LANDMARK buildings across Craven are taking part in national Heritage Open Days this weekend.

The annual initiative, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, offers free access to places which often aren't open to the public or normally charge.

“2014 is a landmark year for Heritage Open Days,” said patron Loyd Grossman. “Over the last two decades we’ve enabled millions of people to visit thousands of places that are normally closed to the public, helping to put local heritage at the forefront of community life throughout England.

“This summer, we’re looking forward to our most spectacular festival ever – a unique national celebration that brings our hidden history to life.”

Among those opening is the grade one listed Skipton Castle Gatehouse, which contains a fine plaster frieze with the Clifford coat of arms and motto.

It will be open on Saturday, with tours at 11am and noon.

Also, in Skipton, Waltonwrays Cemetery, on Carleton Road, will be open today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.

It was designed by Skipton architect, John Varley, who won an architectural competition, which was advertised in the Craven Herald on Saturday, October 11, 1873. Skipton Burial Board acquired the land in 1875 and the first burial took place in 1876.

There will be a laminated short history of the cemetery available with some of the notable burials highlighted on a map.

Other places open include:

Addingham: Farfield Friends Meeting House, Bolton Road, Saturday, 1pm to 4pm.

Barnoldswick: Bancroft Mill Engine Trust, Gillians Lane, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4.30pm (with the engine in steam from about 12.30pm).

Burnsall: St Wilfred’s Church, which has a Norman font and a Viking artefacts, Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 11am to 4pm.

Earby: Katherine Bruce Glasier Memorial Hostel, Birch Hall Lane, home of a founder member of the Independent Labour Party and Social Reformer, Sunday 11am to 4pm; and Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum, The Old Grammar School, School Lane, Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm.

Glusburn: Glusburn Institute, with tours of the building, live music, dance and poetry workshops, classic cars, vintage clothes and a Victorian cafe, Sunday, from 11am.

Kildwick: St Andrew's Church, with guided tours and open church tower, Sunday, noon and 4.30pm.

Giggleswick: Giggleswick School Chapel, with live music recitals, Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 1pm to 4.30pm.

Linton: Linton Falls Hydroelectric Power Station, a pioneer of the electricity generation which has been restored to its former glory, today and tomorrow, noon to 3pm.

Skipton: Christ Church, Cross Street, featuring architect’s plans and early photographs, today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm; Friends Meeting House, The Ginnel, Newmarket Street, a simple but appealing grade two listed single-storey building, tomorrow, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, 10.30 to 11.30am for worship and the building will then be open until 3pm; and Holy Trinity Church Mill Bridge, with guided tours, today and Saturday, 2pm to 3pm.

Settle: The Folly, exhibitions and family activities, Sunday, 12.30pm to 4.30pm.

For more information, visit heritageopendays.org.uk for further information.