Four of the Best 'Edible England' Heritage Open Days events
Until the end of this week (19 September), check out vintage cookbooks, food and drink themed exhibitions, and 300-year-old wine glasses "inscribed with revolutionary political statements."
Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture, sees thousands of venues across the country open their doors from 10 to 19 September. Visitors will be able to discover sites not normally open to the public and to enjoy one-off events put on especially for the festival. Best of all, everything is free.
More than 70 Heritage Open Days events are in the process of happening across Sheffield. This year the theme is ‘Edible England’. Local organisers have added a particularly Sheffield twist, finding imaginative ways to celebrate our city’s food and drink heritage, from cheese and pickles to jewellery and glassware, and lots more in between.
Janet Ridler, Sheffield Heritage Open Days Coordinator at the Sheffield Civic Trust, has kindly shared with us four of the best Edible England Heritage Open Days events taking place in Sheffield this week.
The Gardeners Rest, a community-owned pub in Neepsend.
The Gardeners Rest Heritage Festival of Sheffield Food and Drink
Where better to raise a toast to Sheffield’s beloved beer and breadcakes than its best-loved community-owned pub, the Gardeners Rest in Neepsend?
Sheffield has a long tradition of brewing and its pub snacks are second to none. During the festival you’ll find Waterall’s pork pies and sausage rolls and a special Yorkshire cheese board featuring a locally-produced Henderson’s Relish cheese.
All the cask ale will be locally brewed and there’ll be Sheffield gins and vodkas to try. There’ll also be talks, cellar tours and tastings, and a chance to discover the history of the pub.
Dates & times: Daily during pub opening hours until 19 September. More info and bookings.
Aunt Kate's Household Annual
Lizz TuckermanHow Did Your Nan Cook It?
Treasured cookery books from the past form the basis of this fascinating exhibition at Sheffield’s Central Library, where you can view well-loved vintage cookery and household management books, which you may remember from your grandparents’ kitchens.
Browse homemade recipes passed down through the generations and learn about ‘cooking on the ration’ with World War II guides on how to cater for the family during wartime.
Dates & times: 10am-4pm until 18 September. More info. No booking required.
All Good Stuff at Butcher Works
‘Food from afar’ will be celebrated within this historic redbrick former cutlery works with its central cobbled courtyard and original brick chimney.
You’ll discover a range of locally-sourced pickles and chutneys and browse a special exhibition of original artwork and crafts representing food and drink, including a unique steak, egg and chips pendant...
The art exhibition will also celebrate the growing of food on allotments and farms, and there will be family quizzes to guide you through your visit.
Dates & times: 11am-4pm until 18 September. More info. No booking required. View the online exhibition of photographs at any time during the festival dates.
The Turner Museum of Glass at the University of Sheffield.
Turner Museum of Glass
For a quirky twist on this year’s Edible England theme, take a guided tour of the Turner Museum of Glass, which houses a fabulous collection of glass spanning 3,000 years of glassmaking.
Part of the University of Sheffield, the museum will be opening especially for Heritage Open Days, providing a rare chance to glimpse such hidden gems as a glass dress and accessories worn by the museum founder’s wife.
In keeping with this year’s theme, you'll also have the chance to see the museum’s large collection of wine glasses, some of which are 300 years old and inscribed with revolutionary political statements.
Dates & times: Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 September, with 45-minute tours running 10am-4pm. More info. No booking required.
More about the festival
Download the Sheffield Heritage Open Days programme or pick up a printed copy at venues in and around the city centre.
Heritage Open Days is a grassroots festival and all the events are put on by individual organisations, friends groups and charities, many of which are volunteer-led. In Sheffield, the festival is coordinated by Sheffield Civic Trust, who support, mentor and encourage local organisers to showcase their site, venue, talk or tour to a wider audience.
To find out more, or if you would like to help coordinate the festival or organise an event for next year, get in touch via hods@sheffieldcivictrust.org.uk.
