England’s largest festival of history and culture returns next month, as dozens of venues and events across the district offer free entry for 10 days. Heritage Open Days will feature a wide-ranging mix of tours, talks, walks, exhibitions, music and buildings, some not normally open to the public, mostly with experts on hand. The National Trust, which organises the event, bills it as a “chance for all of us to see hidden places and try out new experiences – all for free”. The festival will see some attractions, such as Nidderdale Museum, waive their usual entry fee, and others, including Harrogate Theatre, Ripon Town Hall and Pateley Bridge Playhouse, offer rare glimpses behind the scenes.