Have you ever wondered about the secret history of the towering church down your street, or the picturesque park you walk through every day?

From today until Sunday, Heritage Open Days - England's biggest heritage festival - is giving residents and visitors an inside look into the architecture, culture and history of Norfolk.

With 220 events, there's no shortage of places to explore.

This year The Forum in Norwich, along with community partners and volunteers, has organised Heritage Open Days (HODs) across Norwich and many towns in Norfolk.

Cathy Eden, HODs Coordinator at The Forum, Norwich said: 'Heritage Open Days is a once-a-year chance to have a sneaky peek behind the doors of Norfolk's often hidden heritage gems.

'We're very lucky to have so many local treasures on our doorstep and this weekend is all about celebrating that. It's an opportunity to see new places, try out new experiences and enjoy activities that bring our local history and culture to life – and it's all free!'

The Forum also offers some tips to best enjoy the weekend of events:

•Despite the fact that ticketed events fill up fairly quickly, don't despair. There are still dozens of drop-in HODs to attend.

•Take advantage of volunteers that may be milling around on site - they have knowledge and enthusiasm to share.

•Lastly, be aware of heritage 'hot spots' or events clustered in one area.

HODs this weekend span North Norfolk, Norwich, Breckland, Thetford, Broadland, Great Yarmouth and South Norfolk.

For more information, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk. For local inquiries, contact hods@theforumnorwich.co.uk