THE largest festival of history and culture is coming up with thousands of venues taking part.

Heritage Open Days takes place later this month and there is plenty to get involved in around Essex.

With 125 events in the county, there are lots of options to visit to celebrate local history, architecture and culture for free.

The open days are being held from Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 18.

Here’s some of the events that you can look forward to near you.

Maldon

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

All Aboard the Steam Tug Brent

Where: Cooks Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

When: Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 from 11am to 2pm

Learn about the history behind the last surviving steam vessel of the Port of London Authority’s fleet.

There will be short talks and tours of the historic vessel.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/all-aboard-the-steam-tug-brent1.

Beeleigh Water and Steam Mill

Where: Abbey Turning, off Old London Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

When: Saturday, September 10, Sunday, September 11 and Sunday, September 18 from 11am to 4pm.

Organised by Beeleigh Mill Restoration Group, there will be guided tours of the mill.

It was once one of the largest flour mills in Essex and has a large history including when it was abandoned in 1875 after being destroyed by a fire.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/beeleigh-water-and-steam-mill.

Maeldune Heritage Centre

Where: St Peter's Tower, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

When: Everyday from Friday, September 9 to Saturday, September 17 from 11am until 4pm, except Monday, September 12.

There will be art exhibitions, historical displays, Anglo Saxon and Viking re-enactment and more.

The centre is the home of the Maldon Embroidery which took three years to complete to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Maldon in 991.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/maeldune-heritage-centre.

Braintree

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Braintree Museum

Where: Braintree District Museum, Manor Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3HW

When: Saturday, September 10 and Saturday, September 17 from 10am to 4pm.

The history of Braintree and the surrounding areas will be celebrated at the museum.

There are multiple exhibits showing artefacts discovered in the area.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/https-www.braintreemuseum.co.uk.

St. Marys Church

Where: St. Marys Church, Church Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 5JY

When: Saturday, September 17 from 11am to 3pm

There will be talks on the history of the church as well as activities for the children and refreshments.

The church has a history of more than 1000 years.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/st.-marys-church-braintree.

Warner Textile Archive Store Visit

Where: Warner Textile Archive, Silks Way, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3GB

When: Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 17 at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm

The textile archive is the largest publicly owned collection from a luxury textile manufacturer in the UK.

There will be a guided tour and exclusive access to the collection store, which isn’t usually open to the public.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/warner-textile-archive-store-visit.

Witham

Silver End Garden Village Walk

Where: Silver End Village Hall, Broadway, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ

When: Sunday, September 11 at 11am

There will be a guided walk around the Silver End Garden Village to learn about the history of the area.

A member of the Silver End Heritage Society will reveal all about many historical developments in the area.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/silver-end-garden-village-walk.

Silver End Heritage Centre

Where: Silver End Village Hall, Broadway, Silver End, Witham, Essex, CM8 3RQ

When: Sunday, September 11 from 10am to 4pm

The centre is in the largest village hall in the UK and has a collection of unique artefacts.

The village was built from 1926 and the open day will show what life was like for people living and working at the time.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/silver-end-heritage-centre.

St Peter’s, Wickham Bishops

Where: St Peter's Old Church, Church Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, Essex, CM8 3LA

When: Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11 from 11am to 4pm

Visitors will be able to see inside the 12th century church and enjoy demonstrations of wall painting and fresco techniques with Andrew Fawcett.

The building is used as a studio after Benjamin Finn approached the Friends of Friendless Churches society with the idea in 1994.

Benjamin will be at the open day.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/st-peters-old-church.

Halstead

Maldon and Burnham Standard:

Colne Valley Postal History Museum

Where: 109 Head Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2AZ

When: Sunday, September 11 from 10am to 4pm

One man has built up the private collection of 165 ex-British post office and overseas postal Administration letter boxes together with 25 Stamp Vending Machines, documents, bicycles, uniforms and associated artefacts.

It is also home to the National AA Village Signs collection, with 60 signs from across the UK.

A vintage mailvan is expected to be in attendance and kids can get involved by trying on uniforms, working the machines and posting letters.

For more information, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/colne-valley-postal-history-museum2.

For the full list of events, go to https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting.