Want to learn more about the history and culture of North East Lincolnshire for free? Then get ready for the Heritage Open Days

Every September, exhibitions are launched, events are planned and the doors to some of the country’s most amazing venues and locations are opened.

This year is no different as Heritage Open Days celebrates its 30^th anniversary. The national event takes place from Friday, 6 September, to Sunday, 15 September, celebrating a specific theme. This year, it will be looking at ‘Routes, networks and connections’, showcasing how people and ideas have moved around and come together throughout history.

Across the borough, there are a range of opportunities to dive deep into the history of North East Lincolnshire and learn about the area’s culture. These events include:

Cleethorpes

• Awesome Water Exhibition – Held on Friday, 13 September, and Saturday, 14 September, at Cleethorpes Town Hall. Learn about how water is utilised at our seaside resort and how it developed close ties with Kӧnigswinter in Germany. Marking their 50^th anniversary this year, there couldn’t be a better time to visit.
• Watkin Walk – Held on Friday, 6 September, with one hour walks at 10am, 11.30am and 1.45pm at the Mermaid Café. Join Heritage Lincolnshire and learn about the life of the man who helped make Cleethorpes the bustling resort it is today, Edward Watkin.

Grimsby

• Hometown Heroes Exhibition – Held in the Muriel baker Gallery at the Fishing Heritage Centre. Celebrate the sporting achievements of our local heroes. From Guy Martin’s bike leathers to Brenda Fisher’s trophy, there is so much to discover and far more famous sportspeople from North East Lincolnshire than you may think.
• Heritage Open Days Lauch Event – Held in Freshney Place shopping centre on Friday, 6 September, 10am to 4pm. Celebrate the start of Heritage Open Days at this drop in event and pick up a festival brochures to discover what’s happening across the borough and Lincolnshire.

Immingham

• Discover the Pilgrim Fathers’ Journey to America – Visit the monument celebrating 100 years since it was built and St Andrew’s church where the pilgrims sheltered when they were stranded. Saturday, 7 September, Sunday, 8 September, Saturday, 14 September, and Sunday, 15 September, from 12pm to 4pm. Learn more by walking the Pilgrims Trail and visit the exhibition at Immingham Museum.
• Tin Town – Held at Immingham Tin Town Heritage Centre, 359 Pelham Road, on Saturday, 7 September, Sunday, 8 September, Saturday, 14 September, and Sunday, 15 September, from 12pm to 4pm. Thousands of labourers were employed to build Immingham dock between 1906 and 1912. To house the workers, “Tin Town” was built in Immingham. Visit the last remaining corrugated iron bungalow dating back to 1907 which has been lovingly restored to its former glory. It is an unusual survival of a type of housing rapidly constructed as part of a major building project. Experience what it was like to live in a building made of tin and wood over 100 years ago. 

Alongside these great events, don’t forget you can walk a self-guided tour of the towns of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham with the FREE Love Exploring App.

Just download the app to your smartphone, choose your town and click ‘Trails’ to access a self-guided tour of buildings in the centre of Grimsby or Cleethorpes or even the Pilgrims Trail in Immingham. Whilst these events are free, some require you to pre-book. There are 12 events in total across North East Lincolnshire, for more Heritage Open Day information, visit the Discover NEL website here. To pick up your Heritage Lincolnshire festival guide, visit the Tourist Information in Cleethorpes, Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, Grimsby Town Hall and libraries