Heritage Open Days at The Calderstones

The Heritage Open Days returns to Calderstones this September with an opportunity to get up close with the hidden treasures of the Park's history and heritage.

For the past three years, The Reader has hosted successful events at Calderstones Park as part of the national Heritage Open Days Festival.

Heritage Open Days, which operates as part of the National Trust and is funded by the People's Postcode Lottery, was established in 1994 as part of England's contribution to the European Heritage Days festival which is held annually in September in 50 states across Europe.

This year's festival takes place between the 8 - 11 September. It is the country's largest heritage festival with 50, 000 events, over 40, 000 volunteers and more than three million visitors taking part. Celebrating local history, architecture and culture, the four-day event offers everyone the chance to experience something new and discover hidden places within their local communities and beyond, all of which are completely free to explore.

This year Heritage Open Days is asking people to 'Treasure Your Treasures' and there is no better hidden treasure in Liverpool than the Calderstones.

The Calderstones, which are housed in the Harthill Glasshouse, will be open to the public everyday of the festival, between 10am and 4pm, a fantastic opportunity to get access to these neolithic artefacts. 

We welcome local historian and prehistory expert Ken Sloan back to Calderstones Park for the festival. Ken will be on hand during Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon with genuine prehistoric tools and a replica of the Bronze Age burial urn found in Wavertree in 1867.

Local author, folklore expert and graphic novelist John Reppion will also join is on Friday afternoon for a book signing. Reppion's books are inspired by his lifelong fascination  with the history and folklore of Merseyside, his 2012 work The Calderstones of Liverpool can be read online here.

Over the four day festival The Reader Gallery will host an exhibition by Calidad Canvas, Mike Greatbanks, whose work focuses on local landmarks in Merseyside.

Mike has kindly donated three of his Calderstones Prints to be given away as part of a raffle during the festival.

For further information about the event visit Heritage Open Days or contact our Heritage Stories Maker Richard at richardmacdonald@thereader.org.uk or by phone on 07870196788.