Free tours of the ruins of the Augustinian Abbey in Kenilworth will be held next month as part of a nationwide festival celebrating the country's hidden gems.

More than 4,500 venues, activities and events will welcome visitors this September as Heritage Open Days (HODs) returns for 2022.

Organised by the National Trust, supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, the event will run from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 18.

In Kenilworth residents will be able to enjoy guided tours of the ruins in Abbey Fields led by members of the Kenilworth History & Archaeology Society.

Booking in advance is not necessary, tours will last around 90 minutes and the museum will be open on these days:

• Saturday 10 September: 2.30pm - 4.30pm
• Sunday 11 September: 2.30pm - 4.30pm Tour 3pm
• Saturday 17 September: 2.30pm - 4.30pm museum open
• Sunday 18 September: 2.30pm - 4.30pm museum open

Find out more here.

And St Nicholas Church will also be open for residents to look around.

Again, no booking is required and coffee is served Friday morning from 10.15am to 11.30am, as well as Sunday 11 2.30pm to 5pm.

advertisement

The church will be open from 10 to 5pm every day from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 18.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days marketing and projects manager said: "The festival is just around the corner and it is fantastic to see that our community is putting on a staggering 4,500+ events, with more than 500 focusing on our Astounding Inventions theme.

"Whether it's a doorstep discovery, a local curiosity, a world-famous attraction or a one-of-a-kind experience - there really is something for everyone this year"

Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: "The history of the places where we live and work are what shape us and through their support for the festival, our players help people to connect with those places, and each other.

"Our players have raised over £4.4 million to support the National Trust to date and we're looking forward to seeing lots of visitors coming together to enjoy shared experiences again this year."