A major feature of the two-day celebration of Cambridge’s art, history, architecture and gardens are the many drop-in events.
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Another drop in event not to be missed is the open day at Madingley Hall, which is offering tours guided by local experts. Visitors can learn about the rich history and explore the beauty and magnificence of the 16th Century country house. Visitors can also explore the beautiful eight-acre gardens and discover cures, curiosities, tastes and essences, and learn fascinating facts about herbs and medicinal plants with professional herbalists and the garden team at the Hall’s Medicinal Garden.
Some of the more unusual events at this year’s event include:
- A history of housing in Cambridge: perfect for those who are intrigued by domestic architecture in Cambridge. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the city’s housing, from the medieval examples through Tudor and Stuart times, the housing boom of the Victorian and Edwardian period and the activities of private developers, the city council and housing societies in the 20th century to today's delights of CB1, Eddington and Great Kneighton.
- Marshall Library of Economics open day: A unique chance to see inside this library space (pictured above) designed by Sir Hugh Casson and hidden within the Austin Robinson Building on the Sidgwick Site. There are tours on the hour and the opportunity to view some of the library’s Rare Books, many of which were owned by Alfred Marshall, the founding father of economics.
- Artscape: the juxtaposition of art, architecture and landscape at Murray Edwards College: The Grade II* surroundings of Murray Edwards College are home to award-winning gardens, an internationally acclaimed art collection and bountiful library and archive amongst and within the celebrated Brutalist architecture. The tour introduces visitors to the New Hall Art Collection, the largest collection of works by women in Europe, and the stunning gardens.
- Horticulture at a memorial site: The 30 acres of ground that make up Cambridge American Cemetery includes fine lawns, formal and informal planting, ancient woodland – and over 1000 roses! Perfect for those who love gardens and landscape, this walking tour with head Gardner Paul Hinchley provides a fascinating insight and explanation of how he and his team maintain this diverse site to the highest possible standards.
- Stories of the Americans in Britain during World War II: Cambridge American Cemetery was built by local craftsmen as a permanent resting place for nearly 4,000 young Americans. A further 5,000 names are inscribed on the Wall of the Missing. They served and died in Britain from 1942-1946. These young men and women lived life to the full and have many fascinating, personal stories that visitors can learn about as they explore the grounds.
- Cambridgeshire County Council: archaeology inside a cold war bunker: Hosted by the Council's Historic Environment Team, the nuclear bunker has been converted to store significant items from its archaeological collections. This exhibition includes displays on recent archaeological investigations in the county, significant archaeological finds from the Castle Hill area and beyond as well as displays on the Cold War and the history of the bunker itself.
- An hour in the life of a scientist: This event is especially for those wanting to discover their inner scientist by joining the people who work at the renowned Sainsbury Laboratory for a fascinating hands-on tour of the modern facilities they use to explore the inner workings of plants.
A full copy of the programme can be downloaded here.
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Image: Marshall library: Credit Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge
Places can be booked online at www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk or by calling 01223 766 766. Phonelines open between 11am – 3pm, Monday to Friday. There are also plenty of drop-in events for people to enjoy.
Open Cambridge is part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme. Designed to offer special access to places that are normally closed to the public or charge admission, the initiative provides an annual opportunity for people to discover the local history and heritage of their community. For more information please visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk