THERE is a chance to peer behind the doors of some of Shropshire’s architectural gems for free over the next few days with the annual Heritage Open Days.

Around a million people nationally are expected to take advantage of the opportunity offered by Heritage Open Days, organised for the first time this year by English Heritage, which stepped in after the Civic Trust went into administration.

Shropshire highlights include Stokesay Court, the setting for the film Atonement, a walk on Long Mynd, near Church Stretton, and Wroxeter Roman City, which is hosting an exhibition commemorating 150 years of its excavation.

Heritage Open Days take place over four days from today (Thursday) with different events over different days.

Local openings include: Linley Hall, Bishop’s Castle: Guided tours of two rooms of mainly 18th century portraits today (Thursday) and tomorrow at 10am and 11am. Pre-booking is essential by emailing justin@linleyhall.co.uk.

Long Mynd, Church Stretton: A short walk along the overflow tunnel which takes you into the centre of the reservoir in New Pool Hollow which once served the hamlet of Church Stretton. Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am-4pm. Pre-booking essential on 01694 722631.

Flounders Folly, Craven Arms: Flounders Folly is a restored stone tower 80ft high on the top of Callow Hill. It was originally built in 1838. You can climb to the top and see fantastic views as far as the Malverns, the Black Mountains, Cader Idris and the Wrekin. Open Saturday and Sunday, 11am-4pm.

Stokesay Church, Craven Arms: Unusual church much rebuilt in the mid 17th century following the Civil War. Interesting wall paintings. Display of the work of the Stokesay Stitchers, designers of modern church needlework. Children’s trail in churchyard. Open Saturday and Sunday, 11am-5pm.

Stokesay Court, Craven Arms: Victorian gardens, grounds and park laid out by E H Milner in 1892, incorporating landscape features from an earlier country house. Includes fountain and a grotto, pools and cascades. Open today (Thursday) 2pm-5pm.

Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms: Grass roofed visitor centre introducing the Shropshire Hills. Triple screen film show of the hills. Life size replica of the Shropshire mammoth. There are also special activities planned for five-11-year-olds and to pre-book, call 01588 67606. Open today (Thursday), tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5.30pm. Children’s activities Saturday and Sunday, 1pm-2.30pm.

Ludlow Museum Resource Centre: A behind the scenes tour of the museum resource centre to look at the extensive collections including the remains of the Shropshire Mammoths. Tomorrow (Friday), 2pm. Pre-booking essential on 01584 813665.

Other Shropshire open days include Attingham Park, Haugh-mond Abbey, The Summerhouse and Wroxeter Roman City in Shrewsbury, The Guildhall in Newport, St James’s Church, Stirchley, Telford, and St Leonard’s Church tower in Bridgnorth.

In Worcestershire, the open days include the Masonic Rooms in Church Street, Tenbury Wells, on Saturday, from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

The event will be opened by the Mayor of Tenbury, Councillor Richard Jones and there will be free refreshments. This will be a fascinating opportunity to enter the Lodge Room of the Lodge of Saint Michael, which was founded in 1866. There will be guided tours of the building.

For more information, visit heritageopendays.org.uk.