Venues across Great Yarmouth are being urged to join a festival celebrating culture and history in the town. 

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is asking people to register properties for inclusion in this year’s Heritage Open Days (HODs) festival.

HODs is an annual national event that celebrates England's culture and history.

During the festival, visitors get free access to buildings that might usually be closed to the public. It also includes a range of other activities.

This year, HODs takes place from September 6 to 15 and will open up a varied range of properties across the country. The optional theme for 2024 is Routes, Networks and Connections.

The festival is co-ordinated by the National Trust, with support from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Locally, events and openings are co-ordinated by the borough council’s marketing and events team which supports organisations and volunteers who share a passion for places, history and culture.

All HODs events are free, including access to many sites that usually charge for admission.

Highlights from last year's festival included visiting the birth place of Anna Sewell, author of Black Beauty, a visit to Great Yarmouth Minster’s Bell Tower and a Pride Festival organised by the Pavilion Theatre.

Registering early for an event can gain exposure and ensure details are publicised in the Norfolk and Great Yarmouth HODs guide. 

READ MORE: Great Yarmouth history to be explored in guided walks

Event registration is now open and venues looking to get involved with HODs are asked to contact the borough council’s marketing and events officer Ruth Cockrill at ruth.cockrill@great-yarmouth.gov.uk.

Interested parties can also register directly with HODs at https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/get-involved/how-to-get-involved

The council recently launched a new series of 10 guided heritage walks which are offered from April to October and cover various topics and locations including the Medieval Town Wall.