Out and about

Many of the places on offer aren't usually open to the public, so it's your chance to look behind closed doors.  Others have got special events lined up to ensure you have a particularly enjoyable time - and as last year's Heritage Open Days around the country attracted more than a million visitors they're obviously doing something right!

Here's just a few of the delights on offer:

120 mediaeval carved angels fly across the roof at St Wendreda's Church in March and John Betjeman is reported to have found them 'worth cycling 20 miles against a headwind to see'.  The church is also open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you can pre-book tours by calling 01354 654783.

An up-market pub crawl is on offer in Peterborough city centre tonight with a guided tour of its pubs and taverns, past and present.  You'll need to book a place by calling 01733 452336.

Friday 7th September

The Friends of Friendless Churches invite you to their Grade II listed St Andrew's Church at Wood Walton.  Thousands of commuters on the East Coast mainline have probably spotted its tower from their trains.  Its fragile status means it's usually closed to the public.  St Andrew's is also open from Thursday to Sunday from 2.30pm.

Staying with an ecclesiastical theme, St Ives' Sacred Heart Church is throwing open its doors.  The 1840s Pugin-designed church was originally built on Union Road in Cambridge.  In 1902 it was dismantled, put on a barge and sent to St Ives where it was rebuilt on its present site - all in less than five months. Sacred Heart is open on Saturday and Sunday as well.

Peterborough Cathedral

Saturday 8th September

A behind-the-scenes tour of Peterborough's Museum and Art Gallery is on offer on Saturday and Sunday.  A children's tour will also help keep youngsters occupied. You could then nip to the Cathedral for a visit of its working areas, which are rarely opened to visitors.

There's pond dipping, boat tours and an eel catcher to meet at Wicken Fen.  It's also the home of a rare wooden wind mill, which still helps to manage the reserve's drainage - and it'll be in in action.

And in Cambridge there'll be a re-enactment of the mediaeval Stourbridge Fair at the city's Leper Chapel while the Queen's Head, a quiet country pub just outside in Newton, is also throwing open its doors for tours.

Sunday 9th September

The house where Oliver Cromwell lived for ten years - now Ely's Tourist Information Centre - will be open today.  On the ground floor there are mediaeval wall paintings to view.  But for the most complete and important sets of fourteenth century domestic wall paintings in Northern Europe - you need to visit Longthorpe Tower near Peterborough, also open today only.

Wicken Fen's cottage is worth a visit

Staying near Peterborough, you can enjoy a gentle one-hour stroll through Thorney Village visiting mediaeval abbey as well as its Victorian model village, while for a more modern architectural gem there's New Hall college in Cambridge, which was opened in 1965 and is Grade II listed. It's allowing visitors during the afternoon.

The Norris Museum in St Ives is open for visitors.  This purpose-built museum has a lovely location on the river.  And the town's Bridge Chapel will also be open to the public.

Altogether there are forty-two Open Days to chose from and for full listings: