Roundup of Heritage Open Days events across Maldon district

Each September thousands of volunteers across the country invite residents to experience local history, architecture and culture - all for free.

This year's events are taking place from September 10-19.

Attractions across the district are hosting open days for England's largest heritage festival.

Here's what's on:

The Maeldune Heritage Centre

Maldon's heritage centre is hosting events from today up to Saturday, September 18.

And its revealed a series of exciting free entertainment for residents to enjoy weekend.

This weekend it will be open from 10am to 4pm, celebrating the theme 'Edible England'.

Inside the centre visitors will enjoy talks on the Maldon Embroidery, history displays and Maldon Society's video and 'oral listening' archives, and the craft shop will open as usual.

Outside the centre will be an Anglo Saxon and Viking re-enactment group from 10am to 3pm, and salt, water, and beer shanty singers will wow spectators at 3.45pm.

For directions and more information visit www.maelduneheritagecentre.org.

Museum of Power

Langford's popular Museum of Power will be open next weekend free of charge with engines running, a book sale and some charity and craft stalls. 

Children can enjoy arts and crafts activities. 

On Sunday, the tea room and model village will be open.

Events will run on September 18-19 from 10am to 4pm.

No booking is required.

Visit www.museumofpower.org.uk for more details.

All Aboard the Steam Tug Brent

Visit Brent, the last surviving steam vessel of the Port of London Authority's fleet and discover her history.

The vessel is berthed at 12 The Hythe in Maldon.

As an important historic vessel, the trust wishes to restore her so she can be enjoyed by present and future generations. 

There will be short talks and tours of the engine room throughout this weekend on 1pm to 4.30pm on Saturday and 11.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

There will also be a '50 years of Maldon' display on the shore.

No booking is required. Visit www.steamtugbrent.org for more details.

Combined Military Services Museum

For the very first time, Maldon's well-loved military museum is taking part in Heritage Open Days.

It holds a collection of military uniforms, weapons, espionage and special operations equipment.

It opens this weekend from 10am to 4pm each day, and closes at 5pm.

Pre-booking is required with groups up to six at 15-minute intervals.

To book call 01621 841826 or email admin@cmsm.co.uk.

For more information on its extensive collections go to cmsm.co.uk/visit.

Museum in the Park, Maldon

On the edge of Promenade Park, in Mill Road, is Maldon Museum which focuses on the district's domestic and social history, the people, businesses and way of life over the last 200 years.

It will be open today from 1pm to 4pm.

Its highlights include a unique Merryweather Manual Machine used by Maldon Fire Brigade from 1877, an 00' gauge scale model of Maldon East railway station and a display "Pots, Bones and Stones".

There is also the temporary exhibition Maldon Now and Then to enjoy, with pictures and photographs from archives and images by contemporary artists and photographers.

Visitors can also enjoy a talk on boat building - once the main industry of the town.

The museum is also open next weekend from 1pm to 4pm.

Thomas Plume Library

Visitors will be welcomed into the popular library tomorrow from 10am to 4pm to see the historic interior and Thomas Plume's collection of paintings.

There will be an exhibition of books from the 16th and 17th centuries for this year's theme.

The Friends of the Library will host stalls outside, including a book stall.

St Peter's Churchyard will be free to explore.

The Plume Building is at the junction of Market Hill and the High Street.

Booking is preferred. To book call the librarian at  01621 854850 or email info@thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk.

St Mary's Church, Maldon

Guides will be on hand at this historic church next weekend (September 18-19) to show you around.

Its known as the Fisherman's Church as its tower serves as a mariner's beacon for boats coming up the River Blackwater.

Activities for children will include a quiz and colouring.

And there will be a short recital on the new pipe organ.

Refreshments also available in the Octagon room.

The Church dates back to 1130 but there is archaeological evidence dating back to Roman times.

On Saturday its open from 10am to 4pm, and 12pm to 5pm on Sunday.

No booking is required.

St Giles Ruins

St Giles Ruins can be found opposite St Giles Crescent, in Spital Road, Maldon.

Its open day tomorrow from 10am to 4pm offers the opportunity to explore the ruins of the medieval leper hospital of St Giles.

Learn about medicine and medieval hospitals through a pop-up exhibition designed by researchers from University College London.

Children and dogs are all welcome to enjoy - an activity colouring sheet is available for children.

Go to the website for more information.

Leech Memorial Garden

Enjoy a guided tour of Leech Memorial Garden on Sunday and hear about its place in Maldon's history.

The garden in Dykes Chase is maintained by the Friends of the Leech Memorial Garden.

The 20-minute tours will be running at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm.

The site is sadly unsuitable for wheelchairs due to its uneven surface.

Friary Walled Garden

This historic garden hidden in Maldon's town centre is looked after by volunteers.

The Maldon & Heybridge Horticultural Society cares for the Secret Garden of Maldon which is situated in Whitehorse Lane, behind Iceland, next to the library.

It will be open on Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

Find out more about its history here.

St Mary’s, Mundon

St Mary's is an Anglican church and a designated Grade I listed building.

The oldest fabric in this church dates from the 14th century.

When the Friends of Friendless Churches took the building into care in 1975 it was in a sorry state and much work has been carried out to ensure its survival.

Its recently completed another round of repairs.

The historic church is hosting open days from 9am to 5pm from September 10-19. 

No booking is required, you can just turn up.

Beeleigh Water and Steam Mill

Beeleigh Water and Steam Flour Mill at Abbey Turning contains a unique Elephant Boiler, Wentworth Beam Engine and Victorian Milling Hurst.

Members of the Beeleigh Mill Restoration Group, currently undertaking restoration work to the engine, will be providing guided tours of the Steam Mill explaining the history of the Mill and its machinery.

Its open this weekend from 11am to 4pm on both days, as well as next Sunday (September 19).

Visit the website for access information.

Maldon Quaker Meeting House

The Quaker meeting house in Butt Lane opened in 1821 and is celebrating its bicentenary this year.

Visitors will enjoy a Quakers Then and Now exhibition and members of the meeting will be happy to show you around.

Its open this weekend from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 12pm to 4pm on Sunday.

There is also a unique opportunity coming up to visit a previously unknown medieval building at Southminster Hall.

Read more: Burnham archaeological group discover previously unknown medieval building