Dover opens heritage sites for national festival

A bronze age boat (pictured) is one item on display during the event

Heritage sites across Dover are to open to the public for free as part of a nationwide event.

Organisers of Heritage Open Days said the event, which runs until 21 September, was England's largest festival of history and culture.

Among the sites involved are the newly refurbished Maison Dieu, which is Dover's town hall, as well as Dover Museum & Bronze Age Boat Gallery and the Roman Painted House.

Dover District Council (DDC) said for locals it was an "opportunity to explore the history on their doorstep for free".

The Maison Dieu will be viewable across the 10 days

The festival, which runs annually for 10 days and involves thousands of local volunteers and organisations, has the theme of architecture this year.

Councillor Lynne Wright from DDC said: "We are delighted to be involved in Heritage Open Days once again this year.

"The festival offers free entry to so many of England's treasured assets. We have so much history and heritage in the district, and our visitors truly are spoilt for choice."

A councillor said she was "delighted" by the event

The authority is particularly pleased that the town hall can be part of the festival in 2025.

It reopened to the public in May after a £10.5m restoration thanks to DDC and National Heritage Lottery Funding.

Some sites are offering tours and workshops as part of the project, including a tour of mayor's parlour at the town hall which was designed by Neo-gothic architect and designer William Burges and now run as a holiday let by The Landmark Trust.