HUNDREDS of historic properties across the North will throw open their doors in the next few days as part of England's biggest free cultural event.

Heritage Open Days, a national event co-ordinated by the Civic Trust and funded by English Heritage, will see more than 3,000 buildings open between today and Sunday.

An army of volunteers will turn out to look after the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected.

Last year, visitor records at many locations were broken, with more than a million visitors taking part across the country.

Ninety per cent of the population in North Yorkshire and the North-East live within 30 minutes of a Heritage Open Day event.

But there is more to Heritage Open Days than outstanding architecture.

For instance, the adventurous, and those with a head for heights, can climb the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday.

Alternatively, they can learn more about North-East dialects and record their voices at Morden Tower, in Newcastle, on Saturday between 10.30am and 3pm or join a magical history tour of Sunderland's pubs today from 12.30pm to 5pm.

Other highlights include a "rent a peasant" event at Barnard Castle, on Saturday, from 11am to 4pm, where people can learn more about life in the medieval period and try quill writing, or hunt for ghosts at a haunted 13th Century manor house, Seaton Holme Hall, Easington Village, on Saturday and Sunday.

Among dozens of events in North Yorkshire is an open day at North Yorkshire Police headquarters, in Newby Wiske, Northallerton, from 10am on Saturday, during which visitors can visit the control room and watch displays by police teams.

English Heritage chief executive Simon Thurley said: "This year is set to be even bigger than last year, so even if you are a regular Heritage Open Days-goer, there will be something new for you to see and do.

"This is a chance to explore not just country houses, but the history and culture of everything from Buddhist temples and Masonic lodges to mines, farms, pubs and factories."

For full details of local events go to www.heritageopendays.org or call the Heritage Open Days information line on 0207-539-7907.

Teesside

Middlesbrough's only grade I-listed building, Acklam Hall, in Hall Drive, will be offering a majestic view over The Avenue of Trees.

People can also enjoy a guided tour of the restored Albert Park, celebrate Middlesbrough Theatre's 50th birthday, and see Captain Cooks' birth registration.

Booking is required for River Tees boat trips and a tour of PD Ports boardroom.

To book, or for more details, call 01642-729729.

On Saturday, Hartlepool Museums and Heritage Section have organised visits structures that were part of the Second World War defences of the area. Visitors can meet in the grounds of Sir William Gray House, in Clarence Road, from 10am to 3pm, where the local authority bunker is situated.

Loftus Town Hall will be open on Saturday and Sunday, between 10am and 4pm. There will be hourly building tours led by members of Loftus Town Council, including the council chamber, with a chance to see council memorabilia.

The public will also be able to visit part of the site of Gisborough Priory Gardens, in east Cleveland, to see its secret garden.

Usually closed to the public, it can be viewed today from 1pm to 3pm, and on Sunday, from 11am to 3pm.

Preston Hall, in Preston Park, Eaglescliffe, near Stockton will be open on Saturday and Sunday, and St John the Baptist Church, in Egglescliffe, near Stockton, will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday. A concert will be held at the church on 7.30pm that day.

Durham

On Saturday, Palace Green Library in Durham City will be open with the opportunity to see the medieval Exchequer building, as well as Bishop Cosin's 17th Century library and some of the library's illuminated manuscripts. A series of 40-minute tours will take place throughout the day and will include displays of historic documents, including the 1837 Durham University Charter. Tours will start from the front entrance of the Library, on Palace Green, at 10am, 11am, noon, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. To book, call 0191-334-2932.

Brancepeth Castle, near Durham, is the home of the Nevilles and earls of Westmoreland and will hold tours at 6.30pm today and Friday, and at 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Sunday. To book, call 0191-384 3720.

The Durham School Chapel, in Quarryheads Lane, Durham City, will open from 10am to noon on Sunday. Built in 1920, the chapel has fabulous views of the city and is a war memorial to 98 Old Dunelmians killed in the First World War.

Nearly 200 venues across Sunderland will be open, including the Sunderland Empire, Fulwell Windmill, Monkwearmouth Station Museum, Bowes Railway, Ryhope Engine Museum and the Sunderland Minster.

Washington Old Hall is offering free entry on Sunday, between 11am and 5pm. Visitors will also be able to participate in various activities looking at aspects of George Washington's life through a drama, craft and handling sessions.

NORTH Yorkshire

MORE than 60 historic properties, including castles, churches, historic sites, normally private houses and even a Victorian signal box will be open in North Yorkshire to give visitors an idea of how previous generations lived, worshipped and travelled.

One of the more unusual opportunities, organised by Whitby Civic Society, is a visit to residents still living in tightly packed cottages in the 17th and 18th century Clark's Yard, Borough Place and Blackburn's Yard between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm, on Saturday and Sunday. There will also be an opportunity to ring bells and pull levers in the signal box at Settle, on the line between Leeds and Carlisle, between 10am and 4pm until Sunday.

The box was built by the Midland Railway in 1891 and restored and opened as a visitor centre by the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Railway in 1999.

The stained glass centre at the Church of St Martin-cum-Gregory, in Micklegate, York, is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday. The ancient church will soon become a national centre for exploring and understanding the craftsmanship involved in stained glass.

There is a chance to discover some of the 800,000 relics normally kept under lock and key at the store run by English Heritage in the old station yard in Station Road, Helmsley, with tours at 1pm and 3pm on Sunday. Many of the archaelogical items come from English Heritage properties. Tours are limited to 20 visitors. To book, call 01439-770173.

The administrative centre of North Yorkshire, the 103-year-old county hall at Northallerton, is open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, when visitors can see the main civic function rooms and the architecture of the main building designed by Walter Brierley.

South-West Durham

The Streatlam Galleries will be open at the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, on Saturday. There will be demonstrations of a rare Jacquard sample loom at 11am and 1pm, reminding visitors of Barnard Castle's once thriving carpet-weaving industry

The parish hall in Bowes, near Barnard Castle, has a display of photos and information on the history of the village. This will be coupled with walking tours of places of interest in the village, including Dotheboys Hall, the church and the castle. Children are welcome to join in the events, which take place on Saturday, between 10am and 4pm.

In Weardale, Harehope Quarry, near Frosterley, will open up its eco-classroom - a timber-framed post and beam building made by volunteers. The classroom will be open on Saturday from 10am until 4pm.

The 7th Century Saxon church in Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, will be the focus of a guided walk around the village. There will also be Gregorian chants, script writing and a talk. The church will be open during daylight hours and talks will take place at 10am and 3pm. Locomotion, The National Railway Museum at Shildon, opens its Soho Shed to provide a rare opportunity to view one of Shildon's oldest industrial buildings and the vehicles inside. The shed will be open from today until Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Darlington

Darlington Civic Theatre, in Parkgate, which dates from Edwardian times and is celebrating its centenary this year, is offering guided tours. The tours take place at 10am and 2pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To book, call 01325-486555.

Darlington Railway Centre and Museum is running tours. The museum, in McNay Street, is housed in the original grade II-listed Stockton and Darlington railway station, which was built in 1842. Attractions include Stephenson's Locomotion and visitors see the progress of the museums £1.7m redevelopment project.

Tours are 10am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. To book, call 01325-460532.

The Quaker Meeting House and Burial Ground has been in Skinnergate since 1678, with the existing front built in 1839. Guided tours are available and there will be a display showing the Quakers involvement in the campaign to abolish the slave trade. Opening times are Sunday from 2pm to 4.30pm.

Visitors to St Andrew's Church, in Haughton Green, Haughton, will get a chance to see the towns oldest church. The Norman church, parts of which date from 1125, contains Saxon relics and rare Jacobean woodwork. Opening times are Thursday and Friday, 10am to 4pm; Saturday, 10am to noon and 2pm to 4pm; and Sunday, 2pm to 4pm.

Another historic Darlington church - St Cuthbert's, in Market Place - is also welcoming visitors this weekend. The grade I-listed Anglican Church has Norman foundations, a 14th Century belfry and font, as well as a 15th Century misericords - which are small shelves underneath folding seats the congregation lent on during long periods standing up. The churches stained glass windows were restored in the 19th Century. Belfry tours are available.

Opening times are Thursday and Friday 11am to noon; Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with belfry tours from 2pm to 4pm. On Sunday, there are services at 8am, 10.30am and 6.30pm. To book, call 01325-257991.

Guided tours of Darlington's Town Hall, including the council chamber and Mayor's parlour, take place on Thursday. The tour also includes viewing the Mayor's chains, civic regalia and silver collection.

The tour takes place at 10am. Booking is required on 01325-388262.