SCAVENGER hunts, guided tours, talks, crafts and much more made this year's Winchester Heritage Open Days festival one of the best yet.
The festival, which took place between September 8-17, was a resounding success with nearly 140 free events attracting audiences from throughout Hampshire and beyond.
The year’s theme of ‘Creativity Unwrapped’ inspired event organisers, with drop-in events like the open City of Winchester Trust’s exhibition of paintings by local artists, or the St. Denys Church Scavenger Hunt supplementing the pre-booked one-off activities.
New events this year included visits to the Archaeological Investigation of the Central Winchester Regeneration, Family Fun in the Marvellous Middle Ages at Winchester College and Croissants & Cartouches at The Winchester Bakery.
Further afield Buckler’s Hard Museum was open for free while St Barbe Museum + Art Gallery in Lymington put on an action-packed programme during their Inspire Weekend which included live music, theatre, community art, talks, creative textiles, smashing pottery, snow queen storytelling and a stilt walker!
A highlight of the festival was a day of activities at The Great Hall in Winchester which included the debut performance by Winchester Poetry Festival’s artistic director Clare Pollard of her new translation of the 13th Century tale of Sir Orfeo - a poem full of kings, queens, fairies, music and Winchester landmarks.
There was also a 'taster' event for the English Project's Captain Swing Riots Review, dance sessions by the Hampshire Regency Dancers, and a Classic and Sports Car display by the MG Owners Club.
Other events across the county included open days and free entry at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton and Gilbert White’s House in Selborne, a literary tour of Winchester run by Dr Gary Farnell of the University of Winchester, calligraphy sessions run by Hyde900, and a Treasure Trail created by young artists of drawings and paintings of the buildings of Winchester High Street.
Nicky Gottlieb, festival director, said: "It was brilliant to once again run a full festival of events and activities which focussed on the history and heritage of Winchester and Hampshire. The ‘Creativity Unwrapped’ theme certainly inspired organisations and individuals, and the range of events presented was truly wonderful.
"We are extremely grateful to our funders and sponsors and would especially like to thank Winchester College, Winchester BID, the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council and Belgarum Estate Agents for their continued support.
‘Of course, the festival wouldn’t be possible without the team of volunteers who gave so much of their time and energy to making the Heritage Open Days festival such a success."
The festival was launched this year with a talk at Winchester College by historian Alice Loxton. This fundraising event also saw the launch of the Friends of Hampshire History Trust.
Winchester Heritage Open Days is organised by Hampshire History Trust, a local charity dedicated to connecting local people to the history of the area.
The next event is a coffee morning at Rick Stein’s restaurant in Winchester on November 9 at 9am.
Click the top image to scroll through the best pictures from the event.
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