Bracknell

This year's Heritage Open Days in Bracknell Forest feature a wide range of activities from making stained glass windows out of cellophane to visiting the private garden of a famous poet.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council has arranged for seven sites to be open to visitors free of charge between Thursday, September 6, and Sunday, September 9. The scheme is nationally co-ordinated by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage.

As well as special tours of sites already open to the public - including Lily Hill and South Hill Parks, there is the chance to vist private gardens, like Newbold College and Pope's Manor.

Some of the events have special activities for children, including special activity trails.

All events are free, but, some do need to be booked in advance.

Bracknell Heritage Officer Vikki Nisbett said: "The Heritage Open Days give a rare opportununity to visit and learn about some of the wonderful places in Bracknell Forest which are not always open to the public.

"As they are all free, it is a great way to learn about the history of our borough."

Cllr Iain McCracken, Executive Member for Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "The Heritage Open Days have proved to be very popular with residents of and visitors to Bracknell Forest, and this year we have a wonderful range of places to visit which I'm sure will cement the event into our cultural calendar.

"I would like to thank all the people and organisations who are making the Open Days the success they are by opening a building or answering questions from visitors."

This year's events are listed below.

St Michael the Archangel Church, Church Lane, Warfield, RG42 6EG
Thursday, September 6: 10am-4pm
Exhibition of Warfield's history which spans almost 1000 years and chance to look round the church and churchyard

St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church, Crowthorne Road, Easthampstead, RG12 7ER.
Thursday, September 6: 11am-2.30pm; Saturday, September 8: 10am-4pm; Sunday, September 9: 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm.
Guided tours of the church and churchyard, plus stained glass window making and activity trails for children, no booking is required. Festival evensong is at 6pm on Sunday.

Lily Hill Park and House, London Road, Bracknell, RG12 9FL.
Thursday, September 6, to Sunday, September 9: daily at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Tours of the park, and the house when it is accessible, led by the Council's Lily Hill Park project officer Richard Scrivener.

Pope's Manor, St Mark's Road, Binfield, RG12 5DA.
Saturday, September 8: 2pm.
A guided tour of the private grounds of Pope's Manor - the former home of poet Alexander Pope. Booking is required, call 01344 354441 or email rangers@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Newbold College Gardens, St Mark's Road, Binfield, RG42 4AN.
Sunday, September 9: 2-5pm.
Visit the grade II listed garden which was designed by Oliver Hill.

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA.
Saturday, September 8: grounds tour at 4.30pm and house tour at 5.30pm.
Tours of the historic grounds and the house which is now an arts centre. Booking is required, call 01344 351754 or email victoria.nisbett@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

St Michael and All Angels Church, Lower Church Road, Sandhurst, GU47 8HN.
Sunday, September 9: 2-5pm.
Open church and the opportunity to speak to members of the parish church council.

Bracknell Forest Borough Council