Heritage Avengers Assemble
Enter the Avengers Headquarters on a behind-the-scenes tour, where you can step into the shoes of your favourite superhero and walk along the famous Crescent Wing corridor featured in 'Age of Ultron'. Alongside this exclusive insight, you can also join further tours at the Sainsbury Centre that focus on the architecture of the Ziggurats and the first UEA buildings designed by Denys Lasdun. (Image: Kate Wolstenholme)
Down the aisle
Visit St. Peter and St. Paul Albury, which was used in 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and step inside the scenes of the Mike Newell romantic comedy. Following an extensive £40,000 conservation and restoration programme in the Drummond Chapel, the Friends of the Old Saxon Church are once again opening their doors to showcase their lavishly decorated Grade I Pugin church, its painted walls and stained glass, and stories that date back over 1,000 years.
A proposal from Mr Darcy?
For the Jane Austin fans amongst us, Stourhead is synonymous with Darcy's first (debatably romantic) proposal of marriage in the 2005 film of 'Pride and Prejudice'. However, now it is time to look further behind the screen and the romance to join a special pre-booked tour into Stourhead's hidden spaces, many of which are not usually available for public viewing. From the family bedrooms and servants' quarters, this tour will provide a unique insight into the lives of those not too dissimilar to Austin's well-known characters. Who knows, maybe you could recreate Mr Darcy's proposal in the Temple of Apollo after the tour?! (Image: National Trust / Chris Lacey)
This way to platform 9 3/4
Now, technically, this "site" isn't in the actual location where you may have seen it, but for the Potterheads out there who have visited Kings Cross station but been unable to find the bridge where Hagrid first gave Harry his ticket for the Hogwarts Express, wonder no further! This Grade I footbridge has moved over 50 miles south, to Ropley Station, after being donated by Network Rail following its dismantlement in 2008. Along with walking in the shoes of a wizard, visitors to Ropley will be given a behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of the Watercress Line’s Engineering Hubs and, on a Workshop tour, get up close to these fantastic machines to discover what's really involved when renovating and maintaining steam locomotives. For those unable to join in person, there will also be a specially produced video for the festival on their YouTube channel.
Giving 'The Full Monty'
Perhaps inspired by its appearance in 1997's 'The Full Monty', the Burton Street Foundation is "bearing all" and "stripping" back its past with a history mystery tour. Today, Burton Street is known by many as a fun and colourful centre that provides creative disability services for the people of Sheffield. However, if you dare to dig deeper, you may be interested in learning that visitors and workers also know the site well for its ghosts, apparitions, and poltergeists. Will you be brave enough to complete the tour and walk amongst the ghosts of Victorian teachers and school children to discover more? (Image: In the film Gaz's son went to school here. / Anne Grange)
Down the rabbit hole
Step through the looking glass at Antony House into Tim Burton's vision of 'Alice in Wonderland'. Explore the magnificent landscape garden - although keep your eyes peeled for the white rabbit - or venture inside and discover the 18th-century house and its ties to the Civil War. There will also be the opportunity to join a guided tour to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where you'll uncover the stories and memories of the WRENS stationed at nearby H.M.S Raleigh, as well as the secrets held in the surrounding woodlands, which were the training grounds for American troops and the impact felt on the local community. (Image: National Trust & James Dobson)
Sailing to a world of pure imagination
Alongside Timothée Chalamet, the Lydia Eva YH89 Steam Drifter also played a starring role in 2023's 'Wonka', by transporting the young chocolatier to England. Moored on Great Yarmouth's Heritage South Quay, you can explore her wheelhouse and discover how fishermen worked and lived in the 1930s. There will even be a performance by the Rogue Shanty Buoys. (Image: Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Charitable Trust)
PLEASE NOTE - These events were accurate at the time of publication but details are subject to change. Check the individual entries for more.
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