Brook Street Chapel Hall

Heritage Open Days 2025

Get ready to explore Knutsford’s rich history! A packed program of heritage events is coming to town this week as part of the national Heritage Open Days festival.

Knutsford Town Council has coordinated a programme of activity as part of the heritage festival which aims to celebrate the rich heritage across the UK, working with local historians and heritage sites to present a town-wide programme.

This year’s theme is architecture, a perfect fit for Knutsford’s stunning streets and buildings. Highlights include:

  • A self-guided Blue Plaque Tour to discover the stories behind the town’s historic landmarks.
  • A family-friendly Lego building session in Knutsford Market Hall where you can construct your own dream house or a local landmark.
  • A visit to Tabley House, the former home of the Leicester family, featuring state rooms with paintings by renowned artists like Turner, Lely, and Lawrence.
  • A talk from local historian Jenny Collis on the Knutsford workhouse
  • A visit to Brook Street Chapel for a display on local church architecture with pictures and poems related to Brook Street Chapel over the years and children’s activities.
  • A guided walk of the town centre lasting just over an hour.
  • A presentation from the Knutsford U3A Architecture group on Knutsford Architects and Buildings

Tim Banks of Knutsford Photographic Society said, “Our blue plaque trail is a great way to explore Knutsford. We’ve designed the trail to be enjoyed by all ages and hope people discover a little more of the stories behind this historic town. Try and answer the questions for each plaque, and learn a few of the town’s little secrets. You can do it in your own time and if you need a break, you are never far from a pub, café or restaurant. Please pick up the trail leaflet at the Heritage Centre’’

All events are free and will take place from September 18th to 21st. While the programme is free, some talks and walks have limited space and require advance booking.

For full details, booking information, and a complete schedule of events, visit the Heritage Open Days website. Printed guides are also available from the Heritage Centre, Brook St Heritage Site, Knutsford Library, Council Offices, and various businesses throughout the town.

Heritage Open Days Knutsford 2024 – Bookings Live!

This September Knutsford will be host to a collection of events as part of Heritage Open Days, international festival of heritage and culture.

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest community led festival of history, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

Events in Knutsford will run across three days from 6th – 8th September and feature walks, talks and book signings about some well-known and not so well-known Knutsford history.  

Planned events include screenings of Knutsford: Tales of War at Curzon, a talk on a brand new Knutsford history book, a tour of the Courthouse and underground cells and even a ghost walk!

Alex Molloy Events Manager at Knutsford Town Council said, “It is so important that we recognise and celebrate the rich and beautiful history of Knutsford.  We are very lucky that so many local faces have come together to share their knowledge for this festival – everyone is going to learn something new!”

All events are free however several require booking to make sure we can accommodate numbers. You can view the schedule of events and book spaces at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/heritageopendays. Due to the nature of some of Knutsford’s historic buildings and open spaces, not all events are accessible so please read the event description fully.

The Mayor holding a giant cheque with trustees of the heritage centre

Council continues support of Knutsford Heritage Centre

Knutsford Heritage Centre has received £7,500 from Knutsford Town Council as part of a four-year support agreement.

The Town Council has provided annual funding to Knutsford Heritage Centre since 2019. The funding covers the core operational costs of the centre, including utilities and insurance so the charity can focus on its efforts on exhibiting and archiving town artefacts.

The Heritage Centre was established in 1989 and is housed in a former tinsmith and ironmonger building which is accessed from King Street or Heritage Way. The premises is provided free of charge by the Tatton Estate.

Visitors to Knutsford Heritage Centre can view the incredible Knutsford Tapestry, displays of May Queen crowns and regular exhibitions on the history of Knutsford. The centre also includes a beautiful garden which features a life size carved oak statue of King Canute.

“Knutsford proudly boasts a rich heritage so its only right we have a place where visitors and residents can explore it – we’re pleased to continue our support of Knutsford Heritage Centre and look forward to working with them through our appointed trustee, as the centre secures a new manager this year” said Town Mayor, Cllr Peter Coan

Val Byrant, retiring manager of Knutsford Heritage Centre who was recently presented with an award for her contribution to the heritage of Knutsford, said “Our thanks go to the Town Council for their continuing support of the Heritage Centre.”

“The Heritage Centre is the jewel in the crown as a tourist attraction to the History of Knutsford. It has the beautiful Millennium Tapestry, which is a must to see. Do come and visit us.” Knutsford Heritage Centre is open Thursday to Saturday at 11am – 4pm.

An old postcard view of Heathfield Square

Residents invited to inform conservation area review

Residents are invited to have their say on a review of two of the town’s conservation arears.

Conservation areas are designated places of ‘special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance’ and five of the 77 conservation areas in Cheshire East are in Knutsford: Cross Town (designated in 2006), Heathfield Square (2006), Legh Road (1976), Town Centre (1989) and St John’s (1994). Following the commitment made in the Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan, Knutsford Town Council is leading a review of the five conservation areas in the town.

A key part of conserving a conservation area is having an up-to-date appraisal and management plan which ensures their special qualities are understood and their character and appearance are not compromised by development proposals and small-scale incremental change.

Work on the Legh Road conservation area appraisal and management plan was completed in 2021 and is awaiting formal public consultation from Cheshire East Council.

The Town Council is currently working with Donald Insall Associates to undertake a review of the four remaining conservation areas, starting with Heathfield Square and St John’s.

The Heathfield Square conservation area was last appraised in 2006 when it was created, this small area comprises Knutsford’s first council houses, built as ‘homes for heroes’ after the first world war. The St John’s conservation area covers the Victorian housing along St John’s Road, St John’s Avenue and County Terrace, as well as some of the houses on Bexton Road. There is currently no appraisal or management plan for this conservation area.

Residents interested in these conservation areas are invited to share their views at engagement sessions taking place on Saturday 19th November at the Town Council Offices. Two drop-in sessions are running from 10:30-12:00 and 12:30-14:00.

Work on the Town Centre and Crosstown conservation areas will commence in early 2023.

The top of a statue of a saluting soldier

Memories of World War Two Wanted

Did you grow up in Knutsford during the second world war, or know someone who did? Your memories are needed for an exciting new project which aims to record the history of the Town in an engaging documentary film.

The Memories of World War II project will see trained oral history volunteers undertaking social history interviews with residents who lived or worked in Knutsford during the 1930s and 40s. A team of volunteers has already been trained and are ready to get interviewing.

The interviews will be filmed and used to create a 1-hour documentary film telling the story of Knutsford during the war alongside photos and archive footage. The film will be engaging with the aim of appealing to a wider range of viewers and introducing them to more of the town’s history.

The raw interviews will also form important historical records and be published as an online archive.

Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green said “Your memories will possibly be the only place that parts of Knutsford’s history are kept and we want to get this on film for future generations. No matter how minor you may think your recollections are, they will help paint a picture of Knutsford during the war and we would be delighted to hear them.”

More information is available at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/memories-project.

Those wishing to participate in the project can contact the Town Council on 01565 653 929, in person at the Council Offices or by email at enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.