A CHANCE to look inside some of Huntingdonshire’s most prestigious historical buildings is on offer as part of a celebration of Britain’s heritage.

A CHANCE to look inside some of Huntingdonshire’s most prestigious historical buildings is on offer next month as part of a celebration of Britain’s heritage.

Running from September 9-12, some 4,000 churches and stately homes across England will be open for free as part of the Heritage Open Days.

Taking place annually, Heritage Open Days attract more than a million visitors and are co-ordinated by the Civic Trust, English Heritage and volunteers.

The aim of the four-day event is to allow members of the public to explore the fascinating buildings on their doorsteps.

This year, people in Huntingdonshire are being given the opportunity to take a look inside Buckden Towers, which is the former palace of the Bishop of Lincoln. Tours of the 15th century tower, gatehouse and Knot Garden are taking place on Sunday, September 12 from 1pm to 5pm. Visitors will also be able to enjoy refreshments, browse produce stalls and see costumes and crafts from Tudor times. Entry to the Towers is free and the tour costs �1 for adults.

The 15th century Broughton Village Church and Broughton Village Lockup will be open on Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12 from 10am to 6pm.

Houghton Mill is hosting a costumed open day on Saturday, September 11 from 11am to 4.30pm. This will be a chance for people to meet those who would have worked at the mill in Victorian times.

The grade II listed medieval, St Andrew’s Church in Woodwalton will be open on the Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm displaying ancient stone coffin lids and neo-classical monuments.

On the Sunday from 10am to 4pm St John the Baptist’s Church in Papworth St Agnes will be open to visitors. The church was saved from demolition by The Friends of Friendless Churches in 1979.

In St Ives the town’s recently refurbished Corn Exchange will be open to visitors on the Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Also open at the same times will be the town’s 15th century Bridge Chapel in Bridge Street which has a varied history including time as a pub.

Joanna McPhee, outreach officer for English Heritage in the East of England said: “Every year the event gets bigger. There will be a Heritage Open Day venue on nearly everyone’s doorstep. Many of the properties opening up are normally off-limits to the public, so this is a fabulous opportunity to explore, discover and have fun. Not only are the secrets and history laid bare, you can also meet the people who live or work in those buildings and who are delighted to share their knowledge.”