Exploration of Milton Keynes’ past continues this weekend, with more 70 free Heritage Open Days events as part of the city’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Admission will be free at key attractions including Milton Keynes Museum, Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney, Buckingham’s Old Gaol Museum, Claydon House and Chandos Hall Museum in Newport Pagnell.
And a host of other local venues, historic sites and churches will be opening their doors with hands-on activities, performances, archive film screenings and guided tours exploring many facets of Milton Keynes’ rich heritage.
Think Milton Keynes has little history? Total MK visited St Lawrence's Church in Broughton and discovered 500 year old medieval wall paintings.
Guide Barry Wadeson is a wealth of knowledge and we advise a visit this weekend!
With so many free activities taking place across the city and surrounding towns and villages, there's something for all the family. At MK50 Heritage Open Days, you can:
Get out and about: explore Central Milton Keynes’ landmark artworks and the local legacy of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, or take guided heritage tours in Bletchley, Wolverton, Shenley Wood, Great Brickhill, Willen, North Crawley, Woburn Sands, Sherington, Winslow and elsewhere
Meet the past face-to-face: quiz members of the Western Front Association about World War One, chat to volunteers restoring the Buckingham Canal, or consult a family history expert
Engage with art: tour the city’s largest art collection at Milton Keynes Hospital, explore the Japanese connection with the Gyosei Art Trail or enjoy a day of artist-led demonstrations at Milton Keynes Arts Centre
Look in at your local library: Central Milton Keynes, Wolverton and Stony Stratford libraries are all hosting events, and CMK has designed the Young Heritage Hunters Trail especially for 4-14s
Do something different: try your hand at playing Stony Stratford’s restored Willis pipe organ, take a trip back to 1967 in Simpson and Woughton, watch Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court in action, or see how our ancient ancestors dealt with rubbish and recycling
Have fun: at Bradwell Abbey's Medieval Family Fun Day, Milton Keynes Museum's ever-popular Open Days BBQ, Beer and Cider Festival, Festive Road’s puppet workshop, and much more besides
Liz Gifford, Milton Keynes Council Cabinet Member for Place including Heritage, said: “Throughout this year our MK50 programme is bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary. Heritage is an essential part of the MK50 story – we are celebrating the history, architecture, design, landscapes, art, culture and people that have gone into making Milton Keynes the amazing place it is today.”
Mel Jeavons of Heritage UK said: “Heritage Open Days 2017 are at the heart of MK50, and we invite everyone to join in these free and inclusive events and discover more about the rich and fascinating heritage on their doorsteps.”
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