District’s heritage gems on show

Churches, museums and castles will open their doors to the public to celebrate the heritage of the city.

The Gott collection will be available for public viewing for the first time at The Hepworth, where historian Kate Taylor will also deliver a talk on the Chantry Chapel and there will be exhibitions and talks about the history of the waterfront.

Tours will be given around some of the city’s most iconic buildings including The Chantry Chapel, St John’s Church at Wentworth Street, Westgate Chapel, St Peter’s Church, Kirkthorpe, Ossett’s Trinity Church and Theatre Royal Wakefield.

At Sandal Castle, there will be a talk about 17th century history and the civil war as well as demonstrations of weaponry and at the National Coal Mining Museum, the screens building will be open to the public.

Other events include conservation demonstrations at Nostell Priory, a heritage trail at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, an exhibition at West Yorkshire Archive Service, tours, workshops and exhibitions at Wakefield Cathedral and a Wakefield Civic Society guided walk.

In Pontefract, a medeival weekend will take place at the castle, will talks and demonstrations of skilled crafts including carving and brick-making.

There will also be a vintage bus linking the castle and market place, guided walks by Pontefract Heritage Group and tours of the Town Halls and St Giles’ Church.

Heritage Open Days run until Sunday.

For details of the days and times of all the events, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk District’s City’s heritage gems on show