THERE'S a chance to celebrate Somerset's fantastic history and culture as part of a Heritage Open Day initiative - for free.

At Somerset Brick and Tile Museum, in Bridgwater, visitors are invited to join a tour of the museum and see a tile-making demonstration on Saturday, September 9, from 10.30am to 1pm. There will be an opportunity to learn about the last traditional brick kiln in Somerset and how Bridgwater’s brick and tile making industry shaped the town.

Avalon Archaeology, at the Avalon Marshes Centre, at Westhay, is holding a special free-entry day on Monday, September 11, between 10am and 4pm, when people can explore richly decorated archaeological reconstructions of Iron Age, Roman and Saxon buildings. Hand-built by a dedicated group of volunteers using traditional techniques, Avalon Archaeology opened to the public earlier this year.

At the Somerset Heritage Centre, in Norton Fitzwarren, the South West Heritage Trust cares for millions of archive documents dating from the 11th century to present day, and more than three million museum objects. On Saturday, September 16, visitors can enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of the archive and museum strongrooms. Family activities will be available as well as demonstrations of paper conservation. You can drop in between 10am and 1pm, with the tours at 11am and 12noon.

All the events are free, but bookings will be required for the Bridgwater session via swheritage.org.uk