This year, Thanet's Heritage Open Days offer more than 27 venues and activities to enjoy across Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate and villages. These include venues that are not generally open to the public.

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture and a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences - all of which are free. The festival will run from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September.

This year's theme is 'Architecture - from buildings and bridges to beehives, exploring how we've designed and built the world around us.'  In Thanet, the Festival includes:

• A guided tour of the Grade II Listed Adult Education Centre building in Margate: Built in 1931 in an austere Art Deco style and opened as Thanet School of Art. The building retains many original features including wooden panelling, Art Deco radiators and an open string Imperial staircase with iron balusters.
• Isle of Thanet: Architecture Through the Decades: a small photography exhibition at Droit House, Margate featuring a series of archival photographs from the Sunbeam Collection. Sunbeam was the dominant commercial photographic company which 'worked' the Isle of Thanet coast. The exhibition will include some of the Isle's most iconic architecture, including buildings still standing and those that have been lost.
• Grade II Pierremont Hall, Broadstairs: The Chamber Hall and Music Room will be open for visitors to explore. The Hall was designed by Samuel Pepys Cockerell and built in 1785 as a private residence for Thomas Forsyth. The Duchess of Kent and a young Princess Victoria holidayed at Pierremont from 1826 to 1836. A leaflet on the history of the Hall will be available for visitors.
• 154 High Street, Ramsgate: an important Georgian townhouse with an Edwardian extension and large gardens. Visitors can explore the restored main house with a beautiful staircase, panelling and recently uncovered fireplaces. There is a secret staircase behind a wardrobe, which has traces of 1820s Regency wallpaper. The huge basement contains evidence of reinforcement, as it was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
• Historic Trail of Properties, Station Road, Birchington: Birchington is a village that has been in existence since the early 13th century. To celebrate the 130th anniversary of Station Road being formally recognised as a named highway, a historic trail of properties will be available. The trail includes properties in Station Road, Station Approach and The Square. QR codes will link to information on each property's history and any architecturally significant features.

Also on offer is a Historical Talk and Tour of the Walpole Bay Hotel, Museum and Napery in Margate; a Dickens Guided Town Trail Walk around Broadstairs; a Sonic Trail: Acoustic Architecture, and the opportunity to view properties that were once home to retired sea captains in the 18th century at Paradise, in Ramsgate. Free entry into much-loved favourites include Drapers Windmill, Dickens House Museum, Pugin's The Grange and The Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens.

Further information on Thanet's venues and activities for Heritage Open Days can be found on www.visitthanet.co.uk/heritageopendays. Some venues and activities need to be prebooked.

Details on England's Heritage Open Days and venues and activities across the country can be found on www.heritageopendays.org.uk

• Ends -

Notes to Editors

Link to images, credit listed on individual photos

Link to full list of participating venues and experiences in Thanet

About Heritage Open Days

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.

Heritage Open Days is brought to you by the National Trust with support from players of People's Postcode Lottery, and delivered locally by a large range of organisations (including civic societies, heritage organisations and local councils, community champions and thousands of enthusiastic volunteers)

Heritage Open Days is England's contribution to European Heritage Days, taking place across 50 countries. Other events in the UK are Doors Open Days in Scotland (www.doorsopendays.org.uk); Open Doors Days in Wales (https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/whats-on/open-doors); and European Heritage Open Days in Northern Ireland (www.communities-ni.gov.uk/articles/european-heritage-open-days).

For further details about the festival, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk, follow on Instagram @HeritageOpenDays, or subscribe to the newsletter.