Discover treasures on your doorstep at The Judge’s Lodging this weekend

Treasure the Treasures on you Doorstep! is the theme of this year’s national Heritage Open Days scheme, which takes place over this weekend.

The Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne will be throwing open its doors to everyone for free on Sunday, September 11. Not only will visitors have the chance to wander around the judge’s sumptuous apartments, gloomy gas-lit servants’ areas and the grim cells and vast echoing courtroom, but there will also be lots of additional activities for all ages.

Two popular family trails will run throughout the building – The History Ducks, which have proved a huge hit this summer, will make one last appearance for visitors to seek out the historical characters depicted in duck form throughout the period rooms, using clues to identify them.

Also running will be a hilarious search for objects listed in the Sound of Music’s ‘My Favourite Things’ song, which was created to compliment the current community exhibition featuring some of the best and quirkiest items from the local history collection held at the museum.

Lots of photographs from the town’s past and audio recordings will also be available to browse and there will be additional activities in all sorts of corners to really add to the fun. One favourite, which is returning as a special request from visitors, is napkin folding, the Victorian way - follow Mrs Beeton’s instructions to make little booties, fans, bishop’s mitres and other shapes from the linen supplied.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to explore the Judge’s Lodging if you have not been before, but they would equally love to see people who are regulars!

Gaby Rivers, museum development manager, said: “We just love the Heritage Open Days scheme, which gives us a chance to say hello to so many people who might not usually come to visit, and share with them the building we love so much.

“The message of ‘Treasure the Treasures on your Doorstep’ could not be more pertinent now and we’d love to see many happy faces coming through our doors on Sunday. The more the merrier!”

Heritage Open Days is the largest heritage festival in the country. In 2015, more than 4,800 events welcomed around three million visitors across England. Heritage Open Days operates as part of the National Trust with funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Every single Heritage Open Days event is free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission. For details and opening times, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk .

Detail from the Lamp Room at The Judge’s Lodging.

The Judge’s Lodging, Presteigne.

http://www.visitmidwales.co.uk/Presteigne-The-Judge's-Lodging/details/?dms=3&venue=1021669