Free open days will be held at a number of hidden gems across Warwick next month as part of a nationwide festival celebrating the country's history and culture.

More than 4,500 venues, activities and events will welcome visitors this September as Heritage Open Days (HODs) returns for 2022.

Organised by the National Trust, supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, the event will run from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 18.

In Warwick, residents will be able to visit St Paul's Church, St Nicholas Church, and St Mary's Church.

Dating back to 1695, Alderson House will also be open to visitors. Once the home of Lord and Lady Ilkeston, it is now a wedding venue and the meeting place for the Freemasons of Warwick.

Guided tours will also be available at Guys Cliffe

And the restored Victorian detached gardens with summer houses at Hill Close Gardens will also be welcoming visitors.

The different venues will open at varying times and days across the festival.

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Full opening times can be found on the HOD website here.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days marketing and projects manager said: "The festival is just around the corner and it is fantastic to see that our community is putting on a staggering 4,500+ events, with more than 500 focusing on our Astounding Inventions theme.

"Whether it's a doorstep discovery, a local curiosity, a world-famous attraction or a one-of-a-kind experience - there really is something for everyone this year"

Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "The history of the places where we live and work are what shape us and through their support for the festival, our players help people to connect with those places, and each other.

"Our players have raised over £4.4 million to support the National Trust to date and we're looking forward to seeing lots of visitors coming together to enjoy shared experiences again this year."

(Header image by Lydia via Flickr)