Opening door to district's past

People who want to find out more about how our ancestors left their mark on the district can tour numerous structures normally closed to the public, from the 14th Century Abbey Gateway to a Victorian signalbox.

The event, which lasts from Thursday to Sunday, includes a number of themed-based guided walks, for example the Woodland Trust's one-and-a-half hour route looking at trees planted to commemorate special people and events, from the Romans to recent city mayors.

A full listing of events and opening hours is given here: 1. Abbey Gateway, St Albans School, Abbey Gateway, St Albans Conducted tours by St Albans School pupils of the 14th Century Abbey Gateway, one of the few intact mediaeval gateways in England and the only remaining building of the original Abbey of St Albans. Built in 1365, it has served as a jail until 1868, and part of St Albans School since 1811. Sunday: 10am to 2.30pm.

2. Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban, Sumpter Yard, St Albans Best known for the shrine of St Albans - Britain's first Christian Martyr - which continues to attract pilgrims from far and wide. Learn some of the stories, discover some of its hidden secrets.

Saturday: 10.30am to 3.30pm: Cathedral Guides available for information and tours.

10.30am to 2.30pm: Tower Tours: Number limited, first come, first served.

11am, 2pm, 3pm: Stone Store Tours: see carvings from the medieval Abbey buildings.

10.30am to 3pm: Exhibition of embroidery and textiles in use today.

Noon: Tour looking at the Abbey's painted and carved woodwork.

4pm: Evensong, a service of music sung by the Cathedral Choir, readings and prayer.

Sunday: 9.30am: Parish Eucharist, including special provision for children.

11.15am: Choral Eucharist, with the Cathedral Choir.

2pm to 5pm: Cathedral Guides available for information and Tower Tours, number limited, first come, first served.

2pm: Stone Store Tours: see carvings from the medieval Abbey buildings.

2.30pm to 4.30pm: Tower Tours: explore the 11th Century Norman tower 2.30pm onwards: Teas served by a voluntary group.

6.30pm: Evensong with the Cathedral Choir.

3. Clock Tower, Market Place, St Albans Built between 1403 and 1412, the Clock Tower is the only medieval town belfry in England, and has its original bell. The tower is 19.6 metres high and has 94 steps to the top via a narrow spiral staircase giving fine views of the cathedral, Roman Verulamium and the city. Saturday: 10.30am to 5pm, Sunday: 10.30am to 5pm.

4. Dalton House, Catherine Street, St Albans Dalton House is a Georgian residence that was built circa 1719 by Francis Dalton, a county magistrate. The house has been called Dalton House, Folly House, The Daltons, Daltons Folly and most recently, Bleak House, as it is believed to be the house that provided Dickens with the inspiration for his famous novel. Friday: 10am to 6pm.

5. Edwardian outing to Childwick Green Tourist Information Centre, Market Place, St Albans Join the Mayor on a Sunday afternoon outing on foot or by bicycle to the hamlet of Childwick Green. Visit the delightful Church of St Mary, sip tea and enjoy an entertainment in the Victorian schoolroom with Sir John Blundell Maple. Sunday: 2pm.

6. High Street Methodist Church, High Street, Harpenden This traditional style gothic Methodist church was opened in 1930. The attractive Weldon quarry stone is complemented by Luton facing bricks. The choir stalls, communion rail, pulpit and reading desk are oak, and the pews are chestnut. Thursday: 10am to noon, Friday: 10am to 4pm, Saturday: 10am to 12.30pm.

7. Kingsbury Barns, Kingsbury Manor, St Michaels Street, St Albans Built over a Roman villa, this barn was built for the abbey in 1374. Listed Grade II*. Saturday: 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm, Sunday: 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm.

8. Kingsbury Watermill Museum, St Michael's Street, St Albans 17th Century working watermill museum with displays of old machinery and tools. Adjoining café/restaurant. Thursday: 10am to 6pm, Friday: 11am to 6pm, Saturday: 11am to 6pm, Sunday: 11am to 6pm.

9. Museum of St Albans, Hatfield Road, St Albans The story of historic St Albans from the Romans to the present day is told through lively displays using the museum's collections. The museum has a wildlife garden and a special exhibition. Also on Saturday, "Meet the Tudors". Drop in between 10.30am to 4.30pm and meet two Tudor merchants. Find out about their work and examine their maps and navigational instruments, see their beautiful costumes. You can also meet Jane Shearman, a Tudor housewife. Thursday: 10am to 5pm, Friday: 10am to 5pm, Saturday: 10am to 5pm (Event 10.30am to 4.30pm), Sunday: 2pm to 5pm.

10. Redbournbury Mill, Redbourn Road, St Albans Fully restored 18th Century working watermill on the River Ver just north of St Albans. The watermill produces and sells stoneground organic flour. The river and surrounding countryside are a haven for wildlife. Sunday: 2pm to 5.30pm.

11. Roman mosaic (Hypocaust building), Verulamium Park, St Albans The Roman Mosaic is part of a suite of rooms in a large town house built about AD200. Beneath a fine mosaic, a precursor of modern central heating can be seen.Thursday: 10am to 4.30pm, Friday: 10am to 4.30pm, Saturday: 10am to 4.30pm, Sunday: 2pm to 4.30pm.

12. Rothamsted Manor, West Common, Harpenden Rothamsted Manor dates from 13th Century but its present appearance dates from 17th Century. Guided tour of the ground floor and gardens of the manor. Saturday: 10am to 4pm.

13. Ryder Building, Comfort Hotel, Holywell Hill, St Albans Now housing the Comfort Hotel, this was originally built as the headquarter offices of the Ryder Seed Company. Samuel Ryder is now best known for starting the Ryder Cup golf match, now played between America and Europe. Thursday: 10am to 10pm, Friday: 10am to 10pm,Saturday: 10am to 10pm, Sunday: 10am to 10pm.

14. Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence, near Welwyn An Edwardian Arts and Crafts-influenced house, lived in by George Bernard Shaw, the playwright, from 1906 until his death in 1950. Three acre garden with outstanding views, and containing Shaw's writing hut. Friday: Garden noon to 4.30pm, house 1pm to 4.30pm; Saturday: Garden noon to 4.30pm, house 1pm to 4.30pm.

15. Sopwell Nunnery, off Cottonmill Lane, St Albans Visit the ruins of Sir Richard Lee's Tudor great house, built c1555 on the site of a 12th Century nunnery bought from Henry VIII. Thursday to Sunday: Open access.

16. St Albans Market and Farmers' Market, St Peter's Street, St Albans Saturday: The famous St Albans market, the largest street market in the South East (excluding London). Sunday: As always on the second Sunday in the month it is the St Albans Farmers' Market. Saturday: 9am to 4.30pm, Sunday: 9am to 2pm.

17. St Albans Signal Box Preservation Trust Grade II listed Midland Railway partially restored signal box built in 1892. Steam rides being demonstrated. Saturday: 10am to 4pm, Sunday: 10am to 4pm.

18. St Leonard's Church, Sandridge, 225 Sandpit Lane, St Albans 12th Century place of worship. Saturday: 10am to 6pm.

19. The Independent Chapel, Spicer Street, St Albans Although built in 1811, the chapel owes much to the 18th century in its style. The nonconformist, grade II listed chapel retains many of the original features. It is famously associated with the poet William Copwer and Samuel Ryder, of Ryder Cup fame. Saturday: noon to 5pm, Sunday: 2pm to 5pm.

20. A lecture at the Independent Chapel Lecture: History of Independency. A brief history of Independents, also known as Congregationalists, from the 17th century to the present day. Saturday: 4pm, Sunday: 4pm.

21. The Parish Church of St Michael, St Michael's Street, St Albans Founded 948 - example of a late Saxon church. Contains the monument of 17th statesman, Sir Francis Bacon. Also contains remains of medieval painting of the Last Judgement. Saturday: 2.30pm to 5pm, Sunday: 2.30pm to 5pm.

22. The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, Bluehouse Hill, St Albans Built in c40AD, the Roman theatre is unique in Britain, being a theatre with a stage, rather than an amphitheatre and is the only fully excavated example of its kind in Britain. Saturday: 10am to 5pm, Sunday: 10am to 5pm.

23. Verulamium Museum and Legion XIIII, St Michael's, St Albans Meet the Roman soldiers of Legion XIIII at Verulamium Museum over the Heritage Open Days weekend as they describe tactics and equipment of the Roman army. Thursday: 10am to 5.30pm, Friday: 10am to 5.30pm, Saturday: 10am to 5.30pm (Legion XIII - 2.30pm and 3.45pm), Sunday: 2pm to 5.30pm (Legion XIII - 3pm).

WALKS 24. Ancient Market Place Walk This delightful walk is suitable for absolutely everyone as it is in a small level area that is packed with history and interest. What more can we say? It's a little gem. Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Friday: 11am.

25. Fishpool Street to St Michael's Walk A 1,000-year-old route that follows George Street, Romeland and Fishpool Street to picturesque St Michael's Village with its elegant houses, Saxon Church and the superb Verulamium Roman Museum Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Sunday: 3pm.

26. Redbourn Walk Redbourn Common This walk which covers the beautiful village of Redbourn with its historic church of St Mary's, the old Almshouses, the lovely Common and the buildings fronting Watling Street, the old Roman Road. Meet at the car park on the common (by cricket pavillion). Saturday: 11am.

27. The Roman Theatre Walk The Roman Theatre of Verulamium, Bluehouse Hill, St Albans Take a guided tour of this Roman theatre, which is one of the finest examples in Britain. Learn about the antics of the actors, the nearby parade of shops and discover the underground shrine. (30 minutes). Meet at the Roman Theatre. Saturday: Every half-hour between 3pm and 5pm, Sunday: Every half-hour between 3pm and 5pm.

28. St Albans - Superstore Blues City Walk Take a walk with St Albans Civic Society, the resident watchdogs, round the city's very own Tesco's landbank site. See what may be on offer and what we may lose. (1.5hrs) Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Friday: 2.30pm, Sunday: noon.

29. The Heritage Tree Walk A 1.5 hour walk by the Woodland Trust looking at 2,000 years of heritage trees planted to mark special people and events; from the pine nuts offering at the Roman triangular Temple to recent mayors of the city. Meet at Verulamium Museum. Saturday: 10.30am, Sunday: 10.30am.

30. Town, Crown and Cloisters St Albans Abbey was founded by one king and destroyed by another nearly 750 years later and many monarchs have meddled in the middle! The sometimes uneasy relationship between the crown, the town and the abbey features on this special one-off free walk for Heritage Open Days and is a unique joint venture between the City and Abbey Guides to link the inside and the outside of the Abbey Church with the town. Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, Market Place.

Sunday: 2pm.

31. Verulamium in a Nutshell Walk This is the one and only weekend to enjoy a free walk that combines the Roman Theatre with Verulamium Park and its hidden Roman town. Free? Yes - it's Heritage Weekend. Meet at Verulamium Museum. Saturday: 3pm. Sunday: 3pm.

32. Victorian St Albans Walk A walk that takes us from the medieval to the age of steam, the railway, factories and even the pioneering days of cinema (hear about the first ever film advertisement!) This was the age of massive expansion for the town, including a new prison whose front entrance will be recognisable to all fans of Porridge. (1.5hr) Meet at the Tourist Information Centre, Market Place. Sunday: 11am.

*For more details about all the events shown please contact the St Albans Tourist and information Centre on 01727 864511.