Discover Watford’s rich heritage with a series of special free events and openings taking place across the town this week.

Heritage Open Days is a festival that celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are either normally closed to the public or charge for admission. And Watford is delighted to be taking part.

“Watford has a wonderful and rich heritage which we should all be very proud of,” says Dorothy Thornhill, Elected Mayor of Watford. “The Open Day weekend gives us open access to many of the buildings and structures that have so much local historical significance, which becomes increasingly important to us as our town changes and grows.”

There are too many events taking place to include here, so here are just some of the highlights:

The Great War: Watford 1914: A Heritage Lottery-funded project exploring the impact of the war in Watford (Watford Museum, ongoing).

Papermouth Presents Rootsfest: A night of folk music, folk art and spoken word from around the world (Watford Museum, September 13).

Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church: Explore this Grade I-listed church and keep your eyes open for the stunning stained-glass windows, wall paintings and sculptures (September 12 and 13).

Fashion and Textile Design Fair: Explore the exciting world of fashion in the historic Old Free School on George Street, now home to Amanartis art studios. Enjoy the work of talented designers and stop in the pop-up cafe for a nice cuppa (Old Free School, September 13).

A Talk on Mary Bromet: An exploration of the life and work of this local artist, as well as a visit to the Bromet Peace Memorial Sculpture (Watford Central Library, September 12).

Peace Hospice Heritage Tea Room: Wander around what was originally the Peace Memorial Hospital, built by public subscription to mark the First World War and opened by Princess Mary in 1925. It became a Peace Hospice in 1992 after a South West Herts Hospice appeal and enthusiastic backing from the Watford Observer (September 13).

Henry Smith House: Wrap your eyes around the original architectural features and stories of Henry Smith House, the first purpose-built police station in mid- to late-Victorian Watford (September 13).

Little Cassiobury Art Sale: Join the Friends of Little Cassiobury for this car park art sale. Take home an original piece of art and the proceeds will go towards the upkeep of this beautiful Grade II* listed building, which was built in the 17th Century as the dower house of the Earl of Essex’s Cassiobury House Estate (September 13).

Tour of St Mary’s Church Tombs: An exploration of the recently renovated tombs and learn about the almshouses built in the 1850s (September 13).