Heritage Open Day at Clandon Park
Explore the unexpected at Clandon Park. Since the fire in 2015 the National Trust has undertaken extensive research and made discoveries that have altered our understanding of the people, stories and the timeline of Clandon. The fire revealed layers of the many hands who crafted and fashioned the house, of the ordinary lives who, from near and far, left their imprint on Clandon and helped to create somewhere extraordinary.
This year Heritage Open Days is focussed on the themes of routes, networks and connections. Clandon has been slowly revealing its secrets, our research has uncovered powerful stories of people and objects of the past, and to the journeys that brought them to Clandon. The objects on display at our events were mostly discovered in the bones of the house – its walls, fixtures, and even in the ground. We see evidence of craft skills that have unlocked a richer understanding of where materials were sourced from, as well as providing our design team and contemporary craftspeople with insight into how the house was made.
Join the National Trust project team for 5 days in September to discover the work that goes into conserving Clandon, and the exciting plans that respond to the evocative spaces created by the fire and the findings the team have uncovered.
What’s on offer for Heritage Open Days?
- Meet the project team and talk to them about the designs, our consultation process, and the future of Clandon.
- See objects that were salvaged from the house after the fire that have enriched our knowledge of how the house was made, the people who made it, and those who have lived and worked here over the centuries.
- Demonstrations from our expert heritage craftspeople, such as stone masons and mortar specialists
- Have a go at creating a print inspired by Clandon’s collection with an artist from the Royal College of Art.
While the construction works are underway, access to the house is not possible so all activities will be in a marquee in the garden. The events taking place throughout Heritage Open Days are free, the marquee will be situated on the east lawn. We hope you’ll find something for everyone. Some events need to be pre-booked to reserve a space.
Event timings:
- Saturday 7 September 11:00-15:00: Historic objects and materials demonstration, displays, hands on creative activities.
- Sunday 8 September 11:00-15:00: Drop-in print workshop with an artist from the Royal College of Art, historic objects and materials demonstration, displays, hands on creative activities.
- Thursday 12 September 16:00-19:00: An evening of short talks about what’s been happening behind the scenes (Booking required):
- 4-5pm Our approach to Conservation – Senior Project Manager
- 5-6pm Hear what it means to work as a Conservation Architect – Francesca Beltrame
- 6-7pm Clandon’s exceptional bricks – Clandon Talks Volunteer
- Friday 13th September 11:00-15:00: Displays and hands on creative activities.
- Saturday 14th September 11:00-15:00: Heritage crafts demonstration, displays, hands on creative activities.
- Sunday 15th September 11:00-15:00: Heritage crafts workshop with a mortar and stone specialist (Booking required), displays, hands on creative activities.