Heritage Open Days run from Thursday, September 10, until Sunday, September 13.

The largest heritage festival in the UK, you can discover castles, theatres, tunnels, towers, manors, churches – many for free. 

The four-day festival also lets you learn about your town’s fascinating history and see secret sights often not open to the public. Many venues are also putting on special events during the weekend.

To find a full list of what’s on in your area, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk

 

Here’s our guide to some of the Kent attractions opening up…

If you don’t know your timber jigger from your root chopper – this weekend could be a good time to find out. A historic collection charting the agricultural history of Kent is housed in one of the finest surviving late 14th century barns in the south of England. Agricultural Museum in The Street, Brook, near Ashford, will be open to the public between 2pm and 5pm on Friday, Saturday and, Saturday and Sunday. No booking neded. More information at www.agriculturalmuseum brook.org.uk

The Beaney, Canterbury

Discover the unexpected. A mummified cat, artworks and artefacts feature in a highlights tour of the Beaney Museum in Canterbury High Street on Saturday, between 2pm and 3pm. It is suitable for 12s and over. To book, call 01227 862162 or visit www.canterbury.museums.co.uk

Morris men perform their dance at the annual Hop Hoodening service

Catch a hobby-horse with snapping jaws – known as the hooden horse – who welcomes in the hop harvest in traditional style with Morris dancers in Canterbury Cathedral precincts from 12.30pm, followed by drinking songs in the cathedral archives at 1pm, and the Hop Hoodening service between 1.30pm and 2.30pm, all new for this year’s open days.

Once a powerhouse for traders in the 15th century, the Grade II listed ragstone Corpus Christi Hall in Earl Street, Maidstone, opens its large wooden doors throughout the weekend, giving the public the chance to see behind them for the first time in 15 years. Recently reopened as a bar and restaurant and events venue, it will join the county town’s regular open days haunts, including the Archbishop’s Palace and the Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages, which presents its collection of carriages for display. Entry free, open Sunday between 10am and 4pm.

The Grand Shaft triple spiral staircase at Dover

If you’re up for the climb, the Grand Shaft Staircase is well worth the effort. It’s a triple spiral staircase built between 1803 and 1809 which connected the Grand Shaft Barracks on the cliff top at Dover and Snargate Street down at sea level. No booking necessary. Free, open 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. More information at www.doversociety.org.uk

HADLOW TOWER is a stand-out building in every way. The unique Gothic folly, near Tonbridge, which is 175ft tall and has been a landmark since the 17th century, is now fully restored and will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 3.30pm. Complete with exhibition centre on the ground floor, and lift to the fourth floor, it’s not, however, recommended for under threes. More info at www.hadlowtower.com

Herne Bay Little Theatre, Bullers Avenue

Probably the smallest theatre in the Canterbury area, Herne Bay Little Theatre in Bullers Avenue started off as a catholic holiday home for deprived children. Today it has a charming auditorium of 72 seats for live theatre and films. On Friday, at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, it will be the venue for a talk on the rise of the Kentish seaside resort, charting the history of towns like Margate, which became popular with Londoners from the mid 18th century.
More information at www.hernebaylittletheatre.com

The Theatre Royal in Addington Street, Margate

Soak up the historic atmosphere in the gods or survey all before you in the royal box at Margate’s Theatre Royal on Saturday and Sunday. The Grade II listed building, which dates back to 1787 and was remodelled by the Victorians, will have mini interactive performances by three actors playing the theatre’s resident ghosts and there will be backstage tours for small groups at 10.30am, noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. Entry is free although the tours cost £3. Call 01843 292795 to book or go to theatreroyalmargate.com

Eastgate House

There’s another chance to ride Medway’s open top bus when it takes to the road with a running commentary covering stories including the siege of Rochester Castle in 1215. As part of the 800th anniversary celebrations of the siege, Tower Two in Rochester Castle Gardens in Castle Hill will be giving visitors the chance to try food and medicine from medieval times on Saturday and Sunday, between 10.30am and 4pm both days. No booking required, but not recommended for under threes. The bus runs on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 4pm. For details go to www.visitmedway.org