Fifteen historic venues often closed to the public – including a memorial to Cadbury employees who died in both World Wars – are to open for free this weekend.
The venues, all in the Bournville area, will throw open their doors to visitors on Saturday 10th September in support of Birmingham Heritage Week and Heritage Open Days.
Visitors will be able to explore hidden gems ranging from the beautiful St Lazars Serbian Orthodox Church built for refugees after World War 2 to the Quaker Meeting House built in 1905.
A poignant memorial to Cadbury employees who died in both World Wars, featuring photographs of 218 men who fell in action or died on active service, will also be open at Cadbury’s Pavilion.
Other historic gems opening and hosting a range of events and exhibitions include; Selly Manor Museum, Bournville Rest House, Bournville Primary School, The Carillon, St Francis Church, Bournville Almshouses, Rowheath Pavilion, Bournville Model Boat Club, Woodbrooke, Fircroft College, Weoley Hill United Reformed Church and Manor Farm Park.
The day is all part of Birmingham Heritage Week where visitors are invited to explore and (re)discover Birmingham’s rich history during a 10-day city-wide heritage festival.
Daniel Callicott, Heritage Manager at Bournville Village Trust which manages Selly Manor Museum, said: “We are really pleased to be a part of Birmingham Heritage Week, celebrating the rich, varied and fascinating heritage and history of our city.
“In Bournville we have nearly 130 years of history for visitors to explore, telling the story of Birmingham’s only garden village and the people who have and continue to live here. There are so many hidden gems across Bournville and we can’t wait to welcome visitors to explore them for themselves.”
To find out more about Bournville’s events for Birmingham Heritage Week, please go to our Heritage Open Day page.