European Heritage Days Journées européennes du patrimoine

Heritage ReOpen Days FREE EVENTS 11 – 20 September 2020

www.heritageopendays.org.uk Welcome 2020 is the 15th year that the Milton Keynes area will have celebrated Heritage Open Days. In 2006 there were 15 events held across MK – this year we have over 100 events to showcase our distinctive and world-class heritage, arts and culture. All organisers will follow Covid-19 Government Guidance at the time and after a long period of Lockdown for the sector, this year is even more important for you to support your local heritage and culture.

The MK theme of this year is ReOpen and although as usual all events are FREE, we ask you to support our venues through donations and purchases, to ensure they will be here for you in 2021. The national theme this year is Hidden Nature and this icon highlights those XX events.

From the 11th to the 20th September, there are TEN DAYS of unmissable events taking place including activities for children and families. There are opportunities to come along to exhibitions, workshops, open days, craft events and performances. Suitable for all ages. And ALL events will be free. For up to date news about the full event programme and the Covid-19 Government Guidance at the time, before setting out visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk. You can also follow MKHODs on Twitter using #MKHODs Milton Keynes – European Getting Around City of Sport 2020 We’re proud that Milton Keynes has been named European City of Sport for 2020 by ACES Europe, the federation dedicated to sport and health for all. Sports, leisure, culture and community partners from across MK are putting on special events and activities throughout 2020 and 2021, so keep checking our website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/ecos

Living Archive MK Living Archive MK manages the Heritage Open Days programme on behalf of Milton Did you know that Milton Keynes has over 200 Keynes Council and Heritage MK with support miles of of-road walking and cycle routes? Why from Milton Keynes Heritage Association. not use our extensive Redway and Leisure Route www.livingarchive.org.uk network to travel to the Heritage Open Days sites?

Discover Milton Keynes The Get Smarter Travel team at have a Discover Milton Keynes ofers city dedicated website with travel information that can help you to centre exhibitions, activities, leafets, choose the best way to get around. and the latest What’s On information for Heritage Open Days. It is located in the Central Library on the frst foor. Find it here: www.getsmartertravelmk.org/ www.discovermiltonkeynes.co.uk The Journey Planner can be used to plan a walking or cycling route from your home to the Heritage Open Day destination/s that you Heritage MK is a partnership of fve want to visit. museums and heritage organisations who have joined forces to: • Raise awareness of the rich within and beyond the ‘new’ city; Our Interactive Map includes our Millennium and Cultural routes • Win public and commercial (see page 50) as well as information such as cycle parking locations support for its conservation, interpretation and and docking stations for the Santander hire bikes. development; • Share resources and expertise; Check them out: • Inspire more people to get involved and secure this unique heritage for future generations. www.getsmartertravelmk.org/journey-planner#/ www.heritagemk.co.uk www.getsmartertravelmk.org/interactive-map Arts & Heritage Alliance Milton The Santander Cycles MK scheme is ofering 30 minutes free bike Keynes (AHA-MK) hire until the end of September so it’s an excellent time to try out AHA-MK is a forum of organisations that work one of their new bikes. together to position the arts and heritage sectors as strategic contributors to the Find your nearest docking station on our Interactive Map, plan a community and economy of Milton Keynes. route on our Journey Planner and enjoy exploring the Redways and We promote, represent and develop arts and heritage, visiting the 2020 HOD’s! collaboratively delivering or supporting exciting activities. www.aha-mk.org www.santandercycles.co.uk/miltonkeynes Come for the day. Stay for the night. Or why not make a weekend of it? With nationally renowned attractions, some of the UK’s best shopping, world class culture and sport, Support Our Sector! and acres of green spaces to enjoy. We are proud of our rich heritage and wealth of culture in Milton Keynes, ranging from our Milton Keynes Theatre to community choirs and to village historical societies. This brochure features our Heritage MK members and Arts Council National Portfolio Organisations, but had we got more space, we could show you even more.

There is so much going on in our diverse communities, bringing energy, inspiration and connection across Milton Keynes. Please fnd out who is in your local area, visit them and ofer support in the best way you can. Many exist on volunteer help and fnancial contributions are always welcome.

Francesca Skelton DL Chair AHA-MK

www.aha-mk.org/members www.mkheritage.org.uk/members www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk

www.destinationmiltonkeynes.co.uk In memory of those who have lost their lives Support our Venues

The Cowper & Newton Museum relives Georgian life in the home of William Cowper, renowned 18th century poet. Walk back in time through rooms featuring numerous personal artefacts and belongings. Discover Cowper’s comic sense of humour, his poetry and writings, the highs and lows in his life and his love of gardening and animals – especially his pet hares. Discover also how John Newton‘s life and personal experience inspired him to write the world’s most famous hymn, Amazing Grace, in Olney. Learn about his early life aboard ships, his participation in the slave trade, and the storm which began his journey to becoming a church minister, writer, preacher & campaigner for the abolition of slavery. Park is a place of exceptional historical importance, open to visitors throughout the year. Once the top secret www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk home of the World War Two Codebreakers, over the past Contact details: twenty years has become an internationally Orchard Side, Market Place, Olney, MK46 4AJ renowned heritage attraction, visited by people from around T: +44 (0)1234 711516 the world, which acknowledges the successes from the War E: [email protected] and the people responsible for them. Experience the stories of the extraordinary men and Social Media: women who worked here with a visit to the D-Day Facebook /CowpNewtMuseum exhibition, ‘D-Day: Interception, Intelligence, Invasion’. Instagram @cowpnewtmuseum Visitors can also walk around the restored Codebreaking Twitter @CowpNewtMuseum #CowperandNewton huts and historic buildings, explore the grounds, and learn about the major role Bletchley Park played producing secret intelligence which had a direct and profound infuence on the outcome of the confict. www.bletchleypark.org.uk Contact details: The Mansion, Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 6EB T: +44 (0) 1908 640404 E: [email protected] Social Media: Facebook /bletchleypark1 Instagram @bletchleyparkuk Twitter @bletchleypark #BletchleyPark

8 www.heritageopendays.org.uk www.heritageopendays.org.uk 9 We are an educational charity based at the beautiful and historic site of Bradwell . was originally a Benedictine priory founded in 1154. Set within an extensive woodland site, this Scheduled Ancient Monument has several remaining medieval and other historically signifcant buildings. These include the Grade I What’s your Milton Keynes story? We’d like to