The Heritage Open Days festival is back, giving you the chance to explore the region's history and heritage for free.

For the first time in the festival's history, some venues are taking a digital approach by placing activities and virtual tours online as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but some in-person tours will also be taking place

Annie Reilly, head of producing for the festival, said: "Heritage Open Days (HOD) is about connecting people so we can share in the amazing stories of the places, spaces, nature, heritage and history around us.

"We have seen some ingenious approaches to culture going digital, from virtual tours and online galleries to up-close explorations of artefacts and objects, through to workshops and live-streamed debates.

"We're excited by the potential for HODs, not least of all because so many more people will be able to experience the festival regardless of where they are in the country."

Here are some of the events taking place in Herefordshire between September 11 and 20.

Cloisters tour at Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral, 5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG

Saturday, September 12 from 10am to 3pm

This cloisters tour, run as part of the Eastern Cloisters Project, is the final of its kind.

The cathedral said it will be people's last chance to hear stories on the cloisters and vicars choral.

Those who've done the tour before will know the cloisters were home to the cathedral's mischievous vicars choral for more than 400 years, but research has recently unearthed more fascinating tales.

This ranges from stories of unusual pets to first wives, tales of compassion and campaigning, records of court cases and evading the law.

Booking is essential and can be done online here.

There will also be an online version, details of which will be published by the cathedral tomorrow (Saturday).

Photography pilgrimage at Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral, 5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG

Saturday, September 12 from 10am to 3pm

The new photography pilgrimage, launched as part of the Eastern Cloisters Project, gives visitors an opportunity to use photography as a means of reflection.

A pilgrimage is a journey, and an opportunity to reflect, on yourself and your surroundings. Visitors will be given a series of prompts to consider, and time in the cloisters to respond to them by taking photographs.

All visitors need to bring is a digital camera of some kind – but for this trail, a smart phone is as good as a DSLR, the cathedral said.

This trail isn't about being the best or most experienced photographer; it is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and consider the environment around you.

All visitors will be given an opportunity to print their favourite photograph at the end of the trail, as a souvenir of the pilgrimage.

Booking is essential and can be done online here. Again, there will be an online version. Details will be published by the cathedral tomorrow (Saturday)

The cathedral will have a small number of digital cameras available for people to borrow, but visitors who wish to do so must tell them in advance.

Poetry trail at Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral, 5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG

Saturday, September 12 from 10am to 3pm

A new poetry trail, launched as part of the Eastern Cloisters Project, is inspired by poetry written in or about the cloisters of Hereford Cathedral over many centuries.

Using extracts from existing poems as a starting point, as you wander through the cloisters, visitors will write their own pieces of poetry.

While some poets have been inspired by the beauty of the settings, others have focused on the characters found living there, so feel free to go in any direction – from satire to lyric.

All visitors will be given their own writing materials, so you can take your poetry home.

Bookings can be made here.

Alternatively, try the at-home version, which will be shared on cathedral social media channels on the day.

Apples for Health

Grange Court, Pinsley Road, Leominster HR6 8NL

Monday, September 14 to Saturday, September 19 from 10am until 2pm

During the week, apples will be picked from the community heritage orchard. See @GrangeCourtLeo on Twitter for timings.

Then on Saturday, the apples will be juiced and tasted and their healthiness celebrated.

Apples for Health recognises that Grange Court lived through the great plague and celebrates the contribution that apples made to health and wellbeing.

Juicing on Saturday will be with apples which will have been hand picked from the nearby Millennium Green Orchard which is a community orchard of heritage varieties.

In addition, other apple products will be available e.g. cider, apple cider vinegar and apple butter to taste and buy.

St Michael's Church, Michaelchurch

St Michael's Church, Michaelchurch, Ross-on-Wye HR2 8LD

Everyday between 10am and 4pm

The church is thought to be nearly 1,000 years old and a free guidebook can be downloaded here.

Said to have been founded by Bishop Herwald of Llandaff in 1056, this lovely church hugs the side of a remote valley.

A Roman altar is built into a blocked doorway and 13th century wall paintings decorate the walls in the form of masonry lines, borders with chevron design and consecration crosses.

Superimposed on these on the north and south walls are black letter inscriptions from the 16th and 17th centuries.

No booking required.

Other nearby events

Florence Nightingale 200th Birthday Walk, Malvern

September 12 at 10.30am and 7pm and September 13 at 10.30am and 6pm

To celebrate the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, the Malvern Hills District Council is hosting this free commemorative walk.

You will embark on a guided walking tour around Great Malvern, visiting locations know for using the Water Cure treatment.

You will learn more about where Florence stayed and more about the illnesses that kept her bedridden .

Booking for this event closes on 11 September, so make sure to book online if you wish to attend.