CHANCES to see the stories behind some of Cheshire's historic buildings and hidden gems will take place this month (September).

Heritage Open Days are to take place nationally across two weekends for the first time since it started 24 years ago.

The open days celebrate architecture and heritage, revealing the stories about buildings, the people who have lived, used or worked in them.

There are more than 80 Heritage Open Days buildings and events to discover for free across west Cheshire, many of which are not normally open to the public.

This year, the theme is Extraordinary Women, with special events in Frodsham, Winsford, and Northwich.

There is the opportunity to explore and discover the whole west Cheshire area with Chester buildings open between September 6-9 and Ellesmere Port and Mid Cheshire buildings opening between September 13-16.

Chester Civic Trust and Cheshire West and Chester Council have organised the programme in association with other local societies.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Cabinet Member Communities and Wellbeing, said: “Heritage Open Days wouldn’t be possible without the help of the many building owners and local volunteers. The programme gets bigger every year and this year is no exception being spread over two weekends.

“As with previous years some of the tours get booked very quickly but there is a lot to choose from and most of the buildings don’t require booking. This is a Europe-wide celebration of buildings and a chance to discover some of our hidden gems.”

The full programme brochure is available online at historyandheritage.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk. Printed brochures are available at visitor information centres, libraries and museums and many local community centres. The brochure explains when prior booking is essential.

Some of the highlights include:

  • Booth Mansion, 30 Watergate Street - an early Georgian mansion concealing two 13th century town houses with elegant reception rooms and magnificent ballroom above row level.

  • Watergate House, 85 Watergate Street - a fine Grade II*-listed building, designed as a town house by Thomas Harrison for Thomas Potts, Clerk of the Peace, in 1820 and now used as professional offices (open Saturday, September 8 only).

  • Behind the scenes tour of Storyhouse - the 1936 Grade II art deco Odeon cinema closed in 2007 and was converted into a theatre, cinema, library, and restaurant complex. Storyhouse has won many architectural prizes including Best Refurbishment at the National Building Awards 2017. Booking essential, telephone 01244 972088 (September 6-7).

  • Parkgate Heritage Trail guided walk - follows a route recalling Parkgate’s past as a port for travellers to Ireland, a sea-side resort and a fishing village. Booking essential, telephone 01244 972088 (September 8-9, 3pm to 4.30pm).

  • Gloverstone area walking tour - exploring the former landscape of the old castle outer bailey. Booking essential, telephone 01244 972088 (Thursday, September 6, 10.30am, Friday, September 7, 10.30am and 6pm, Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9, 2.30pm).

  • Poulton research project - multi period site that has produced 10,000 years of finds, notably a large Iron Age settlement, Roman period landscape and medieval chapel foundations. Booking essential, telephone 01244 972088 (Saturday, September 15, 1.45pm-3.30pm and Sunday, September 16, 1pm-3pm).

  • National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port - originally the largest inland dock system in the UK, transferring raw materials to Birmingham and Manchester; and finished products around the world. Tours available, enquire at the museum when you visit (Thursday to Sunday, September 13-16, 10am - 5pm).