SOME of Dudley borough’s most interesting and historical buildings will be hosting events and online tours from this weekend as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme.

Buildings across the borough that might not typically be open to the public will be showcased from Friday September 10 to Sunday September 19.

Eleven key heritage buildings in Dudley town will offer virtual tours including Priory House, the former Dudley School of Art and Free Library, Dudley Town Hall, Coroner’s Court, Old Police Buildings, Memorial Tower and the former Brooke Robinson Museum, Crown Public House, Old Police Station and three churches.

The tours can be viewed online at dudleyheritageopendays.org.uk from September 10.

Downloadable leaflets about the history of the buildings are included, which have been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Dudley Townscape Heritage Programme.

There will be events at St Edmund’s Church on Saturday September 11, from 10am to 2pm, with a display about the Growing up in Dudley project, and Top Church on Saturday September 18, from 11am to 3pm, with a ‘Brilliant Bread’ event offering children’s activities.

The former Crown public house is throwing its doors open on Saturday September 11 between 10am to 4pm, where the Dudley Society of Artists is hosting an exhibition, with input from the West Midlands Historic Building Trust.

A number of other activities and events are taking place in Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Halesowen as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme which this year has an ‘Edible England’ theme.

People can find full details online at heritageopendays.org.uk

There will be self-guided trails including an updated version of the Dudley Time Trail and Halesowen Architectural Heritage Trail. People can see more at discoverdudley.org.uk/walking-trails.

Other borough buildings opening their doors include the Thomas Robinson building in Lye, St John’s Church in Brockmoor, St Mary’s and St Michael’s churches in Brierley Hill and St Peter’s in Halesowen.

In Stourbridge, the Quaker Meeting House, The Bonded Warehouse and Stourbridge Glass Museum will also be open.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "Dudley Council is working with our partners and community groups to encourage the organisation of Heritage Open Day events in the borough.

"As well as the virtual tours of some of the borough’s most fascinating and historic buildings, we are also pleased to be able to see more in-person events being arranged this year.

"In addition, we will be celebrating some of the history behind our much-loved local businesses across social media and their links to the Edible England theme."

Heritage Open Days encourages owners of historically important buildings to open them free of charge to the public. It is supported by the National Trust and the People’s Postcode Lottery and promotes the historic environment of the borough.