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ENJOY GUIDED TOURS, VISITS AND WALKS ACROSS THE ISLE OF MAN THAT BRING LOCAL HERITAGE AND CULTURE TO LIFE.
ENJOY GUIDED TOURS, VISITS AND WALKS ACROSS THEISLE OF MAN THAT BRING LOCAL HERITAGE AND CULTURE TO LIFE.
It’s always enjoyable writing this foreword to the Heritage Open Days. Over the years the event has become embedded in our annual programme and it’s clear than many of you look forward to it with considerable enthusiasm. It originally started on the Island with the idea of opening up places that were normally hidden from view or diffi cult to access. Eleven years later it has become a celebration, not just of the built heritage but of many different aspects of Manx culture.
This year has been a challenging one because of Covid19. Whilst at the time we are organising the event the Island has had a period of “local elimination”, our planning assumption is that we have to be ready to adapt if the infection re-surfaces. So the programme is smaller and based on sites and activities we know can be safe. We will need to be ready to change or even cancel things at short notice so we will ask everyone to book in advance so we have their details. The positive side of this is that we have been able to create a more focused programme which harks back to the original aim of opening up hidden places to explore.
As ever, whilst MNH organises HOD it’s very much a community event across the entire Island. Enjoy it!
Edmund SouthworthDirector, Manx National Heritage
Silverdale Glen
Welcome to Heritage Open Days 2020. All the events this year are bookable and our guided tours have limited places.
We recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. Bookings open on Wednesday 16 September at 7pm.
Visit manxnationalheritage.im to book tickets directly via Eventbrite. This enables you to manage your own bookings, join waiting lists and be notified of any changes.
• You will be given further directions to some bookable tours when you have been successful in gaining a place. There is no need to bring printed tickets with you as we maintain a register.
• If you have booked a ticket and can no longer attend please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite or let us know. We always have a waiting list!
• You will be notified by email if an event is cancelled for any reason.
Our programme this year has been designed to keep you and our event organisers safe. This includes:
• Smaller tour sizes so we can facilitate social distancing.
• Hand washing and/or hand gel stations available.
• All events bookable to enable contact tracing.
• More outdoor events.
Please help us to keep everyone safe by not attending any Heritage Open Day events if you feel unwell with COVID related symptoms.
Participants take part in Heritage Open Days at their own risk. Most events take place in historic buildings with uneven floor surfaces or in the countryside.
We know that some people might prefer to take part in an outdoor event this year. We have indicated these events with
Please note: guided tours usually involve standing and/or walking some distance. To help you decide which events might suit you best we have indicated with the guided walks that involve walking some considerable distance over rough terrain. For all walking tours please wear sensible footwear and appropriate clothing. Bring snacks and water if required.
Events indicated with a symbol have been assessed as fully accessible to wheelchair users. Other events and tours may be partially accessible or accessible with assistance. Please note not all participating venues have accessible toilets.
Most of our events are suitable for families with history enthused younger children, but to help you decide we have indicated certain events that we feel are ideally placed to engage children.
Unless specified in the event listing only registered assistance dogs are permitted on Heritage Open Days events.
For further details about any Heritage Open Days event pleaseemail [email protected] or call 01624 648048
Old St Matthews Church, Douglas by JM Nicholson
1 Andreas Guided Walk with Blue Badge Guide Peter Beighton
2Ballaglass Glen - Discovery Walk with Blue Badge Guide
Marinda Faragher
3 Ballaughton Nursery Guided Tour, Douglas
4 Braddan Cemetery Guided Tour
5 Old Braddan Church with Frank Cowin
6Castletown Guided Tour - One for the Road…
Where to get a drink in Castletown?
7Civilian Internment during the Second World War -
Living with the Wire Lecture at the Manx Museum
8 Visit to Cronk Howe Mooar (Fairy Hill), Ballafesson, Port Erin
9 Conserving Peggy, Braddan
10 Old Douglas Guided Tour with Blue Badge Guide David Killip
11Gateway to Old Douglas,
Isle of Man Family History Society Exhibition
12An Introduction to the Mystery of the Druidale Stone Circleswith the Manx Footpaths Conservation Group
13 The Gaiety Theatre Guided Tour, Douglas
14 The Gaiety Theatre Self-Guided Tour, Douglas
15 Government House & Gardens Tour, Douglas
16 Groudle Glen Walk with Island Heritage Tours
17 Isle of Man Railways - Tours of the Strathallan Horse Tram Depot
18 Kirk Christ (Rushen Parish Church) Churchyard Guided Tour
19 Knock-e-Dhooney - Ice Age to the Vikings
We recommend booking your place early as events sell out quickly.
We recommend booking your place early as events sell out quickly.
20Langess Arch Geological Excursion - From Deep Seas
to Flash Floods & 150 Million Years of Missing Time
21Manx National Heritage Archives - Behind the Scenes
with Library & Archives Conservation
22Manx National Heritage Large Object Store Guided Tour, Ballasalla
23 The Masonic Temple & Former Pavilion Cinema, Peel
24Maughold Church & Churchyard Guided Tour -
Brigands, Crosses and Keeills
25 Natural History Collection Guided Tour, Manx Museum, Douglas
26Nunnery Chapel & Grounds Tour with a visit
to the Mansion House
27An Onchan Way Guided Walk with the Isle of Man
Natural History & Antiquarian Society
28 Peel Castle Conservation: How Do You Maintain a Ruin?!
29Peel Schools through History Guided Tour with
Peel Heritage Trust
30Peveril Camp Guide Tour - ‘Sorry to Detain You: Stories of the Peveril Camp in Wartime Peel’
31Public Record Office - Time Travel with Archives: Mann 100 Years Ago Exhibition & Behind the Scenes Tour
32Ramsey Guided Walking Tour
with Blue Badge Guide Peter Beighton
33Silverdale Glen - The History of Silverdale Glen & Surrounding
Area with the Manx Footpaths Conservation Group
34 Smeale Farm Heritage Tour, Andreas
35 St John’s Mill - The Power of Water
36 St Thomas’ Church - The Murals & the Pipe Organ
37Transatlantic Slave Trade Guided Walk
with Blue Badge Guide Phil Craine
38 Tynwald - Behind the Scenes Tour, Douglas
For full up-to-date information,visit our website: www.manxnationalheritage.im
1. Andreas Guided Walkwith Blue Badge GuidePeter Beighton
Join Blue Badge Guide Peter Beighton on a
guided walking tour of Andreas. Discover
some of the hidden gems of Andreas, in the
village, the churchyard and neighbouring
fi elds. Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
3OCT
9OCT
10am, 11.30am 10am, 11.30am, 2pm, 3.30pm
2. Ballaglass Glen – Discovery Walk with BlueBadge Guide Marinda Faragher
Join Blue Badge Guide Marinda Faragher on a
guided walk amidst Ballaglass Glen’s beauti ful autumn colours to discover evidence of
milling and mining, farming and families.
What happened here in the past?
Booking required. Approx 2 hours.
3OCT
11OCT
2pm 2pm
3. Ballaughton Nursery Guided Tour, Douglas
This tour provides an insight into how
Douglas Borough Council’s Park Services produce plants for the Town at Ballaughton
Nursery and how the management of the
Town’s parks and open spaces is undertaken.Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
3OCT
10OCT
10am, 1pm 10am, 1pm
4. Braddan CemeteryGuided Tour
Join Church warden Caroline McDonald
for a guided tour through this historic
cemetery and discover more about some
of the interesti ng graves and memorials.Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
11OCT
2pm, 3.30pm
5. Old Braddan Churchwith Frank Cowin
Join local historian Frank Cowin for a
seated talk to discover more about the
ancient monuments connected with this
historic churchyard. Booking Required.Approx 1 hour.
11OCT
2pm, 3.30pm
6. Castletown Guided TourOne for the Road…. Where to get a drink in Castletown?
Join Blue Badge Guide and resident of
Castletown, Helen Leigh, for a short guided
walk in the ‘Home of Prize Winning Ales’. Highlighting where Castletown inhabitants and tourists alike would have looked for
suitable liquid refreshment. Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
4OCT
11am
8. Visit to Cronk Howe Mooar (Fairy Hill), Ballafesson, Port Erin
Join Charles Guard for a rare opportunity to
explore this strange man-made hill dating from the 13th century and hear the latest
theories on its construction and purpose. Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
10OCT
11am, 2pm
9. Conserving Peggy, Braddan
A visit to the conservation facility at Cooil Smithy, Braddan, to see the world’s oldest schooner ‘Peggy’, and hear an update on her conservation story from MNH Conservator Chris Weeks. Wrap up warmly and be
prepared to stand up throughout.
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
11OCT
11am, 2pm
2OCT
9OCT
11am, 2.30pm 11am, 2.30pm
7. Civilian Internment during the Second World War - Living with the Wire Lecture at the Manx Museum
Join MNH Social History Curator Yvonne
Cresswell at the Manx Museum for a series
of illustrated talks about civilian internment
on the Isle of Man during the Second World
War. Each talk will provide an introduction to internment and will then focus on a
specific camp or group of camps.
There will then be the opportunity to go on
a self-guided tour of the camps whenever
you want. Booking required. All talks approx 1 hour.
Friday 2 October
11am - Douglas Promenade Camps
2.30pm - Hutchinson Camp
Friday 9 October
11am - Onchan Camp
2.30pm - Peveril & Mooragh Camps
12. Druidale Stone Circles An Introduction to the Mystery of the Druidale Stone Circles with the Manx Footpaths Conservation Group
An opportunity to visit and view a number of
sites across the landscape known as Druidale.
Booking required. Approx 3 hours. 3-4 miles.
13. The Gaiety Theatre Guided Tour, Douglas
Designed by renowned architect, Frank
Matcham, the Gaiety Theatre visit offers a full tour of the building. Visitors can view
the famous stage machinery including the
Corsican trap, the only working trap of its
kind in the world. 2020 marks the 120th
anniversary of this magnificent building, and visitors can explore previously inaccessible
areas. Booking required. Approx 2 hours.
9OCT
10OCT
6.30pm 10am
14. The Gaiety TheatreSelf-Guided Tour, Douglas
This is an unusual opportunity to explore the
magnificent Gaiety Theatre at your own pace, take photographs, chat to knowledgeable
guides and enjoy this wonderful Victorian treasure. Book a timed visit. Booking required.
10OCT
2pm - 4pm
15. Government House & Gardens Tour, Douglas
Join Charles Guard for a rare opportunity to
tour the state rooms of Government House
as well as the Loch Library, below stairs,
and the highlights of the extensive gardens.
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
10. Old Douglas Guided Tour with Blue Badge Guide David Killip
Join Blue Badge Guide David Killip to discover
more about the development of Douglas and
the history of the town on this guided walking
tour. Learn about some of the significant buildings on the route with anecdotes about
past events and people in the town.
Booking required. Approx 2.5 hours.
2pm
4OCT 11. Gateway to Old
Douglas - Isle of Man Family History Society Exhibition
Visit the iMuseum in Douglas to explore the
Isle of Man Family History Society’s exhibition featuring photographs of Old Douglas, plus
many Trees of families from Onchan, Braddan
and Douglas. Opportunities for people to do their own research with the help of members
of the Society, as the Family History Library
will also be open. Booking required.
10.30am - 4.30pm 12.30pm - 4.30pm
2-3OCT
4OCT
4OCT
1.30pm
2OCT
11am, 2pm
11OCT
2pm
16. Groudle Glen Walk with Island Heritage Tours
Join Blue Badge Guide Chris Callow to
enjoy an historic ramble in Groudle Glen. Booking required. Approx 3 hours.
3OCT
18. Kirk Christ (Rushen Parish Church) Churchyard Guided Tour
Join MNH Collections Information Manager Jude Dicken on a guided tour around the
old churchyard of Kirk Christ (Rushen
Parish Church). The tour will focus on early
gravestones; notable and not-so-notable
Victorians; those lost at sea or abroad; and
the Island’s own casualties of the First World War. Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
2pm, 4pm
20. Langess Arch Geological Excursion - From Deep Seas to Flash Floods & 150 Million Years of Missing Time
Join Dr Dave Burnett from the Manx Geological Survey to take a look at
the rocks that form Langness Arch.
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
10OCT
10.30am
2pm
17. Isle of Man Railways - Tours of the Strathallan Horse Tram Depot
A guided tour of the new Strathallan Horse
Tram Depot with Isle of Man Railways. Booking
required. Approx 30 mins.
10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm
3OCT
11OCT
10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm
3OCT 19. Knock-e-Dhooney -
Ice Age to the Vikings
Join Dave Martin, MNH Trustee, for a walk around parts of Knock-e-Dhooney Farm in
Andreas. You will have the opportunity to
look at the effects of glaciation, the Keeill and the famous Viking ship burial.
Booking required. Approx 2 hours.
2pm
4OCT
10OCT
21. MNH Archives - Behind the Scenes with Library & Archives Conservation
Join MNH Library & Archives Conservator,
Emma Le Cornu, for a look behind the scenes
at how the Library & Archives collection is preserved. See a treatment in progress, learn
how to examine a document
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
2OCT
12 noon
4OCT
2pm
11am
22. MNH Large Object Store Guided Tour, Ballasalla
Join MNH Curators Katie King and Nicola Tooms on a guided tour around some of the
larger social history objects in the national collection. The tour will focus on highlights from the collections. Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
23. The Masonic Temple & Former Pavilion Cinema, Peel
Join Leece Museum Curator Roy Baker and
Freemason Harry Owens for a guided tour
of the Masonic Hall in Peel, formerly the
Pavilion Cinema and currently the Masonic
Temple. Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
10OCT
10.30am
24. Maughold Church & Churchyard Guided Tour - Brigands, Crosses and Keeills
A visit to Maughold Churchyard with Blue
Badge Guide Jane Hodson. Founded by St
Maughold in 447AD, the tour will take a look
into its rich history, its residents, crosses and
landscape. Refreshments will be available.
Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
11am, 2pm
10OCT
2pm, 4pm
3OCT
10.30am
4OCT
2OCT
9OCT
10.30am 2pm
25. Natural History Collection Guided Tour, Manx Museum, Douglas
Come and have a look in our drawers! And our cupboards! Manx National Heritage’s natural history collection is comprised of over 10,000 specimens, from giant whales
to beetles smaller than a pinhead.
Be guided though this treasure trove
by MNH Curator of Natural History Laura
McCoy as she explains why this resource
is so important. Please note the tour
involves climbing stairs and being in
confined spaces.
Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
26. Nunnery Chapel & Grounds Tour with a visit to the Mansion House
Join Charles Guard for a tour of this historic
site including a visit to the Chapel, a walk
through the grounds and a look inside the
Mansion House. The extraordinary history of
the site will also be explained.
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
3OCT
28. Peel Castle Conservation: How Do You Maintain a Ruin?!
Join MNH Archaeologist Andy Johnson on a
tour of Peel Castle where he will describe the
recent repair works to the curtain wall and
the associated research which is changing
some of our preconceptions about the buildings on this complex site.
Booking required. Approx 1 hour.
2pm, 4pm
30. Peveril Camp Guide Tour - ‘Sorry to Detain You: Stories of the Peveril Camp in Wartime Peel’
Join Blue Badge Guide Jill Quirk and husband
Tony for a walk from Peel promenade to the
original WWII air raid shelter at the top of the
Headland. Hear fascinating wartime stories of the Peveril Camp’s internees, detainees and escapees! Many previously unseen, contemporary photographs available to view.
Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
11OCT
10.30am, 2pm
11am, 2pm
27. An Onchan Way Guided Walk with the Isle of Man Natural History & Antiquarian Society
An antiquarian miscellany from Bibaloe to Ballakissack via Ballakilmartin - circular route along public rights of way, across farmland
with ventures off-piste for keeill, returning via Mill Road and Molly Quirk’s Glen. Booking required. Approx 3 hours. 2 Miles.
11OCT
3OCT 29. Peel Schools through
History Guided Tour with Peel Heritage Trust
The 1910 Peel school mistresses, Miss Moore
and Miss Christian, will take you on a stroll around the ‘Pioneering Schools of Peel’ from 1599 to the present day. Why did Peel have
a Mathematical school, Navigation school, a Latin school and what happened to the Peel Grammar school? Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
10.30am, 2pm
3OCT
31. Public Record Office - Time Travel with Archives: Mann 100 Years Ago Exhibition & Behind the Scenes Tour
This year’s exhibition showcases records from our collections dating from circa 1920, giving glimpses into the life and times of the Isle of Man in this period. Booking required. Approx 40 mins.
3OCT
9.30am, 11am, 2pm, 3.30pm
9OCT
11am
10am
10OCT
2pm, 4pm
2OCT
34. Smeale Farm Heritage Tour, Andreas
Learn about the agricultural architecture at
Smeale Farm spanning 450 years. Examine
the remains of a wattle canopy fireplace, 18th century chiollagh with beehive oven
and horse walk. See the family textiles dating back to 1810. Tea, coffee and cake will be for sale to raise funds for Manx charity Disability
Networks. Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
35. St John’s Mill - The Power of Water
Various demonstrations, talks and an opportunity to view the working waterwheel.
Light refreshments will be available.
Booking required.
3OCT
10.30am - 4.30pm
36. St Thomas’ Church -The Murals & the Pipe Organ
Join Charles Guard for a chance to see John
Miller Nicholson’s unique murals as well as the amazing mechanisms inside the Island’s largest church organ; go underneath the
church and see the hidden machinery that
once powered this great instrument. Free
afternoon tea included. Booking required.Approx 1 hour.
2pm, 3.15pm
37. Transatlantic Slave Trade Guided Walk withBlue Badge Guide Phil Craine
Join Blue Badge Guide Phil Craine from the
One World Centre on a guided walk to visit
locations in the west of the Island associated with the transatlantic slave trade. We explore Peel before (optional) strolling out to Patrick village and back.
Booking required. Approx 3 hours and
6 miles.
32. Ramsey Guided Walking Tour with Blue Badge Guide Peter Beighton
Join Blue Badge Guide Peter Beighton on
a walking tour to discover more about Old
Ramsey - the architect of the red telephone
box, murders and more. Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
9.30am, 11.30am, 2pm, 4pm
2OCT 33. Silverdale Glen -
The History of Silverdale Glen & Surrounding Area with the Manx Footpaths Conservation Group
A walk around Silverdale Glen and
countryside to learn about the history of the
glen and surrounding area. Booking required. Approx 2-3 hours. Approx 4 miles.
1.30pm
11OCT
4OCT
10.30am
3OCT
2pm
10OCT
9.30am, 11.30am
11OCT
4OCT
2pm, 3.15pm
38. Tynwald -Behind the Scenes Tour,Douglas
Tynwald off er weekly tours of the three parliamentary Chambers and for Heritage
Open Days we are opening the doors at a
weekend too.
From Thingvöllr to Tynwald your tour guide
will explain how Tynwald has evolved and
you will discover the unique history of the oldest conti nuous parliament in the world.
Booking required. Approx 1.5 hours.
2pm 10am
2&9OCT
4&11OCT
Manx Nati onal HeritageKingswood Grove, Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 3LY
Email us on [email protected]
or call 01624 648048
facebook.com/manxnati onalheritage
@manxnati onalheritage
@manxheritage
