Everyone can explore the rich diversity of St Albans heritage at a series of open events which take place next month.

Herts Advertiser: The launch of the St Albans Heritage Open Days 2018 at the clock tower. Picture: DANNY LOOThe launch of the St Albans Heritage Open Days 2018 at the clock tower. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

The St Albans Heritage Open Days 2018 can offer a jam-packed roster of walks, tours, challenges and opportunities to visit ancient sites.

Historical places to explore include the Roman Theatre, Abbey Gateway, Redbournbury Mill, Marlborough Road Methodist Church and ancient woodland at Heartwood Forest.

The newly opened St Albans Museum + Gallery will be also holding a World War Two exhibition as part of the St Albans Business Improvement District (BID) Time Turner Festival, which sees different streets in the city centre themed for a different era.

Other museums showcasing their collections include the St Albans South Signal Box and Railway Museum, the De Havilland Aircraft Museum, and Verulamium Museum.

Although numerous organisations are hosting the events, St Albans Civic Society have co-ordinated the period.

Chairman of the civic society, Tim Boatswain, said: “St Albans has a wonderful heritage and it is really great that so many different organisations are prepared to participate in the Heritage Open Days.

“When you are a tourist you make sure to see everything but when you live somewhere, you often don’t visit the nice heritage sites. So it’s really nice for residents to be made aware of the rich heritage of St Albans and give them the opportunity to visit everything for free.”

The Three Towers Challenge is also running for a second-year running, back by popular demand.

Participants climb more than 800 steps up three of the city’s most iconic landmarks - St Albans Cathedral, St Peter’s Church tower, and St Albans Clock Tower.

Apply for a space on the challenge by emailing stalbanscivicsociety@gmail.com by September 5.

Heritage Open Days were established more than 20 years ago as England’s contribution to the European Heritage Days. The events aim to raise the public’s appreciation of the diverse cultural assets and the need for their protection.

The St Albans events run from September 6 to 9, and September 13 to 16. Find out more information at www.enjoystalbans.com