Discover the unexpected - South Glos Heritage Open Days, Thu 9 to Sun 12th September

Over the next few days there's a chance to visit some places that are normally closed to the public, and to take a behind-the-scenes look at some more familiar buildings.

Local buildings open include the Moda Hotel (originally the Bank of Chipping Sodbury), Rounceval House and Tudor House in Chipping Sodbury. A special treat is the chance to look inside Chipping Sodbury Police Station (they've promised to let you out again afterwards)

In Yate you can visit St Mary's Church, and subject to weather conditions you will be able to climb the 92 ft high tower. The nearby Yate Heritage Centre will be celebrating its tenth anniversary with a special event.

Further afield, in Coalpit Heath there's Ram Hill Colliery and St Saviour's Church. Winterbourne Medieval Barn, dating from 1342, is worth a visit. On Saturday 11th only there is free admission to the National Trust's mansion, garden and deer park at Dyrham Park.

For details of opening hours and any requirements for pre-booking, and for other locations open in South Glos, you can download the Heritage Open Days leaflet here.

If you're interested in places further afield, look at the national Heritage Open Days website. For example there's Bristol Blue Glass or the Clifton Rocks Railway. There's even a local building that seems to have been left out of the South Glos leaflet - the Masonic Hall in Chipping Sodbury - look in the Events Directory section under "Bristol" (!)