Take a trip to the top of the tower during Heritage Open Days

GUIDED tours of the CEMEX Rugby Cement Plant take place next month during Rugby's Heritage Open Days celebration.
25 sierpnia 2016

Church of The AscensionVisitors can climb to the top of the plant's tower and capture a unique view of Rugby on camera during the tours - but with limited places on offer, book early to avoid missing out.

Heritage Open Days runs from Thursday 8 September to Sunday 11 September, with a host of Rugby's historic and iconic buildings opening to the public for free.

The CEMEX tours take place on the Thursday and Friday, while on the Friday the Mayor of Rugby, Cllr Sally Bragg, opens the doors of the Mayor's Parlour at the Town Hall.

Visitors can meet the Mayor at 3pm before being taken on a guided tour of the Council Chamber.

Historic buildings taking part in Heritage Open Days include Brownsover Hall Hotel, The Arnold House, Princethorpe College and Percival Guildhouse.

Rose Narrowboats offer free boat trips on the Oxford Canal in Stretton-under-Fosse, while visitors to Coombe Abbey Country Park can enjoy a guided tour of the park's lake, which was designed by Capability Brown.

A number of the borough's churches also take part in Heritage Open Days, including St Andrew's in the town centre, Newbold's St Botolph's and the Church of The Ascension at Clifton Road cemetery.

And Rugby Family History Group and Rugby Local History Research Group both support the event with displays at Rugby Library from the Thursday to Sunday.

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: "Heritage Open Days celebrates the history on our doorsteps and gives residents the chance to explore places which often remain closed to the public.

"We have a packed programme on offer for this year's event and with limited places available on tours, it's best to book early to secure a place."

Leaflets detailing the full Heritage Open Days programme can be picked up from Rugby Visitor Centre.

To book a place on a tour, call the Visitor Centre on (01788) 533217.

Picture caption: Guided tours of the Church of The Ascension take place during the Heritage Open Days celebration.