ATTRACTIONS across the district are getting ready to welcome visitors during this year’s Heritage Open Days festival.

The nationwide event, founded by the European Union and run in partnership with the National Trust and People’s Postcode Lottery, is now into its 24th year.

It will run from Thursday, September 6, until Sunday, September 16.

Events are taking place at museums and attractions across the district, with some offering exclusive access to rarely-seen exhibits and popular attractions.

At Bradford Cathedral, visitors will be able to explore the clock tower.

There will be tours up the bell tower to see the famous bells, tours of the building, an exhibition on the bells, art exhibitions and interactive activities for all ages.

It will be open to the public on Saturday, September 8, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

At Bradford Peace Museum, a new temporary exhibition will open on September 6, focusing on prison life in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The Cell Block Travelling Exhibition, by Richmond Castle, explores the cells lived in by prisoners, and people can come face-to-face with the graffiti made by inmates – including criminals and Conscientious Objectors from the First World War – in their cells.

The exhibition is open throughout the Heritage Open Days festival and will remain at the museum in Piece Hall Yard until October 26. The museum’s other galleries will be open along with free children’s activities.

At Undercliffe Cemetery, QR codes have been fitted at its six Grade II-listed monuments to give an interactive experience around the site.

People can learn about the industrialist and entrepreneurs immortalised at the cemetery an discover the stories and secrets of their lives.

There will be a free history tour at 11am on Friday, September 14, and tours will run throughout the day on Saturday 15.

In Ilkley, the Manor House in Castle Yard will open its 14th-century doors to the public. It was opened as a community asset by patron Alan Titchmarsh in April following a three-year rescue campaign. A range of activities will be running at the medieval manor on Saturday, September 8, from 2pm to 4pm, with a tour of the house at 1.30pm.

Whitechapel Church in Cleckheaton will be open on both weekends of the festival for visitors. People will be able to view the church’s Norman font, have a go on its restored Ellacombe system of bells, and view three First World War graves and stained glass window memorials. The grave of Rose Ann Heslip, a niece of Patrick Bronte, is also situated at the church.

At Ingrow Station, on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, visitors will be able see the engine shed and the Carriages Trust museums, and visit the learning coach.

For full details of events, visit heritageopendays.org.uk