Events
Sudbury's Heritage Open Days 2024
Routes-Networks-Connections
Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 September
Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations.
Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
In Sudbury we coordinate a host of free open house events, guided tours, talks, and hands-on creative workshops all to showcase Sudbury's fascinating heritage spanning many centuries...
Take a look at our 2024 programme below and get involved!
Highlight Event:
FREE Talk and Q&A -
Roads-River-Rail of Sudbury
On: Sunday 15 September
At: Doors at 2pm for start just after 3pm
Venue: Sudbury Arts Centre, Market Hill, CO10 2EA
Organised by Sudbury Town Council in partnership with Sudbury Arts Centre
Please join us for a free talk and Q&A as part of Heritage Open Days 2024 in Sudbury celebrating Routes-Networks-Connections with local history experts: Ashley Cooper (roads), Gavin Moulton (rail) and Jim Lunn (river).
The talk will focus on how these routes have shaped the Town of Sudbury over the centuries. The talk will be chronological with Ashley Cooper speaking about the roads in and out of Sudbury and the trading routes that have developed over centuries.
Jim Lunn from The River Stour Trust will be discussing how the Stour has shaped Sudbury, from defensive decisions on early settlements to the Stour Navigation Act, to the impact of the coming of the railway, later birth of The River Stour Trust and new lease of life in the tourism, ecological and leisure sectors.
We close with local railway expert and enthusiast, Gavin Moulton who will be speaking on the coming of the railway to Sudbury in the mid-1850s, the boost to trade and leisure travel and our present day terminus station on The Gainsborough Line.
The talk will be followed by a by an audience Q&A.
Free Guided Tours
Saturday 14 September
All tours will begin at the Heritage Open Days pop up at the front of Sudbury Arts Centre on Market Hill, CO10 2EA.
Tours are free but spaces are limited so please book in advance via the links below. Tour last between 1hr - 1hr 30mins. Please get in touch if you have any questions!
Weaving the Streets of Sudbury: Wool to Silk
Tour starts at 10am
Join our blue badge guide as we weave our way around Sudbury’s cloth heritage. Timber framed buildings, weavers cottages, medieval churches still stand proud today as evidence of weaving wool from the 13th century to Sudbury Silk in the present day.
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Step into the Sudbury Story
Tour starts at 12pm
From the inspirational to the creative, the scandalous to the gory, come join us to Step in the Sudbury Story! This guided walk with a professional blue badge guide offers a fascinating insight into Sudbury's past.
Your guide will take you on a Sudbury stroll through time with some fascinating stories to bring the streets of this ancient market town to life.
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Tales of the Talbot Trail
Tour starts at 2pm
Join us on this free guided tour of Sudbury famous Talbot Trail - a series of 14 statues around Sudbury that depict various fascinating episodes in the town’s history over the centuries.
This is a great way to experience the trail for the first time, from The Peasants' Revolt to Dicken's 'The Rotten Borough', the fearsome Boudicea on route to Colchester to the lighter tales of William Kemp's jig and The Running Boy!
Free to Explore in Sudbury this Heritage Open Days...
As well as all these fantastic events, there is plenty to that is FREE TO EXPLORE in Sudbury during Heritage Open Days - From Sudbury's outstanding green spaces, ancient water meadows and characterful architecture, to unique cultural spaces...
