CLEEVE Abbey is delighted to announce it’s 2024 Local History Weekend - which takes place from Saturday, August 31 to Sunday, September 1.

The English Heritage property in Washford will put on special tours and an exhibition for visitors.

There will be two guided talks taking place each day at 11.30am and 2.30pm, led by an expert from English Heritage, lasting 90 minutes.

The morning tour, How to read Abbey buildings, will explore the fascinating discoveries people can make about these medieval religious buildings by looking at them in close detail. It will show how the fabric of Cleeve Abbey has changed with time, from design tweaks to building methods. 

The afternoon tour, Untold stories, will delve into the unusual and quirky stories attached to this jewel in Somerset’s historical landscape, such as its link to the right to claim sanctuary in religious places. It will also touch upon tales of treasure, evacuees, graffiti and even cider. 

English Heritage has invited the West Somerset Mineral Line Association to exhibit in the abbey with an exhibition of photographer and artefacts linked to Victorian engineering in the local area. The railway line was built in the mid-1800s to transport iron ore from the Brendon Hills to Watchet harbour in the Bristol Channel and onto to ironworks in Wales, but closed at the turn of the 20th century.

Teresa Pratt, Cleeve Abbey manager, said: “If you’re curious about the local area and of medieval buildings like Cleeve Abbey, then do visit for this special weekend. There’s something new to learn for everyone and there’s no need to pre-book our tours in advance.” 

The tours and exhibition for the Local History Weekend are included in the standard price of admission, which starts from £7.50 for an adult.  

For more information on Cleeve Abbey and to book tickets, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk.