MUSEUMS, churches, historic buildings and landscapes across the Forest are encouraging visitors to explore, as Heritage Open Days 2016 gets underway in England.

A total of 31 gems will be open between Thursday, September 8 and Sunday, September 11.

Part of a Europe-wide celebration of heritage, the long weekend is a chance to explore and find out more about the historic places, traditions and culture that make our area so special.

From the landscape of the Dymock poets and salmon fishing on the Severn to bell ringing in Coleford and exploring old roads and routes by bike, events across the Forest uncover its heritage. There’s even the chance to go behind the scenes at the museum at Dean Heritage Centre.

For full details of what’s happening, go to www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/whatson or for events beyond the Forest go to www.heritageopendays.org.uk.