From Thursday, September 12, until Sunday, September 15, places such as the Abbey Gateway, Wheathampstead Old Railway Station and St Albans Signal Box will be open for free.

In addition, there will be walks, exhibitions and talks about the Mayoralty from the current Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster.

Heritage Open Days, which are held nationally, celebrate England’s architecture and culture.

A new addition this year is an opportunity to follow In the Steps of Frank Salisbury, a Victorian portraitist of the Royal Family who was born in Harpenden.

The town’s Local History Society has arranged a series of walks and talks exploring the artist’s life and work.

Two new exhibitions have been organised by the St Albans and Herts Architectural and Archaological Society – a First World War display and Travel Transport display being held in the Abbey.

The Mayor will be giving her talks in the courtroom of the Old Town Hall at 12.30pm and 1.30pm next Saturday, September 13.

During the weekend, St Albans City Tour Guides will host free walks around St Albans and Verulamium Park and the annual Giant Monopoly event will feature a big silver dog and a racing car to mark the two start points this year.

There is also the opportunity to visit local homes where residents are using new initiatives to save energy. Local environmental group Transition St Albans has worked with residents who are opening their doors to talk about making their homes more energy efficient.

All the details can be found in a Heritage Open Days booklet, produced by St Albans district council and available from the Tourist and Information Centre in St Albans, libraries around the district and participating venues.

Details are also available online at the website www.enjoystalbans.com/heritagedays