Residents and visitors to Northumberland will be given a rare opportunity to see some of the county’s hidden architectural treasures when the doors to many of its most historic buildings are opened to the public, free of charge.

The Heritage Open Days  event  is taking place between Thursday 7 and  Sunday  10 of  September.

The open days are free and fun and provide an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to explore the fantastic cultural heritage of Northumberland.  

A wide range of tours, events and activities are on offer. Dozens of  attractions are taking part including the ever popular  Cragside House in Rothbury. There will be the  the opportunity to look around local churches, Morpeth Clock Tower and the Rothbury Trenches.  There will also be the chance to look behind the scenes of Northumberland Archives at  Woodhorn Museum and get a rare glimpse into the work that goes into preserving diverse collections which  cover over 800 years of Northumberland’s fascinating history.

Northumberland county Councillor, cabinet member with responsibility for culture , arts and leisure,  Cllr Cath Homer said:
“ This hugely popular annual event provides free public access to historic  buildings and local landmarks,  many of which are not usually open to the public.

"It's an unmissable opportunity for residents and visitors to get a glimpse behind the scenes, and perhaps get a better understanding and appreciation of our county's rich cultural heritage.”

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,500 organisations, 5,000 events and 40,000 volunteers.

To view a full list of this year’s attractions visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/