Rugby's history revealed during Heritage Open Days

Highlights include guided tours of Rugby town centre, vintage bus rides, a behind the scenes tour of Rugby Theatre, and a free tour of Rugby School.
Heritage Open Days takes place over back-to-back weekends in September, with a packed programme celebrating Rugby's history and culture.

Guided walking tours of Rugby town centre take place on Friday 12, Saturday 13, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 September. Tours of the Rugby theatre take place on Sunday 14 and Sunday 21 September, offering visitors the chance to visit backstage at the popular amateur theatre. Rugby School is offering a free tour on Saturday 13 September, bookable via the Visitor Centre

Vintage bus rides leave Rugby Visitor Centre on Wednesday 17 September, heading to Dunchurch for a short tour of St Peter’s Church with time for refreshments. The ride and tour will last approximately two hours.

An author talk by Aidan McRae Thomson covering their book “Churches of Warwickshire” takes place at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum on Friday 19 September, while arts venue Art at the Alex is hosting talks, exhibitions and open studios on 19-21 September.

Other historic buildings joining the Heritage Open Days celebration include the White Lion Inn in Pailton, Princethorpe College and the Mayor’s Parlour at Rugby Town Hall, while a number of the borough's churches also take part, including St Marie's Roman Catholic Church, Monks Kirby's St Edith's Church, St Peter’s Church in Wolfhampcote and St John the Baptist Church in Hillmorton.

Leaflets detailing the full Heritage Open Days programme can be picked up from Rugby Visitor Centre.

Cllr Maggie O’Rourke, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "A number of the venues taking part in this year's Heritage Open Days remain closed to the public for the rest of the year, so it's a rare opportunity to explore some of the borough's historic places.

"With limited spaces available on many of the tours, it's best to book early to secure a place."

Cllr Neil Sandison, Rugby Borough Council Liberal Democrat spokesperson for partnerships and wellbeing, said: "There is more to the borough than you know. The Heritage Open Days give you the opportunity to discover the diversity of our shared heritage. Rugby has many fine buildings and the tours offer a unique insight into their various uses. All are well worth a visit."

Places on tours can be booked in advance by calling Rugby Visitor Centre on (01788) 533217 or emailing visitor.centre@rugby.gov.uk.