THE garden that inspired literature by Beatrix Potter and a village once at the centre of the Welsh Renaissance are set to be explored during a heritage weekend this autumn.

Now a well-established event in the calendar, Denbigh Open Doors will return on September 27-29 with interesting and unseen properties, tours, exhibitions and talks that engage communities with their past.

Visitors will have the opportunity to look inside buildings including Dolbelydr, the gentry house in Trefnant where the first Welsh grammar book was written; Bryn y Parc, the townhouse with a magnificent courtyard and timber framing dated to 1580; and guided walks around Myddelton College, Love Lane and Vale Street.

There will of course be visits to Denbigh Castle including discussion of its Burgess Gate, Countess Tower and Goblin Tower, as well as the Gwaenynog Hall Gardens, owned by the relatives of Beatrix Potter which influenced her Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.

The heritage event is staged by the Denbigh Open Doors Group, supported by Denbigh Town Council, Grŵp Cynefin and Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. It forms part of the European Heritage Days which takes place in 50 countries annually.

Highlights in Denbigh this year also include tours of medieval Denbigh, a geology tour and a lecture titled ‘The Welsh Renaissance Powerhouse: Dyffryn Clwyd c 1500-1650’ by Shaun Evans, from the University of Bangor’s Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates.

New features in Denbigh this year include Pendref Chapel, which has received significant investment of late, and the Woodlands Skills Centre in Bodfari.

For more information about event and opening times visit the Denbigh Open Doors website or call Denbigh Library on 01745 816313. Tours and talks are limited availability and require pre-booking at the library.