Castles and stately homes among sites opening up

Locations will be free to the public for tours and talks as part of the Heritage Open Days

Heritage locations across the west of England are preparing to open their doors to visitors to learn more about the history and heritage of the region.

This year's theme of Heritage Open Days - England's largest festival of history and culture - is architecture, with buildings opening to the public for free.

People are invited to visit sites including castles, stately homes, museums, churches and universities across Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. These include Badminton House, various University of Bristol locations and the last remaining watermill on the River Yeo at Hinton.

Events take place from 12 to 21 September with more information on the Heritage Open Days website.

Wills Memorial Building in Bristol will be open to the public at designated times

Various University of Bristol locations including Goldney Grotto, the botanic gardens, the School of Earth Sciences EarthArt Gallery, and the Wills Memorial Building, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, are on Bristol's list of places to go.

Other tour locations include Bristol Museum, the M Shed, Mount of Olives and the Bristol Abolition walk, exploring the city's 1,000-year involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Tours and opening times for each of the events vary, with booking available online

Architecture to see and learn about in Somerset includes Birnbeck Pier, Wellington Monument as well as the watermill at Hinton.

There are also different options including a tour of Taunton recycling facility, a demonstration and tour of Studio B letterpress and a look into the use of steam power at Westonzoyland pumping station.

In Gloucestershire, as well as visiting Badminton House visitors can learn about the Quaker Meeting House in Nailsworth and a walk-and-talk around Gloucestershire's Alney Island.

While in Wiltshire, visitors can visit the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Chippenham for displays and activities and The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum for a curator talk.

Tours and opening times for each of the events vary, with more information available on the Heritage Open Days website.