For the first time, England’s biggest festival of heritage and culture will be held over two weekends - Thursday, September 6 to Sunday, September 9 and a second helping from Thursday, September 13 to Sunday, September 16. The free event, funded by the National Trust and the People’s Postcode Lottery, has the theme Extraordinary Women in celebration of the centenary of the Universal Suffrage Act. For more details go to heritageopendays.org.uk

Here's our guide to some of the places across Kent you can explore...

ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

As part of Heritage Open Days, there will be special tours from Friday, September 7 to Sunday, September 9, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre, which turns 80 next year. The full in-depth tour includes the foyer, stage and behind the scenes. To find out more, you can visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk and for more details of open days events around Tunbridge Wells, go to tunbridgewells.gov.uk

CRANBROOK UNION WINDMILL

The mill is one of England’s tallest, with seven floors of machinery, equipment and displays. The working windmill relies solely on wind to power the millstones. There will be guided tours as part of the Heritage Open Days on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9. Tours are at 2.45pm and 3.45pm, with the mill open from 2.30pm to 5pm. Nearby Cranbrook Museum is also open for the weekend.

DICKENS HOUSE MUSEUM

The Broadstairs museum, based in Aunt Betsey Trotwood’s home - the inspiration for David Copperfield - in Victoria Parade, celebrates Charles Dickens’ long association with the seaside town with tours from Thursday, September 6 to Sunday, September 16. Dickens and his son often had tea in the parlour there. Today the museum holds items including writing tools, prints, letters and items relating to Broadstairs and Victorian history. It will be open from 1pm to 4.30pm; last entry at 4pm.

DOVER MUSEUM

There will be a family day on Saturday, September 8 as part of Heritage Open Days on Saturday, September 8 between 10.30am and 3pm. There will be an ocean theme to festivities, and the chance to see a polar bear, with the Bronze Age boat. The free activities include colouring sheets, door hangers and face masks. Children need to be supervised by an adult.

EASTGATE HOUSE, ROCHESTER

The historic house in Rochester High Street now includes some rare 16th century wall paintings uncovered and preserved as part of a recent Heritage Lottery Fund project. The most recent, in an attic room, shows a battle scene and dates from around 1591. There will be free guided viewings on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 and again on Saturday, September 15, between 11am and 3pm. Visitors will need to book in advance, due to limited space, and those wanting to see the attic painting will need to wear sturdy shoes and be aware that they will need to climb some steep, uneven stairs. To book call 01634 332700.

MAIDSTONE MUSEUM

For the first time the Victorian Observatory tower will be open. Due to its many steps, it is not usually open to the public and is not accessible for those with mobility issues. Tours last 20 minutes and gives a view over Maidstone. The tower is open 10am to 3.40pm on Saturday, September 8. Book at museum.maidstone.gov.uk

UNIVERSITY OF KENT, CANTERBURY

New this year, visitors can take a look around the Sibson Building. Opened in 2017, the modern building is set in woodland on the northern edge of the campus and is in a ‘W’ shape, and has eco-friendly features, including natural ventilation, thermal mass, night time cooling and wildflower roofs.

MEDIEVAL FAIR, TONBRIDGE

The fair returns to Tonbridge Castle grounds for the weekend on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 from 10am to 5pm. There will be re-enactments, storytelling and the merry jester, Bosco. The Dragon Boat Race will be on the River Medway on the Sunday.

TONBRIDGE & MALLING

Some 27 properties will be open on both heritage weekends, in partnership with Tonbridge & Malling council, the Malling Society and Tonbridge Civic Society. There will be guided walks and tours, with highlights including the renovated Kings Hill Control Tower, right, the 700-year-old moated manor house Ightham Mote, the Tonbridge Lacemakers Open Day and the restored 13th century Gatehouse at Aylesford Priory, plus a fun heritage quiz at Leybourne Lakes Country Park. For events across the borough, visit tmbc.gov.uk/events

KNOLE PARK, SEVENOAKS

You can look around Knole’s Gatehouse Tower, showrooms and conservation studio as part of the open days. Climbing the spiral staircase to the former resident’s private rooms will give you panoramic views of the 1,000-acre parkland. Although Knole is in the midst of a building and conservation project with the Heritage Lottery Fund, you can visit the Gatehouse Tower, studio and courtyards between 10am and 5pm on Friday, September 7 and Saturday, September 8 and the showrooms between noon and 4pm.

THE WESTGATE, CANTERBURY

The medieval gatehouse guarding the entrance to Canterbury city - on its west side - England’s largest surviving example of its kind was built in 1380, to guard the road into Canterbury. Also a prison for 416 years, its cells were in its two drum towers and its battlements offer views over the city. You can visit the gatehouse in Pound Lane on Saturday, September 8 between 11am and 4pm and Saturday, September 15, also between 11am and 4pm for free. No booking is required.