History buffs can take a look behind closed doors at dozens of sites across the region this month - free of charge.

The Heritage Open Days festival returns to Sussex for just over one week this month with guided tours and open events.

This year's festival theme is Routes – Networks - Connections and venues on the bill include broadcast studios and railway stations.

Beer enthusiasts can also take a tour of Harvey's BreweryBeer enthusiasts can also take a tour of Harvey's Brewery (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

In Brighton, people can take a tour underground in the city's only open air-raid shelter, at Downs Junior School, or behind the scenes at the BBC in Queen's Road.

Architecture fans can join guided tours of Art Deco seafront landmark Embassy Court or behind the scenes at the Duke of York Cinema, the oldest purpose-built cinema still in operation in the UK.

Read more: Step back in time in tour of city’s historic buildings

Further afield, Bodiam and Lewes Castles will allow curious historians in for free on September 12 and 13 respectively.

Emma O'Connor, museums officer at Lewes Castle, said: "We warmly invite you to visit three of our wonderful heritage properties during the course of Heritage Open Days where there will be no admission charge and visitors can discover for themselves the fascinating history behind each of them."

Anne of Cleves House in Lewes and The Marlipins museum in Shoreham will also be open for the festival.

Some events require booking. All of the events mentioned above can be found on the Heritage Open Days website.