WITH the UK set to celebrate a weekend of Heritage Open Days, nine key historical sites around Whitchurch open their doors to one and all.

On Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, the sites – within easy walking distance of each other and town centre car parks – will all completely free to enter, and all link the town’s history with the Creativity Unwrapped theme of the Heritage Open Days nationwide in 2023.

A spokesman for Whitchurch Heritage Centre and Museum says the trail of sites is one for all of the family.

They added: “This is far more than just a rainy-day activity for all the family, but this is one outing when the weather really doesn’t matter.

“There’s a chance to visit the top of St Alkmund’s Church tower for a look at the intricate workings of the Joyce Clock on the way, and look down on the town in a way few people ever do.

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“Plus you can explore the depths of the spooky underground ice-house a few hundred yards away – both built at the height of the Georgian era 350 years ago, when ice was a rarity, church activities were woven into the fabric of everyday life.

“St Alkmund’s was founded by Queen Æthelflæd when King Alfred’s cakes were still smouldering in the hearth and his vision of a united England had yet to be realised.

“That building collapsed 700 years later and was replaced by the present structure, built by a firm of masons from Tattenhall.

“Its William Warrington stained-glass windows were added in 1858 and that’s a theme of this year’s event.

“There’s a fine window in the Catholic Church of St George designed by the celebrated artist Patrick Pollen.

“There’s more stained glass at the nearby St John’s Methodist Church, and in the Masonic Hall the 15 windows of this former Methodist Chapel continue to illuminate the remaining original 1866 features as well as the Masonic museum.”

There are nine venues in total open this weekend, including the Tithe Barn beside the Ice House and Church House just around the corner, plus the Heritage Centre and Museum itself, the hub of all local heritage and history activities in Whitchurch, and you can find a full list at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/advanced-search and keying in Whitchurch, or by visiting the Heritage Centre in St Mary’s Street.