arranged for 49 buildings to be opened in locations stretching from Hooton, Parkgate and Neston in the north down to Shocklach in the south and Northwich in the east.

New entries this year including Chester Town Hall, Hooton Park Hangers, the Commercial Hotel, Cherry Grove Primary School, Walk Mill in Waverton, St Mary’s Church in Weaverham, St John’s Church in Hartford, Parkgate and Neston United Reformed Church, and Chester Little Theatre.

In response to popular demand there is also an increased number of free tours and events during the four days of the celebration, all given by Blue Badge Guides and local volunteers who have specialist knowledge of our local history.

City guides and experts are offering a huge variety of free walking tours in the core of the historic city centre and to other historically important city sites such as the Racecourse, Railway Station, Shropshire Union Canal, and Queens Park.

In addition to tours in Chester city there will be guided walks in a number of villages including Tarporley, Tarvin and Neston.

At the launch of the event, Councillor Hilarie McNae, champion for the Historic Environment in Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:

“Chester has a good track record in celebrating Heritage Open Days and I am so pleased that this year we are to open buildings and provide guided walks in a selection of villages and towns throughout West Cheshire.

“This year is particularly notable in that we celebrate two anniversaries - not only the centenary of the birth of LTC Rolt, who was born in Eaton Road and in his lifetime campaigned tirelessly for the restoration of our historic canal network, but also the Golden Jubilee of Chester Civic Trust.

“Our local buildings are one of the best free shows around, and are there to be enjoyed so please do take a look around you and visit at least some of the wealth of buildings that are open to view.”

A local leaflet gives all the details of these and of much more. They are available from Chester Visitors Information Centre in the Town Hall Square, Chester Visitors’ Centre in Vicar’s Lane, the Grosvenor Museum, History and Heritage in St Michael’s Church, and local branch libraries.

Details are also available online at www.heritageopendayschester.co.uk.

Organised by Cheshire West and Chester Council in partnership with Chester Civic Trust, Heritage Open Days happens thanks to a large numbers of local voluntary societies, building owners and volunteers who are very happy to welcome the public to drop in and look around a selection of our stunning architectural heritage.

Nationally, Heritage Open Days is co-ordinated and sponsored by English Heritage.