Hello Heritage in the national forest

Hello Heritage is a fantastic festival which celebrates the history of the National Forest Leicestershire. Taking in some of the area’s most historic buildings plus some hidden treasures, this month long FREE festival is perfect for all the family to enjoy.

Running from 1 September to 28 September, heritage sites and groups have come together to provide a varied collection of opportunities for you to visit, see, and experience. Along with free access to a number of sites there will also be tours and guided walks available as well as the popular board trails around many villages. We run down some of the highlights below.

Explore the mining history of the area at the former Colliery at Snibston. You can explore the site, enjoying its transformation from an open mine to a country park. There will also be tours from the Snibston Heritage Trust and a special event on Sunday 7 September celebrating 100 Years of the Midland Red bus garage in Coalville.

Explore the ruins of the beautiful (and reportedly haunted) Grace Dieu Priory. On Sunday 21 September you can join a guided walk around the Priory and Woods.

Each Saturday Ashby Museum opens its doors to showcase exhibits, objects, pictures and words – telling the story of the town and surrounding villages, with a children’s area, touch screen video displays and a huge photo archive.

The lovingly restored Hough Mill is open to visitors every Sunday throughout September. This wonderful windmill, dating back to 1800, is a ‘must see hidden gem’.

One of the county’s hidden treasures, this manor house has been restored to an authentic 1600s style. On Sunday 14 September enjoy activities showcasing the history of the house including guided house and garden tours, object displays and much more.

Surrounded by rolling hills and a tranquil lake, Staunton Harold Church is the picture of peace and rural contentment. Discover the story of how it was built during one of the most turbulent times in English history and take this rare opportunity to explore its gothic architecture at your own pace. Open on Sunday 14 September from 12noon to 3pm.

One of the few surviving examples of a 19^th century blast furnace, Moira is perfectly set by the Ashby Canal. On 13 & 14 September Moira Furnace Wood Festival will bring this historic site to life with stalls, activities and entertainment. There will be lots to engage all the family including boat rides, story telling, craft activities, chain saw carving, musicians and much more

There’s loads more taking place as part of the Hello Heritage festival, check out the brochure below!