Visitors can explore the ruins of Maldon's 'only ancient scheduled monument' for free this Sunday (September 11), as part of this year's Heritage Open Days.

The ruins of St Giles medieval leper hospital, on Spital Road, are not normally open to the public. They will be open for Heritage Open Days, England's 'largest' festival of history and culture, from 10am until 4pm.

Families will get to learn about medicine and medieval hospitals, along with hearing medieval tales from a 'master storyteller'.

"The St Giles ruins are a unique survival within Essex and are one of a small number of medieval hospitals to survive nationally."

Dr Johanna Dale, from University College London, said: "The hospital of St Giles was founded in the mid-twelfth century and was originally intended to care for people of the town suffering from leprosy.

"Around 1000 hospitals were founded during the Middle Ages, between a quarter and a third of which were originally intended for those suffering from leprosy, but very few retain upstanding remains.

"The St Giles ruins are a unique survival within Essex and are one of a small number of medieval hospitals to survive nationally."

The chapel is what largely remains of St Giles, but the foundations of the other buildings still lie underground in the surrounding area. (Photo: Karen Hughes)

Researchers from University College London have collaborated with Maldon Town Council and community group Maldon in Bloom to install four raised medicinal herb beds at the site, 'reactivating' its medical heritage and improving it as a community space.

Maldon District Councillor Flo Shaughnessy, part of the Maldon in Bloom team, says the beds have been filled and are ready for planting.

Cllr Shaughnessy told Nub News: "The beds will be planted with medicinal and culinary herbs that would have been used when the leper colony was on the site.

"We aim to show what life would have been like for this leper community and to bust myths about what people believe about this illness!"

St Giles is believed to have been built on the site of a former Roman villa, with far reaching views down the Blackwater Estuary. High above the floodplain, the hospital was close to several spring-fed ponds, which would have served the needs of its patients along with passing travellers.

Dr Dale continued: "We hope you will be able to visit to see the fruits of this work and tell us how you think the site could be better used in the future."

The ruins are set in a 'substantial' green space, and adults, children and dogs are all welcome to enjoy it. An activity colouring sheet will be available for children. Story sessions for all ages will run at 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.45pm and 3pm.

For more information, visit the Heritage Open Days website.