Gloucester Civic Trust

09/09/2026

Changes to this weekend's Gloucester Heritage Open Days 2026 programme:

Unfortunately, two events have been cancelled:

Third Age Folk. Friday 11th September at 14.00 at St Nicholas Church, Westgate Street.
The Story of Imjin River and the 75th anniversary. Saturday 12th September at 11.00 at The Ed Shed , The Folk of Gloucester, Westgate Street.

But we have added St John’s Church, Northgate Street to our offering on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September, 10.00 – 13.00.
St John's is a Classical Grade II* Georgian church opened in 1734, only the tower, spire and font survive from the earlier medieval building. Several important people were connected with the church such as Raikes, Rich and Rudhall and the East Window was installed in 1880 to commemorate the centenary of the Sunday School Movement.

We've also added extra Bones & Bells tours at St Mary de Crypt Church at Friday 11th September & Sunday 13th September at 2pm. You can book at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercivictrustlimited

08/09/2026

06/09/2026

📢 REMAINING TICKETS for Gloucester Heritage Open Days - there are still some places on the following free tours:

Tours of The Folk of Gloucester - Friday 11th & Saturday 12th September 10am, 12pm & 2pm (Duration: 45 mins)

Roman Times city tour - Friday 11th September 11am (duration: 1 hour)

Tour of Gloucester City AFC - Friday 11th & Sunday 13th September 11am (duration: 1 hour)

Tour of the Gloucester Antiques Centre Ltd - Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 1pm & 3pm

🎫 You can book yourself a place at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercivictrustlimited

And don't forget - there are plenty of talks, walks and open buildings that don't require booking. Check out the full programme here:https://gloucestercivictrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Gloucester-Heritage-Open-Days-2026-brochure-finalised.pdf

04/09/2026

Continuing with our brilliant programme of talks and music at The Folk of Gloucester for Gloucester Heritage Open Days 2026, here are our speakers for Saturday the 12th of September:

12:30 – Songs from the Workhouse
Local Folk choir Shepherd's Crook sing songs collected at Winchcombe workhouse by Percy Grainger and Cecil Sharp at the turn of the 20th Century, and talk about what life was really like in these institutions.

2pm (main building) – Nethra Academy of Performing Arts
Nethra Academy of Performing Arts - NAPA was founded in January 2018 as a cultural organisation to promote Indian classical performing arts - Bharatanatyam (Dance), Carnatic Vocal, and Instrument (Mridangam), and to support the local communities in Gloucestershire. We're delighted to welcome them back for another performance this year.

2pm (Ed Shed) – “A Walk through Time”: Stories of the Victorian Docks
This talk by Tony Conder delves into the everyday life of the docks in Victorian times, as seen by the dock’s policeman. From murder to the mundane, we follow the stories ranging from lack of health and safety to trouble with 'foreigners’. Drawn from the pages of the Citizen.

3:30 – Touchwood: the origins of sayings and traditions
Why have we always muttered phrases to ourselves or repeated actions to explain the unexplainable? Actions or words not based on reason, logic or science have always guided our lives and hopes, helping us foretell and dispel bad luck. They are as old as the mists of time and will never cease to fascinate us - touch wood! A talk by Katherine Kear.

This year, there's no need to book for talks, so just make a note in your diary and come along on the day! The Folk of Gloucester's historic building will be open to look around, and our cafe will be serving delicious freshly-prepared lunches, homemade cake and hot and cold drinks.

01/09/2026

🎉 What a fantastic eight days for Gloucester Civic Trust!

This summer we were delighted to work alongside the Three Choirs Festival for the first time, welcoming visitors from across the country to discover the fascinating history of Gloucester through our guided walks.

Despite soaring temperatures throughout the festival, our amazing volunteer guides went above and beyond, sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm and love of our city with every group they met.

Over the eight days we welcomed more than 200 pre-booked visitors, plus plenty of extra walk-ins, as well as two coach parties of 35+ guests and visitors from English Holiday Cruises. From Roman Gloucester and Saxon history to Music & Poetry and Monks & Canons, every tour was met with great interest and wonderful feedback.

As with any new partnership, there were a few challenges along the way, but thanks to the fantastic teamwork between the Three Choirs Festival team and our guides, every tour ran successfully. It was a brilliant example of what can be achieved when organisations work together to celebrate our city's heritage.

Most importantly, this success belongs to our incredible volunteers. ❤️ Their passion, commitment and friendly welcome made a lasting impression on so many visitors and helped showcase Gloucester at its very best.

A huge THANK YOU to every guide who gave their time, energy and expertise during such a busy week. You should all be incredibly proud of what you've achieved!

Here's to many more successful partnerships and sharing Gloucester's amazing story with even more visitors in the years to come. 👏🏛️

Gloucester Gloucester Cathedral Gloucester BID English Holiday Cruises

31/08/2026

Our 2027 Gloucester Civic Trust Calendar is here! 🎉

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, this year's calendar is packed with stunning photographs and beautiful historic artwork – and the fabulous front cover is just the beginning!

📍 If you're able to, we'd love you to collect your calendar from The Folk of Gloucester to help us reduce increasing postage costs. Our wonderful Visitor Welcome Stewards will be happy to help – and might even treat you to an impromptu tour of the building.

If you're in Gloucester this September for Gloucester Day, Heritage Open Days, or the Gloucester History Festival, why not pop in, collect your calendar, and enjoy a cuppa and cake while you're here? ☕🍰 Don't forget your Gloucester Civic Trust Membership Card to receive 10% off food and hot drinks.

Can't make it? Don't worry – your calendar will be delivered later in the year.

If you would prefer not to receive your calendar, please let us know by emailing [email protected].

The Folk of Gloucester Gloucester History Festival Gloucester Gloucester BID

26/08/2026

There are some fascinating free talks at The Folk of Gloucester for Gloucester Heritage Open Days 2026! First up, four great speakers for Friday the 11th of September:

11am – Shire News: The Future of Local News?

Will Luker (AKA Call me Will - Journalism Page) is a Gloucestershire journalist who writes his own local independent newsletter called The Shire News, inspired in part by J.R.R Tolkien's depiction of the quintessential "Shire". Join Will as he talks journalism, the current challenges for local news, its future and what makes a good local news story.

12:30pm – The Regal, Gloucester: Now and Forever

Join Ross Campbell on a journey through the cinema / theatre's fascinating history, from opening night of 19th March,1956, to singing sensations like Tommy Steele and the Beatles, to King's School speech days, the glory of the G.O.D.S' stage shows, and the sun-filled fun of Gloucester Carnival. Books will be available to buy at the talk.

2pm – Our Heritage of Song

Local folk singer Robin Burton looks at our English heritage of traditional song and the process which creates "traditional" song. He also covers how we so nearly lost this heritage and how it was rescued from oblivion.

3:30pm – Gloucestershire Observed

Local historian Tony Conder looks at 500 years of diary entries on life in Gloucestershire. From drinking and pay, to the local take on National news and worries about potholes, they offer an inside view of the city.

This year, there's no need to book in advance, so put it in your diary and come along to The Folk of Gloucester Ed Shed on the day!

11/08/2026

Booking is now open for Gloucester Heritage Open Days!

Heritage Open Days is a FREE citywide celebration of this Gloucester's amazing history, culture and architecture. Explore historic buildings which are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Enjoy exclusive tours, guided walks and talks not available at other times of year. Watch talented local musicians and performers, ranging from medieval court music to Indian classical dance.

Most events don't need to be booked, but for those that do, you can reserve your free place here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/gloucestercivictrustlimited

You can read the full brochure at the link below, or pick one up from The Folk of Gloucester, St. Michael's Tower and many other locations across Gloucester!https://gloucestercivictrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Gloucester-Heritage-Open-Days-2026-brochure-finalised.pdf

10/08/2026

The Gloucester Archaeology Festival has wrapped for another year! But your feedback is so important ! If you can spare a few mins to let us know what you loved and didnt it will help with next years festival!
Gloucester Festival of Archaeology GlosArch Sarah Snell-Pym Writer and Artist The Folk of Gloucester Gloucester BID
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjnqsFiUXXZVjQyFuYLD3tpYwb1t3EbDkt8n_5Ju2E6boIhg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

06/08/2026

The brochures for Gloucester Heritage Open Days 2026 and Gloucester History Festival have arrived! 😃 Come and collect yours from The Folk of Gloucester, St. Michael's Tower or many other locations around town.

With a packed programme of guided walks, talks, tours and music, you'll certainly get your history fix this September!