Heritage Open Days 2006: Thurs 7 - Sun 10 Sept

Thousands of buildings and places across England will be throwing their doors open free of charge for Heritage Open Days 2006 from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 September. Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust in partnership with English Heritage, this annual celebration brings the fantastic opportunity for people to discover and enjoy the architecture, history and culture right on their doorsteps.

With more than 3,000 properties of every style, period and function and a great variety of associated events and activities, Heritage Open Days is England's largest cultural event, promising fascinating insights and fresh inspirations to everyone, whatever their age or background, interest or taste.

More than 26,000 local volunteers from all walks of life - civic society members, property owners, estate managers, conservation officers, company directors, tourism managers and education officers - contribute their time and enthusiasm to make this national event happen, while more than 850,000 visitors make the most of the free invitation each year.

Katja Condy, Heritage Open Days Manager at the Civic Trust said: "Visitors are invited into places that are otherwise private, to meet people who live or work there, or who know the history of the place better than anyone else. Buildings may be fascinating and awe-inspiring because of their beauty, style or status, but it's the stories they tell which make them dearer and bring them closer to us. And Heritage Open Days, with its huge variety of properties from manor houses to Masonic halls, from temples to lighthouses, is all about revealing those stories."

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "Heritage Open Days is a great success story for our heritage. It celebrates people and places and everyone can take part and learn more about their local history. Hundreds of thousands of people will visit properties across the country which they would not normally have access to. Heritage Open Days reflects the huge enthusiasm we have for our heritage and culture."

Heritage Open Days is a national event, forming part of European Heritage Days. Local property openings and events are organised by civic societies, local authorities, amenity societies, museums, and owners and managers of buildings. It is co-ordinated and managed nationally by the Civic Trust, with funding from English Heritage. The directory of events will be available online from mid-July at www.heritageopendays.org or call 020 7539 7924 - the visitor enquiry line will be open from 1 August to 12 September, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm.
www.heritageopendays.org

The Heritage Open Days Audience Development Programme extends the enjoyment and educational benefits of Heritage Open Days all year round to under-represented audiences including families, school children and people of different cultural backgrounds. It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with additional support from the Department for Education and Skills, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Frognal Trust, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the WO Street Charitable Foundation and individual donations. www.heritageopendays.org/education

The Civic Trust is the leading UK charity dedicated to bringing vitality, sustainability and high quality design to the built environment. An independent charity, founded in 1957, it works with people to promote thriving towns and villages, developing partnerships between communities, government and business to deliver regeneration and local improvement. It is the umbrella body for 850 civic societies across the country, representing over 250,000 individuals committed to improving and caring for places where people live and work. www.civictrust.org.uk

English Heritage is the government's lead body for the historic environment in England and is responsible for protecting the best of the country's unique legacy of historic buildings, landscapes and archaeological sites for the benefit of this and future generations. For full details please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk or contact English Heritage customer services on 0870 333 1181.