HERITAGE fans are invited to take a nostalgic trip through old Weymouth.

The centre of Weymouth may now be the crowded shopping areas of St Thomas Street and St Mary Street but it was once a thoroughfare on the other side of the harbour.

Weymouth’s old High Street, where the Old Town Hall and the Boot Inn stand, will be brought to life in a fascinating display this weekend.

It is being put together by the Guardians of the Old Town Hall, the community and arts venue which is currently undergoing a revamp.

The display is part of Heritage Open Days, an annual initiative by English Heritage to celebrate the country’s architectural heritage and make it accessible to the public free of charge.

Guardian and local historian Debby Rose said: “The display will show how it used to be in old Weymouth through pictures and photographs as well as artefacts from the past.

“For some it will be a nostalgic trip back in time conjuring up fond memories of how this area of Weymouth once was.

“Visitors who have memories of these streets are invited to bring along their own photographs and artefacts to show and to share their recollections of times gone by.

“With permission of the owner, old photographs can be scanned to form part of a collection so that the history of this area will not be lost.”

Although many of the buildings of the old High Street were damaged during the Second World War, most were demolished in the 1960s and clearance made way for the current council offices to be built on North Quay.

Only two of the very old buildings remain of the old High Street – the Old Town Hall and the Boot Inn.

The display will also focus on High West Street, North Quay, Silver Street, Jockeys Row and West Plains, the latter three of which were demolished in the 1930s to make way for the fire station.

The Old Weymouth High Street exhibition is at the Old Town Hall on Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11, from 11am-5pm.

For more information visit: weymoutholdtownhall.co.uk

• Heritage Open Days celebrate England’s architecture and culture by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission.

Every year in September, buildings of every age, style and function open their doors for four days.

Other places opening their doors include Beaminster Museum and nearby Mapperton House, the 17th-century Quaker Meeting House and Burial Ground and The Chantry, both in Bridport, St Laurence’s Church in Upwey, County Hall in Dorchester and Melbury House at Evershot.