European Open Days take place across 50 countries and include Heritage Open Days in England and, with slightly perverse naming, Doors Open Days in Scotland and Open Doors Days in Wales.

Taking place September 9-18 2022, the English events have a theme this year of 'Astounding Inventions'.

Labelled as England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days (HOD) comprises specific events and access to places that are normally hidden. And it’s all free. Led by the National Trust, HOD is supported by People’s Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers.

This year’s theme of Astounding Inventions offers a celebration of the creations that make our lives easier as well as the imaginative inventors behind them. Alongside these stories of creative successes, the festival will also include some of the blunders, fads and failures that pepper England’s rich history of innovation.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open...