The restoration of St Walburge’s- one of today’s attractions

Day three of Heritage Open Days weekend, exploring the hidden gems of Preston, is the busiest and liveliest yet, but where to start?

We’ve hopefully made that decision a little easier by narrowing in on all of the logistics of eleven of the best tours and visits on offer this Saturday. The Heritage Open Days website has a full breakdown of everything in Preston and the surrounding area.

Heritage Open Days offers the chance to explore the history and, in some cases, the modern day areas of our city in a free weekend of learning and fun.

From booking information to the location of the attraction, we’ve got some of our favourites covered.

Saturday September 12

Preston Historical Society and Preston Minster Church Street, Preston Lancashire, PR1 3BT

Why not visit the Preston Historical Society exhibition during their annual open day, which is in conjunction with the Heritage Open Days. The society will be exhibiting a large collection of artefacts and ephemera from historical Preston.

Guided tours of the Minster will be held at 11.00am and 2.00pm., where you can discover many historical facts about this ancient church.

There will be a screening of some special film shows from Preston’s past showing vanished buildings and streets sadly lamented by many Prestonians.
You may even spot yourself in one of the 1972 Preston Guild films that will be shown on the day.

Several committee members from the society will be dressed in period costume. Feel free to join us if you wish.

You can view Preston Guild objects from 1902 and even a Guild Merchant Programme from 1762. On show will be dresses made by Horrockses, one of the greatest names among Preston cotton manufacturers and experience the hands-on feel of the cotton shuttles as used in the weaving process.

There will be some special features and games for the children, which will give them an insight into the way people used to live and work in Preston and how they used to manage with only very basic facilities.

See and hold a Blue Plaque, of the type installed on buildings for commemorating various notable people and places around the city and find out about the required procedures for the installation of a new plaque.

Admission will be free and refreshments available, including home made vintage confectionaries.

Open: 10am until 4pm  All ages welcome.  Access: Full wheelchair access.

More information can be obtained by email on info@prestonhistoricalsociety.org.uk
or the Preston Historical Society Facebook page.

Preston Cleansing Department Argyll Road, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 6JY

Preston Corporation Refuse Destructor, Argyll Road 1886. Pic: Preston Digital Archive

Discover the fascinating history of dealing with Preston’s rubbish at the former Preston Corporation Refuse Destrucor. Tour the buildings established on the site of a ‘manure depot’ in the 1880s to collect, sort and burn waste.

The stables for the council’s horses still have their original fittings. Meet outside reception building.

Ring 01772 253731 or email tourism@preston.gov.uk

Tours: 10am, 11am and 1pm  Access: Full wheelchair access.

Avenham & Miller Parks Avenham Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8JT

Happy Little Clouds – footbridge near Avenham Park that crosses River Ribble

One of Preston’s favourites parks from a completely new angle on a walking heritage tour. The 60-90 minute tour offers a look at the creation of the parks and their major features – Belvedere, Swiss Chalet, Boer War Memorial, Fountain, Derby Statue and Grottos.

Tour: 2pm

There is a maximum of 20 people per tour, but no booking is required. Good footwear is recommended. Also open Sunday.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery Market Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2PP

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery standing tall in the city centre

Another Preston favourite, The Harris Museum and Art Gallery, is opening its doors to something different with tours of each of its feature available throughout the day. Visit the Egyptian balcony or learn virtually the history of the Harris Museum in the Battle of Britain.

Open: 10am until 5pm (Egyptian Balcony open 1pm until 3pm).

Tours: Architectural Gem tour 12pm. Virtual Egyptian Balcony tours: 1pm and 2pm.

There is a maximum of 12 people per tour, but no booking is required. This event is not suitable for the under 7’s.

Hidden ‘Art Nouveau’ 1 and 2 Lune Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2NL

Lune Street

An exclusive for the Heritage Open Days! Now a furniture shop, but once late Victorian offices on Lune Street. They open their doors to original interior for the event alone.

Open: 10am until 5pm.

There are no tours for this location, but no booking is required. Also open Sunday.

Lancashire Archives Lancashire Record Office, Bow Lane, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2RE 

Reading room at Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane

Areas inside Lancashire Archives that are not usually available to the public will be open for tours as well as a special look at local history, particularly in an exhibition looking at archives from the Battle of Preston 1715.

Open: 10am until 6pm.

Tours: 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm

No booking is required.

Museum of Lancashire Stanley Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 4YP

The Museum of Lancashire

More history lessons on the Battle of Britain are to be had at the Museum of Lancashire where visitors will get the chance to meet a solider and hear stories on the outskirts of the old 1715 battlefield.

Open: 10.30am until 4pm.

There are no tours for this location, but no booking is required. This event is not suitable for the under 7’s. Also open Sunday.

Preston Dock and Riversway Control Centre Preston Marina, Navigation Way, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2YP

Looking out on Preston docks

Chance to visit the control tower overlooking Preston docks and Riversway, as well as learning about its history in the city. Tour and self-guided trails on offer.

Tours: 10.30am, 11.30am and 1pm.

Booking is preferred: Call 01772 253731 Email: tourism@preston.gov.uk

Booking closes: 11 September 2015 5pm

There is a maximum of 15 people per tour.  This event is not suitable for the under 16’s. Also open Sunday.

Preston Masonic Hall Ashlar House, Saul Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2QU 

Masonic regalia and museum pieces will be on view, as well as the chance to visit lodge rooms and learn from guides about the history and role of masons in Preston.

Open: 11am until 4pm.

Tours: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm.

No booking is required.  Also open Sunday.

Preston Railway Station Fishergate, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 8AP

Preston Railway Station

Preston Railway Station as we know it dates all the way back to 1880 and by World War I, there were 15 platforms. Learn all about this, and more with guided tours around the station building and grounds.

Tours: 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Meet at information kiosk in waiting room on Platforms 3 and 4.

There is a maximum of 10 people per tour. No booking is required. This event is not suitable for the under 10’s. Also open Sunday.

St Peter’s Church – UCLan Arts Centre St Peter’s Square, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE

The space inside St Peter’s Church is now used as an arts centre at the UCLan and so is not usually open to the public. Here though, is the chance to see the rennovated interior and a look at how the space inside has been transformed to accommodate its new guests.

Open: 10am until 12pm.

Tours: 10am and 11am.

No booking is required.

St Walburge’s Church Weston Street, off Pedder Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 2QE 

Fancy climbing that spire? Get yourself down to St Walburge’s next Saturday

St Walburge’s offers a fantastic opportunity that shouldn’t be missed – the chance to climb the highest parish church spire in the UK. Not for the faint hearted with its spiral staircase but there’ll be plenty to see with two feet firmly on the ground too, including its 1000 seat capacity interior.

Open: 11.30am until 2.30pm.

There are no tours for this location, but no booking is required. This event is not suitable for the under 5’s. Also open Sunday.

All of the events listed above are open on day three of four throughout the Heritage Open Days weekend.