Revel in Rugby's history during Heritage Open Days

The national celebration of architecture and culture runs from Thursday 11 September to Sunday 14 September 2014.

Many of Rugby's iconic and historic buildings open to the public for free during the event, with guided tours, exhibitions and talks all on offer.

Guided tours of Coombe Abbey Country Park take place on the Saturday, while on the Sunday Coombe Abbey Hotel, originally a Cistercian abbey built in the 12th century, invites visitors to free Medieval taster banquets, with food and entertainment on offer in the hotel's Abbeygate Baronial Hall.

A guided tour of Draycote Water on the Friday reveals the history of the reservoir and country park, while visitors to Rose Narrowboats, on the Fosse Way, can enjoy a free boat trip and learn about the history of canals on the Sunday.

A tour of Brownsover Hall Hotel on the Sunday gives visitors the chance to explore the grounds of the Victorian estate and look inside the former office of Sir Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine.

And the Arnold House and Masonic Buildings, in Elsee Road, open to the public on the Thursday, Friday and Sunday, offering the opportunity to visit the Masonic Temple, which houses one of the oldest pipe organs in Warwickshire.

A number of churches in the borough offer tours during Heritage Open Days, including St Matthew's and St Oswald's, in Lawford Road, the Church of the Ascension, in Clifton Road, and St Peter's Church, in Rugby Road, Dunchurch.

The event also includes a number of displays from Rugby history groups at the town's Visitor Centre, in Little Elborow Street.

A Midland Red bus from the 1960s parks outside the centre on the Friday, the centrepiece of the Rugby and District Historic Transport Studies Group's celebration of the town's transport heritage.

The group's display, which can be viewed on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday, includes a diorama of Clifton Road in the 1950s and public transport artefacts.

And to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, the Visitor Centre hosts a display tracing the personal histories of the men commemorated on the War Memorial at Whitehall Recreation Ground.

The Rugby Family History Group has researched all the names engraved on the memorial, and invite visitors to help with the ongoing research project during the event.

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for culture, said Heritage Open Days was a wonderful opportunity to explore Rugby's history and culture.

"Many of the buildings involved in our Heritage Open Days remain closed to the public the rest of the year or charge for admission," Cllr Timms added.

"The event's a great opportunity to find out more about Rugby's history and explore many of the town's most iconic buildings and places."

A leaflet detailing the full Heritage Open Days programme can be picked up at Rugby Visitor Centre, based at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.

More information can also be found online at www.enjoyrugby.co.uk

Places at certain Heritage Open Days events must be booked in advance. Call the Visitor Centre on (01788) 533217 for more details.