Step back in time with heritage days

This photo of the Horse Fair in Fleet Street, Holbeach, is one of many on display at the town’s cemetery chapels as part of the Heritage Open Days. Picture supplied.

Towers and tunnels, factories and follies, chapels and synagogues – thousands of England’s most unique and undiscovered historic sites will be throwing open their doors for free, as Heritage Open Days celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The following events are happening across South Holland:

• Crowland Abbey – Open day for prayer and visitors, with a chance to see displays depicting the life of St Guthlac and the development of the abbey, today and tomorrow 11am-3pm, Sunday 1pm-3pm.
• Holbeach Cemetery Chapels – A chance to visit the graves of those killed in World War I and to see an exhibition of associated memorabilia and photos, Saturday 10am-4pm.
• Long Sutton RBL Club – Residents’ Histories of World War I, photographic display and exhibition including items from the era, Saturday 10am-5pm.
• Pinchbeck Engine Land Drainage Museum – Museum housed in the 1833 steam-powered pumping station building, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm.
• Pode Hole Pumping Station – Visit the diesel and electric land drainage pumping station, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm.
• Ayscoughfee Hall Museum – Grade I listed house set in five acres of beautiful gardens, today, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am-4pm.
• Chain Bridge Forge – A working blacksmith’s museum, Friday 10am-2pm, Saturday 12pm-3pm and Sunday 11am-3.30pm.
• Spalding Gentlemen’s Society Museum, Broad Street – Collection which has been built up over 300 years, Saturday 10am-4pm, World War I special event and talk, Sunday, 3pm.
• The Vista, Spalding – The Memorials in St Mary and St Nicolas Church guided tour of the memorials, Saturday tour 11am.