A Bridport landmark will open to the public next month in a celebration of outstanding architecture.

The historic Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi) in East Street was rescued from neglect and near-dereliction and resurrected in 2018 as a community hub.

The building was repurposed in 2021 with an innovative partnership, comprising charitable and commercial elements to ensure its sustainability in the post-pandemic world.

The financial support and technical expertise of organisations including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England were essential to the project and high among stakeholders' stipulated priorities were continuing public access and engagement. 

As well as the varied events, activities and facilities available on the premises, the LSi will open its doors as part of Heritage Open Days 2023, running from September 8 to 17.

It will open specially on Saturday, September 16, to offer a glimpse of how the LSi has been developed and functions today. Accompanied viewings will be available between 10am and 1pm.

Phyllida Culpin, chair of Bridport Area Development Trust (BADT), which owns the LSi, said: "The 200-year-old Literary and Scientific Institute has a colourful story to tell and continues to be a valuable asset at the heart of the community. 

"In co-operation with Crowdfunder, BADT's lead tenants, the building hosts a wide range of social, cultural, educational, creative and advisory events and activities, as well as workspaces including drop desks, hot desks, a meeting room and a podcast and editing suite.

"It is great to see the premises still maintain the philanthropic aims and objects of its founders almost two centuries ago."

Dorset Architectural Heritage Week has run for more than 30 years. Organised throughout that time by East Dorset Heritage Trust, it now operates under the auspices of Heritage Open Days, a national event run by the National Trust.

It is a festival of the historic and contemporary architecture of Dorset. All Architectural Heritage Week events are free and run by volunteers.  

County town going all out for Heritage Open Days

A number of events will also be taking place in Dorchester on Sunday, September 10 to mark the event, organised by Dorchester Heritage Committee, with free entry to The Keep Military Museum, Shire Hall Museum and Dorset Museum.

Dorset Museum will be having a free interactive pop-up exhibition on one of Dorset's finest Iron Age hillforts, Badbury Rings. At Shire Hall Museum you can look around the cells and historic courtroom, and at The Keep Military Museum you can explore inside and see the breath-taking views across Dorchester from their roof top terrace.

Also in the town centre, visit the Corn Exchange foyer and view plans for the new entrance refurbishments with Dorchester Arts. Pop in between 11am and 3pm.

And all are welcome to visit St Peter's Church for free self-guided tours, children's trail and bell-ringing tower tours. You can join in with the monthly choral Eucharists, with glorious choral music in their service at 10.30am.

On the outskirts of Dorchester, you can visit Thomas Hardy's House, Max Gate, for free between 10.30am and 4.30pm, iwht last entry at 3.30pm – booking is advised.

There is a huge variety of free guided walks happening on the day too. High West and High East Street will be closed between 10.45am and 4.30pm for people to admire the street and join in with walks being led by Dorchester Civic Society and local historians Mark Chutter and Steve Wallis.

All are looking at different aspects of Dorchester's heritage from Thomas Hardy, Judge Jeffreys, Tolpuddle Martyrs and the magnificent buildings and architecture along High West and High East Street. 

Cafes and restaurants along High East and High West Street will be offering take away food and sit in menus throughout the day for visitors to the event. 

The day will finish off with a mass Hokey Cokey outside Tom Browns pub at 3.30pm followed by free live music with the Chris Davies Band. Plus, a free Dorchester Arts evening concert at Corn Exchange 6pm with piano music and songs by the Smith family, no booking required. 

Free parking wil be offered all day for most Dorset Council car parks in Dorchester, excluding on-street parking.