MALDON venues will open their doors for Heritage Open Days from Friday, 12 to Sunday, 14 September.

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture. Running for ten days every September, the festival offers free access to heritage events and activities across England.

This year's theme for Heritage Open Days is "Architecture", 'focusing on how we've designed and built the world around us.'

Maldon Town Council has coordinated a Heritage Open Days programme in partnership with many of the Town's local heritage venues, organisations, and volunteers, catering for a wide range of interests.

Maldon Heritage Group have a calendar of events as follows:

Friday, 12 September

Maeldune Heritage Centre, CM9 4PZ 11:00am-4pm

There will be a fun treasure hunt around town as you explore Maldon's Architecture through its stories. Complete the quiz - then return to the Maeldune Heritage Centre for a prize.

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Maldon Museum in the Park, CM9 5HX 1pm-4pm is planning displays based around the history of the museum building; displaying architectural plans and photos to show the change from house to museum, including how the entrance to the Prom looked before the building was there.

Maldon Society's oral history recordings and photographic archives with an architecture theme at the listening station and viewed on the touch screen at Maeldune Heritage Centre, CM9 4PZ 11-4pm St Mary's Church, CM9 5JB Refreshments from 2pm to 4pm

Saturday, 13 September

Beeleigh Water and Steam Flour Mill, CM9 6LL 11am-4pm contains a unique Elephant Boiler, Wentworth Beam Engine and Victorian Milling Hurst.

Maeldune Heritage Centre, CM9 4PZ 11am-4pm. There will be a fun treasure hunt around town as you explore Maldon's Architecture through its stories. Complete the quiz - then return to the Maeldune Heritage Centre for a prize.

Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour CM9 5HN: Hoist a Sail - young person activity on the quayside from 11am. Three talks at Maldon Little Ship Club at 11am, 12.30pm and 3pm - hidden histories of the heritage harbour including the role of the RNLI. 

Maldon Museum in the Park, CM9 5HX 1pm-4pm is planning displays based around the history of the museum building; displaying architectural plans and photos to show the change from house to museum, including how the entrance to the Prom looked before the building was there. 

Maldon Society's oral history recordings and photographic archives with an architecture theme at the listening station and viewed on the touch screen at Maeldune Heritage Centre, CM9 4PZ 11:00-4pm 

Moot Hall, CM9 5PF 10am-4pm Visitors will be able to discover a medieval brick tower with rare brick newel staircase. a court room, council chamber, prison yard and 360 degree panoramic views over River Blackwater from the roof. Stewards will be on every floor to explain the features & history of the building. There will be an exhibition about two local women who were pioneers in women's rights. 

Museum of Power, CM9 6QA 9:30am-4pm will be holding a temporary exhibition regarding the beautiful architectural design and structures of water pumping stations and the building/development of its own Scheduled Monument. They will also be hosting a book launch for Murray Fisher, the Essex sci-fi author's first book called: Underlings: The Spark Engine. Railway running on Saturday and Sunday and 'Marshall' triple expansion steam engine running on compressed air on Sunday only. 

St Giles Leper Hospital Ruins (scheduled ancient monument) CM9 6EA 10am-2pm

St Mary's Church, CM9 5JB Refreshments from 1pm to 3pm

Cllr John Driver, Maldon Town Mayor, said: "I am delighted to see Maldon once again participating in Heritage Open Days.

"Our town's rich history and vibrant community spirit are essential parts of our identity, and this festival provides a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore and appreciate our heritage. On behalf of Maldon Town Council, I would like to give thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers involved in the events.

"I encourage everyone to take advantage of these free events and discover the hidden gems of Maldon."

To find out more details about these events and activities, visit the Heritage Open Days website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Alternatively, call Maldon Town Council on 01621 857373.