by Faith Eckersall
Do you live in an architectural gem, ancient or modern? Or is there an interesting building in your garden or on your land.

If so, Dorset Architectural Heritage Weeks would love you to get in touch.

The annual event is more than 30 years old and the organisers are always looking for new properties and buildings that they can share, says East Dorset Heritage Trust’s manager, Sarah Evans.

“We had a gap in 2020 and 2021 and came back last year and were able to inject new life into it, but we’d just like to have new people on board.” she said.

“We’d love to have some new places and a wider range of buildings. Currently we have about 60, but would like to get that to 80.”

On her wish-list is Grand Designs style properties, innovative new-builds, theatres and quirky places.

“The building could be 500 years old or five months, it doesn’t matter,” she said.
She is also looking for more councils to open up their buildings. “People love ‘behind the scenes’ situations; going into parts of public buildings that they may have visited but not been allowed to see all of it,” she said.

“We know councils and other bodies keep people out of some areas of their property for very good reasons but they may be able to open them over the Dorset Architectural Heritage Weeks, from September 8 to 17, so that people can get a glimpse of these unseen places.”

Good examples of spaces which have been very popular include the Talbot Heath School Air Raid Bunker, which was actually refurbished in 2011 and shows how girls from the school would have sheltered from Second World War bombing raids.

Other examples are Manor House Ruins (pictured) at Witchampton and the Trust’s very own Allendale House in Wimborne. Church towers or crypts are also popular, said Sarah.
“Entry must be free but many buildings ask for donations which people sometimes like to leave.”

Prospective venues are visited by the Trust’s team, to check on accessibility and safety and, if accepted, are insured under the Heritage Open Days public liability insurance.
“Owners aren’t expected to know all the history of their property and we don’t expect everything to be a big building or space.

“Even if you think your structure or property is too small, please get in touch because it might just be perfect,” she said.

More info from 01202 888992 /sarah.evan@edht.org.uk /edht.org.