Heritage Open Days give the public an unrivalled chance to explore places both famous and secret, as Peter Elson reports

THE words are difficult to say, but Gary Maddock finally manages to utter them. And the words are “hidden gems”.

In an apologetic tone, Gary, tourism development manager for St Helens Council, explains that he feels such a phrase is a cliché, but presses on.

“Everywhere you turn in St Helens, there are hidden gems,” he says, as the town council is one of the region’s foremost promoter of Heritage Open Days.

This is the annual event each September across the country where some 3,600 properties of historic or architectural interest open their doors to the public.

Normally, they are not accessible to the public or are paid entry attractions. Co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and English Heritage, the concept is to show people what lies hidden behind closed doors and raise the profile of Britain’s rich built heritage.

Every year for four days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples.

This is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden treasures and enjoy a range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.

Due to the popularity of previous years, Heritage Open Days in Merseyside (Liverpool, Sefton, StHelens, Wirral, Knowsley and Halton) will spread across 11 days, from September 11-21.

“There are real delights that many people pass every day without realising,” says Gary.

“To get inside buildings means that a beauty is often revealed that is not expressed on the outside – and you can go in for free.

“It also gives us the chance to showcase some special things. Just Mackintosh is a small but very successful worldwide business at Parade Street, in St Helens’ town centre, selling everything to do with the Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

“The proprietor Pat Marsden is a total Mackintosh fan of this art nouveau designer and will be giving lectures and putting on shows in her studio.

“Mackintosh has no connection with St Helens, but it shows how committed people can make such a difference to the heritage of a place, wanting to communicate their enthusiasm.

“There is a wider Merseyside link as Mackintosh submitted a design for Liverpool Cathedral which was largely followed in shape by the eventual architect, Giles Gilbert Scott.

“St Helens is also included in a new set of themed tours across Merseyside from St George’s Hall which I think will be warmly welcomed. We’re also staging again our highly popular St Helens Rail Trail 12-mile guided bus tour, on September 21.”