This coming week is a special one across North Wales (even more special than usual, we hear you cry?!). This weekend marks the start of the Open Doors Wales 2013 heritage weekend. In a nutshell, it means that special buildings and areas that aren’t usually accessible to the public throw their doors open to anyone that wants to have a good old nosy around. And as well as unusual buildings, there are also tours, exhibitions and guided days out around more well-known venues.

Open Doors Wales is part of the wider Heritage Open Days scheme, which runs events and open days across the UK, in a bid to make the nation’s heritage open to more people, and to get kids and families involved and excited about history.

In North Wales, there are loads of events going on. You can see the beautiful town of Caernarfon from a different angle with a guided walk of the medieval castle and walls, or a viewing of the stunning arch and hidden well at the Porth-yr-Aur Hostel. If eco-architecture gets your vote then how about a nosy around one of Wales’ leading eco-guesthouses, or the yet-to-be opened Henfaes Visitor Centre at Aberdaron. Our local power station at Trawsfynydd is also opening it’s doors, as is the sailors institute in Barmouth and the record office in Caernarfon.

So, why not do something different this week, and explore somewhere a little more unusual and off the beaten track.

Most events are free, but for some of them you need to book in advance. You can check details of events and how to book on the Civic Trust website – click here

Explore the castle and town walls at Caernarfon
Image by Albertistvan on Wikimedia Commons