This Saturday (18 October), pay a visit to Castle Hill where the Museum of Cambridge, Kettle’s Yard, the churches and Cambridge Castle (well, the mound where the castle once stood) will be open for free all day.
Plenty of events will be taking place, including drop in art activities, tours, meet the artists, pop-up cafes (plus food from Steak and Honour) and great music. Brush up on your local history with Blue Badge Guide Allan Brigham, find out about Cambridge in the First World War with Kettle’s Yard archivist Freida Midgely then enjoy choir music at St Giles’ Church.
Cambridge through history…
Cambridge’s Castle Hill area is where the city began in Roman times. The Roman city of Duroliponte was located here and there is even evidence of earlier, pre-Roman activity.
Opposite Kettle’s Yard is St Peter’s, a simple, tiny church with an elegant spire. Originally built in the 11th Century, it features rare Roman tiles in its walls. On the other side of Castle Street is St Giles’ an active church with a history going back to 1092.
A short walk up the hill is Castle Street Methodist Church. Celebrating its centenary this year, the church is situated on a site developed during the Roman occupation and the current chapel was built in 1914.
A short walk further brings you to the Castle Mound, the site of Cambridge Castle, which played an important role in the Civil War, refortified by Oliver Cromwell in 1642. Shire Hall, now occupied by the County Council was the site of the city jail and bricks from the jail walls were used in the building. Deep beneath the council buildings you will discover the former nuclear bunker, the County Council has converted the space to store significant items from its archaeological collections.
Returning to the present day, the Museum of Cambridge – housed within a wonderful 17th Century timber framed building – and Kettle’s Yard run lively programmes of events relating to social history and to contemporary and modern art.
Events will run throughout the day both timed and drop in – there’s no need to book, just turn up and enjoy. For the full programme, see: www.kettlesyard.co.uk/openday
