The Winchelsea Heritage Open Days event is taking place on 9th and 10th September 2017

Winchelsea is not the only town on the map – this event is a European one where 50 countries take part in what has come to be recognised as a huge cultural festival. Each country runs the event in their own way, and in England alone there are over 5000 events; the purpose being to raise appreciation of Europe’s cultural assets and heritage.  Winchelsea’s contribution is to offer three sites, not normally open to the public, with refreshments and free entry, either on Saturday 9th or Sunday 10th.

The Court Hall and Museum open on Saturday 9th from 12pm to 4pm with an eye-catching exhibition in the Lower Court Hall displaying ‘pairs of pictures’ of important buildings in Winchelsea as they may have looked in medieval times compared to how they appear now.

The Methodist Chapel open on Saturday 9th from 10am to 5pm.

Blackfriars Barn Cellars offering three tours on  Saturday 9th at 11.30am and Sunday 10th at 11am and 2pm.

Also worth a mention, is to try and see other principal  sites of the town, such as St Thomas’ Church, open from 9am to 5pm, the Town Well and the three medieval gates; Pipewell Gate, Strand Gate and New Gate.

I do hope you all have an enjoyable visit to this once-a-year opportunity to discover Winchelsea’s hidden cultural treasures and to know that you are part of this amazing heritage festival, in England and in Europe, on this particular weekend in 2017.

Berenice Scott