Residents are being invited to explore more than 200 historic sites across Wales free of charge this month.
The annual Open Doors festival, organised by CADW gives visitors the chance to access castles, chapels, Roman forts, historic houses and Neolithic burial chambers across Wales at no cost.
Five sites in the Vale of Glamorgan are taking part in the scheme.
Penarth Masonic Hall, which was constructed in 1927, has recently undergone a sympathetic refurbishment in preparation for its centenary celebrations. The Masonic Hall will be open on Sunday, 14th September, for thirty-minute tours of the hall, which forms part of Penarth's recent heritage, and is the third such building supporting local freemasonry since 1878, containing much of the heritage since that time.
St Peter's Church in Dinas Powys will open its doors from Friday, 19th to Sunday, 21st September, between 10am and 4pm. Sitting in its own extensive grounds, the church was opened in 1930 as a Chapel of Ease and is a large late Arts and Crafts design built in a traditional way. The church will be open for family history research with a display of registers going back to 1747 and local historians available to answer questions.
Nearby St Andrew's Church in Dinas Powys will also be opening is doors from Friday, 19th to Sunday 21st, between 9am and 4pm. St Andrews is a medieval grade II listed church, with a surrounding burial ground containing a listed preaching cross and bier house, and an ancient yew. The hurch will be decorated for Harvest, with a three-churches walk being led by a local walking guide.
On Sunday, 7th September, Dyffryn Gardens is set to open its doors for the scheme. The Gardens cover more than 55 acres and represent an ambitious restoration of an Edwardian Garden. Set around an enormous great lawn surrounded by seasonal bedding, and intimate garden rooms including the Pompeian garden and the Reflecting Pool. Entry is free from 10am to 6pm.
On Sunday, 21st September, Ewenny Priory in Ewenny was funded in 1141 by Maurice de Londres as an offshoot of Gloucester's Benedictine abbey. Ewenny Priory's austere church, presbytery and transepts are the finest surviving examples of Norman Romanesque architecture in this part of Wales. Tours will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Open Doors follows what has been Wales’ sunniest spring and summer on record, with more people spending time outdoors and engaging with local heritage.
Cadw hopes the festival will inspire new audiences to connect with the stories and structures that have shaped the nation.
Discover other Open Doors Venues at www.cadw.gov.wales
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