Free festival of history and culture around Milton Keynes held over two weekends

Blazing Saddles by The Bicycle Ballet Company. Picture: Raysto Images

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest annual festival of history and culture with 5,000 events across the country over the weekends of September 6-9 and 13-16, with the theme of ‘Extraordinary Women’.

Blazing Saddles, by The Bicycle Ballet Company, will see an outdoor performance and bike ride by up to 20 local women, on Sunday, September 16, from 2pm at Willen Lake. Register your interest in performing at https://tinyurl.com/y93n4ewe

Stadium MK – Access All Areas includes a tour behind the scenes in the company of MK Don’s chairman Pete Winkelman and Stadium MK’s architect Mike Trice of Populous, on Thursday, September 6, at 6pm.

Medieval Fayre and Family Fun Day. Picture: Milton Keynes Discovery Centre.

Milton Keynes Theatre Backstage Tour will take place on Friday, September 14 at 9.30am.

A Medieval Fayre and Family Fun Day will be held at the City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, where dressing up is encouraged, on Sunday, September 9, 11am to 4pm.

Meet the Diggers - see how they are restoring the Buckingham Canal at Lock Lane, Cosgrove, on Sunday, September 9, 11am to noon.

All Saints’ Church, Loughton is open for tours and more on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9. There will be a flower festival and textile exhibition from local artist Julienne Hanson.

Full programme and book at www.heritageopendays.org.uk