England’s largest festival of history and culture is returning this September, bringing with it a host of free events to the Isle of Wight.

Heritage Open Days, brought to you by the National Trust and supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, are run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers.

They offer everyone access to experiences and events across England, this year honouring the English inventions and innovations we can’t live without.

Each year, locations across the country throw open their doors and give people the chance to see hidden places and try new experiences at no cost.

Many events will adopt this year’s theme – Astounding Inventions – offering a celebration of the cutting-edge creations that make our lives easier as well as the imaginative inventors behind them.

Alongside stories of wonders, the festival will highlight some of the blunders, fads and outright failures that pepper England’s rich history of innovation.

Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager, Liam Montgomery, said: “We’re thrilled to be focusing in on inventions for this year’s festival, as they offer such an exciting lens for examining heritage.

“From the humble chocolate bar to the World Wide Web, England has an incredibly diverse history of innovation and discovery. We wanted to celebrate this by sharing stories from across the regions to really showcase the ingenuity and hard work behind them.

“Once again, we’re very excited to see what our community put together!”

Heritage Open Days events on the Isle of Wight

Bembridge Windmill

Where: High Street, Bembridge

When: Sunday, September 18, 10.30am-5pm

Built in approximately 1700, the last surviving windmill on the Isle of Wight, Bembridge Windmill was given to the National Trust in 1961 and was even featured in a watercolour by artist JMW Turner as well as serving its community.

The Old Town Hall and Stocks

Where: High Street, Brading

When: Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 18, 11 am-3 pm

The Old Town Hall and Stocks is a Grade II Listed building and dates back to the 17th century. It is the building where the members of the Corporation would sit and run the affairs of Brading.

Newport Roman Villa

Where: Cypress Road, Newport

When: Friday, September 16, 10am-2.30pm

Newport Roman Villa will be open free of charge, inviting visitors to come and discover the remains of this third century Roman farmhouse boasting 'one of the best bath suites in Southern Britain'.

Museum of Island History

Where: Guildhall, High Street, Newport

When: Sunday, September 11 and Thursday, September 15

Free entry to the museum provides an introduction to the history of the Island. A temporary exhibition explores the history of Newport with photographs, paintings and artefacts. The Sunday opening links with the Tour of Britain Cycle race visit to Newport.

St Mary’s Carisbrooke

Where: Carisbrooke High Street, Newport

When: Saturday, September 10

This 12th to 16th-century church, once part of the priory, has a small display linked to John Dennett, creator of life-saving rocket equipment and map maker.

The Lost Gardens of St John’s Park

Where: Ryde, Isle of Wight

When: Sunday, September, 18, 1.30-3 pm

A guided walk of about one and a half hours starting at Appley Park car park, passing St John’s House, originally landscaped by Humphry Repton, and St John’s Church, before exploring St John's Park, a private Victorian parkland unique on the Isle of Wight.

Heritage Open Days run from Friday, September 9 until Sunday, September 18.

For more information on these or the many other events around the country, visit the Heritage Open Days website.