Wakefield Council is hosting Heritage Open Days from 11 to 20 September, offering residents guided tours, talks and access to historical buildings across the area.
The Council's museums, castles and libraries will host a series of events and activities throughout the period.
What's on at the castles
Sandal Castle will offer a 500-year history tour of its grounds and ruins. Pontefract Castle is running dungeon tours for those interested in a more daring exploration.
At Pontefract Castle, storyteller Beccy Dye will run an interactive storytelling session for families, featuring stories about everyday people from Pontefract's past doing extraordinary things.
Museums and collections
Wakefield Museums and Castles Collections will open its museum store for behind-the-scenes tours led by experts. Visitors can explore objects from Wakefield's past and learn how the collections team preserves them.
The Art House will open parts of its 119-year-old building, a former Carnegie Library, to visitors over two special open days.
Libraries and digital heritage
Wakefield Libraries is launching a freely accessible digital edition of the George Fox manuscripts, which chart a handwritten and illustrated journey through Pontefract's history by a 19th century local historian.
A launch event will be held at Pontefract Library on Saturday 12 September, where visitors can view the rarely seen original manuscripts.
Other attractions
The creative team behind 'The Dispensary and Hermitage: Celebrating Pontefract's Unique Heritage' will give a talk about this digital interpretation project, demonstrating virtual reality and immersive technologies.
Wakefield Cathedral will allow visitors to climb its tower for views across Wakefield. At Waterton's Wall and Parkland, people can learn about Charles Waterton, an environmentalist, explorer and creator of the world's first nature reserve.
Castleford Civic Society's new town crier Barbara will discuss the historical role of town criers. The Elizabeth Love Museum in Pontefract will feature a new exhibition.
