Norfolk

Fancy a sneaky peek behind the doors of Norfolk’s most intriguing buildings, especially those that are normally inaccessible? Well, this is your chance, as the annual <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Open Days</a> is back from&nbsp;Fri 6 – Sun 15 Sep, including both drop-in and bookable events such as tours, talks and walks. With more than 200 open day events taking place, it’s hard to know where to start. To give you a steer, we’ve rounded up the unmissable opportunities to access buildings and areas normally closed to the public – all for free.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre-tours-across-norfolk-nbsp"><a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/whats-on/search-2024-events.html?searchQuery=&amp;locationQuery=Norfolk&amp;startDate=2024-09-06&amp;endDate=2024-09-15&amp;distance=-1&amp;sortBy=alphabetical&amp;view=list&amp;site_category=theatre-cinema-arts-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatre tours</a>, across Norfolk&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56040" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2024/08/Main-Auditorium-door-open-squ-scaled-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Have a root around backstage at local theatres, which are lifting the curtain on all the behind the scenes action for Heritage Open Days. First up, <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/stories-from-norwich-theatre.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich Theatre</a> is offering a theatrical exploration into the theatre archives with fun activities like the theatre Family History Trail which all ages can get involved with, Sun 15 Sep. While <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-garage-heritage-open-day-with-the-creative-wellbeing-project-includes-print-making-building-tour-and-cake.html">The Garage</a>&nbsp;will be celebrating its 20the anniversary on Sat 14 Sep&nbsp;where as well as a whirl through its history, a sneaky look backstage and a chance to get hands-on in a print-making workshop, there&#8217;s also tea and cake. Sold!



Over at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/norwich-puppet-theatre.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich Puppet Theatre</a>, pop in to peek behind the curtain, spot the memorials to mayors and sheriffs, and take in the cool architecture of its St James&#8217; Church home, Sun 15 Sep. Another former church worth your gaze is the Grade I listed home of <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/norwich-arts-centre.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich Arts Centre</a> which is opening its doors for a nosey Fri 6 Sep and includes a talk about its history by current theatre director, Pasco-Q Kevlin, at 3pm.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/unnamed-copy-2-1.jpg" alt="Cromer Pier" class="wp-image-32856" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/unnamed-copy-2-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/unnamed-copy-2-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/unnamed-copy-2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/04/unnamed-copy-2-1-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Elsewhere, head backstage, do a sound check and rig the lights at the Victorian <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/corn-exchange-2024.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s Lynn Corn Exchange</a>, before heading down to King&#8217;s Street and having a poke around <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-guildhall-of-st-george-shakespeare-performed-here.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guildhall of St George</a>. Here you&#8217;ll walk in Shakespeare&#8217;s footsteps (seriously), soaking in all the history of one of the oldest working theatres in the UK, both Sun 8 Sep.



Culture by the coast sound up your street? If so, have a nosy around Gorleston’s Edwardian&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/gorleston-pavilion-theatre-guided-backstage-tours.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pavilion Theatre</a>&nbsp;(on&nbsp;Fri 6 Sep&nbsp;and then from&nbsp;Mon 9&nbsp;&nbsp;–&nbsp;Fri 13 Sep), which is throwing open its doors for guided backstage tours, which last about an hour. And lastly, new this year, <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/cromer-pier-pavilion-theatre.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cromer Pier and the Pavilion Theatre</a> is also getting in on the action with a brass band providing a spot of fanfare to proceedings. Visitors will learn all about the history of the 151-metre-long Victorian pier, the summer show, now in it&#8217;s 76th year, and have a sneak peak at some of the costumes worn over the years, Sun 8 Sep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-former-hospitals">Former hospitals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Lazar-House.png" alt="Lazar House" class="wp-image-43864" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Lazar-House.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Lazar-House-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Lazar-House-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Lazar-House-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



We get it – having a gander at some old hospitals might not be your idea of a dream weekend but trust us, whether you’re a history buff or just like a mooch about lovely buildings, they’re well worth a look! Take&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/lazar-house.html">Lazar House</a>&nbsp;– as old as Norwich Cathedral, the unassuming flint building in&nbsp;Norwich&nbsp;was once a leper hospital. Opening its doors to the public for one day only on&nbsp;Sun 15 Sep, it’s a rare chance to find out more about its intriguing past – including as the city’s first branch library – dating back 900 years. Then there&#8217;s the former&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/dr-hills-the-thorpe-asylum-and-beyond-1861-1915-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk County Asylum</a> found in the pretty suburb Thorpe St Andrew. Though a lot of it’s now housing, the site still has plenty of original features, and the tour on Fri 6 Sep will cover the fascinating period from 1861 up until it became a war hospital. Fascinating stuff.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Royal-Naval-Hospital.png" alt="Royal Naval Hospital" class="wp-image-43869" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Royal-Naval-Hospital.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Royal-Naval-Hospital-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Royal-Naval-Hospital-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Royal-Naval-Hospital-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Got a history know-it-all in the fam? They won’t want to miss the chance to explore&nbsp;Great Yarmouth’s&nbsp;Grade II* listed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/royal-naval-hospital-great-yarmouth-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Naval Hospital</a> site, which was built in 1811, cared for sick soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars and even took in casualties from the Battle of Waterloo. It’s since been turned into homes and is usually off-limits, but on&nbsp;Sat 7&nbsp;and Sun 8 Sep&nbsp;we’re allowed to have a look around the impressive site, which is centred around a charming lawned courtyard. There’s no booking needed, so just pop along whenever suits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-behind-the-scenes-at-top-shops">Go behind the scenes at top shops</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Jarrold.png" alt="Jarrold" class="wp-image-43862" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Jarrold.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Jarrold-800x600.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Jarrold-768x576.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Jarrold-700x525.png 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



See your fave Norwich retail therapy go-to in a new light thanks to Heritage Open Days,&nbsp;including local treasure&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/jarrolds-history-tour.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jarrolds</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;Thu 12 Sep, when there’ll be a whistle-stop tour through the unseen changes to the building, which was first opened in 1823, including the creation of the iconic corner overlooking the marketplace. Then hop over to indie gem&nbsp;<a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/thorns-diy-paintings.html">Thorns</a>, where there’ll be a makeshift art gallery among the screwdrivers! They’ll be displaying some paintings thought to date back to the 18th century which were first discovered in the 1950s and will be on display from&nbsp;Fri 6&nbsp;–&nbsp;Sun 15 Sep&nbsp;in the tool department (9am to 5.30pm, or 10am to 4pm on Sundays).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heritage-gems">Heritage gems</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Hunstanton-Lighthouse.png" alt="Hunstanton Lighthouse" class="wp-image-43861" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Hunstanton-Lighthouse.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Hunstanton-Lighthouse-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Hunstanton-Lighthouse-768x511.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Hunstanton-Lighthouse-788x525.png 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The gorgeous <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/visit-to-former-hunstanton-lighthouse.html">Hunstanton lighthouse tower</a> is a holiday home, but we’re getting a rare chance to sneak in on changeover day and it’s one to mark in the diary, we reckon. Head down to the impressive dungeon and then climb the stairs to the top of tower to take in the stunning views over the Wash and sunny Hunny. You’ll hear all about the history of the 19th century lighthouse, which served until 1922, and the nearby Marconi listening station. That’s on&nbsp;Fri 6&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fri 13 Sep.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Norwich-School-Chapel.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-35057" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Norwich-School-Chapel.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Norwich-School-Chapel-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Norwich-School-Chapel-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/09/Norwich-School-Chapel-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Of course Norwich Cathedral is the star of The Close, but you can visit it any old time. This is a rare chance to step inside <a href="https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/norwich-school-chapel.html">Norwich School Chapel</a> (on&nbsp;Mon 9, Wed 11&nbsp;and&nbsp;Fri 13 Sep). Over its long history it has been a school, an air raid shelter, and vault to store the bones of ancestors whilst families awaited their resurrection. A guide will be on hand but you can also explore it at your own pace and there’s no need to book.

Secret Norfolk – get VIP access at Heritage Open Days

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