HISTORIC buildings across Craven are preparing to open their doors as part of an annual heritage celebration.

Churches, community premises and museums are among those taking part in the Heritage Open Days initiative.

Throughout the country, thousands of free events will happen over four days – from Thursday, September 7.

Bell-ringing will feature at St Andrew's Church, Kildwick the Lang Kirk of Craven.

A talk will be given about the art and the bells themselves and there will be tours of the tower.

The event takes place between noon and 4pm on September 9 and 10.

People can join Natural England and Ingleborough Archaeology Group to discover some of the many hidden archaeological and historical treasures on Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. There will be a choice of two guided walks on Sunday, September 10.

Giggleswick School Chapel will be thrown open on Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, September 10 from 1pm to 4.30pm. Chance to enjoy one of the free music recitals taking place over the weekend, performed by teachers and pupils of Giggleswick School.

With its impressive copper dome and stunning interior, it is an imposing landmark that dominates the surrounding countryside. The Chapel was the gift to Giggleswick School of Walter Morrison of Malham, built in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is a rare example of a building in which every detail, including building, decoration and furniture, has been designed and completed in perfect sympathy under the direction of the same hand, T.G Jackson, a leading architect of the time

Discover the secrets of Settle's most interesting building The Folly in Victoria Street and find out why it is called the Folly.

Learn about the heritage and history of Settle and surrounding area, visit the garden, join a tour of the exterior of the building and hear all about its architecture on Sunday September 10 from 1.30pm to 4.30, tours at 2.30pm and 3.30pm

Christ Church in Cross Street, Skipton, which was built in 1837 and had an award-winning refit in 2009 is open on Friday, September 8 from 10.30pm to 4pm. Guided tours at 11am and 2pm. It is hoped to include the crypt, not usually open to the public.

An exhibition of photographs of Skipton "Then and Now" will take place at The Gallery, Mill Bridge, Skipton, itself a 17th century building. They were taken by Charles and David Watkinson from 1950 to 1980 and are side by side with photographs of the same sites as they are now, taken by members of Skipton Civic Society.

Opening times are Friday September 8, 11am-5pm and Saturday September 9 11am - 5pm.

Find out about Skipton's Old Grammar School which dates from the 1500s in a 90 minute guided walk to The Wilderness, once its garden. Meet at Craven Court in High Street, Skipton, on Sunday September 10 at 2.30pm.

There is also in Skipton a guided walk entitles Water Mills & Woods from Coach Street Open Space, Coach Street. Walkers will be shown around part of the watery network of leats, ponds, weirs and canals that served several of Skipton's mills, with associated green spaces. It takes place on Saturday 9 September: 11am-12.30am

Visit St Wilfrid Parish Church, in Burnsall on Saturday, September 9, from 10am to 4pm or Sunday, September 10, between 11am and 4pm,

Its history goes back to its foundation by St Wilfrid of Ripon before 700AD. The current Lady Chapel in the South Chantry was built in the 12th century and there is a 14th-century carved alabaster panel depicting the Adoration of the Magi.

Bancroft Mill Engine Museum on Gillians Lane, Barnoldswick, is offering the chance to experience the power and might of Lancashire's largest surviving cotton mill steam engine. Tours will given to view the site and hidden underground machinery, and there will be a chance to view the unique Smith Bros. & Eastwood mill engine recovered from nearby Bradley, near Skipton, saved from the scrap-man by a local enthusiast. It will be open between 11am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, with with steaming from 1pm and 4pm.

For more details, visit heritageopendays.org.uk.