To mark the 30th anniversary of the national Heritage Open Days Festival, more than 30 venues and experiences in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate are offering opportunities to discover the Isle's rich history, architecture and culture, free of charge.

The 2024 festival takes place from Friday 6 to Sunday 15 September. This year's theme is 'Routes, Networks and Connections'. People are invited to delve into the rich tapestry of history through the movement of people and ideas. In Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, the festival includes: 

• A Guided Walk in Margate: Discover the fascinating architecture of six historic squares and learn about the notable residents who lived and worked there.
• The Palace Cinema in Broadstairs: Explore the unique story of this iconic cinema and delve into local film heritage.
• Historic Ramsgate: Visit Ramsgate's oldest street, Paradise, home to retired sea captains in the early 18th century, and enjoy sea shanties and characters in period costume.
• An Augustine Camino Mini Pilgrimage: Walk from Minster Abbey to the Shrine of St. Augustine in Ramsgate, uncovering stories of saints, scholars, Vikings, and powerful princesses along the way.

Heritage Open Days provides an opportunity to experience lesser-known venues and those that are not generally open to members of the public.  In Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate this includes India House, one of the finest and most unusual buildings in Margate, and St. Edward's Presbytery in Ramsgate, which was built in 1850 by Augustus Pugin, master of the Gothic Revival. The isle's local history will be explored during engaging talks, including two relating to Ramgate's Royal Harbour and its new Heritage Harbour status, in addition to a special guided Dickens Town Trail in Broadstairs. 

Venues participating in Heritage Open Days for the first time include Holy Trinity Church, Radford House (Old Fire Station) and houses in Paradise in Ramsgate, and the Walpole Bay Hotel and Museum in Margate.

Many of the isle's attractions will be free to enter on specific dates during the festival. These include the Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens in Birchington; the Margate Caves and The Wonderworks in Margate; the Dickens House Museum in Broadstairs; and the Italianate Glasshouse and Pugin's The Grange in Ramsgate.

Further information on the venues that are taking part across Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, including opening times and how to book, is available at www.visitthanet.co.uk/heritageopendays.  

The Isle of Thanet is just 70 minutes from London via Southeastern's highspeed rail service.

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Notes to Editors

General press enquiries:

Please contact Julie Edwards at Thanet Tourism - julie.edwards@thanet.gov.uk or 01843 577671.

Assistance can be given with digital images, reader competitions and press trips - and bespoke packages can be arranged, including accommodation and sightseeing, for journalists with commissions.

About Heritage Open Days

• Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture.  Running for ten days every September, the festival offers free access to heritage events and activities across England.
• Heritage Open Days is brought to you by the National Trust with support from players of People's Postcode Lottery, and delivered locally by a large range of organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations and local councils, community champions and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers).
• Heritage Open Days is England's contribution to European Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries.  
• For further details about the festival, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Link to images  credit listed on individual photos

Link to full list of participating venues and experiences in Thanet.