Hundreds of heritage sites across the east of England will be open to the public as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, from September 7-10. www.heritageopendays.org.uk

From Oliver Cromwell’s House and the private library of Samuel Pepys in Cambridgeshire to the Marconi Wireless Factory in Essex and Baroque Dancing in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, preparations are being made to share the culture and reveal hidden histories.

More than 800 individual sites will be taking part, with free admission to all events – including 12 National Trust properties.

Additional funding from the People’s Postcode Lottery has enabled a new focus on arts-themed events as well as history and natural heritage – in parks, green spaces, lakes and beaches.

New for this year is Old Harlow Heritage Day, Essex, which will celebrate Harlow’s 70th anniversary of becoming a new town in 1947. St John’s Arts and Recreation Centre will be celebrating the people and places, with family history workshops, exhibitions and displays including original materials from local shops in the 1950s, 60s and 70s - Saturday, from 10am-4pm.

The entry fee will be waived at Peckover House and Garden, in Wisbech. , Cambridgeshire

Come and explore the history of National Trust-owned Peckover, along with its wonderful two-acre Victorian garden. The venue is working on a project in partnership with the Arts Council, called Trust New Art - an exciting new presentation of the house in 2018. The artists involved, Sarah Evans and David Kefford, will be on site to tell visitors more about the project.

Sat 11am-4pm

The Red House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, explore behind the scenes with two days of exciting activities for all the family. Discover the role of a conservation assistant, listen to a talk exploring the thought process behind mounting an exhibition, while younger visitors can discover the bugs that live in the Red House and the problems they cause.

Friday and Saturday, from 11am till 5pm.

Visit: www.heritageopendays.org.uk for more information.