National Trust properties in the Lake District will be hosting a range of free events to celebrate Heritage Open Days, England's largest festival of history and culture.

The theme of this year's festival is 'Creativity Unwrapped', with National Trust places showcasing the creativity of Cumbria through guided walks, demonstrations, and access to normally closed areas.

One of the highlights of the festival will be the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Townend Farmhouse being opened by the National Trust.

Located in Troutbeck, visitors can participate in guided tours of the seventeenth-century farmhouse, which has been home to the Browne family for 400 years.

Visitors are encouraged to dress in 1940s fashion for a chance to win a prize.

The farmhouse will feature contemporary food, the sounds of the 1940s, and fascinating Cumbria Archives documents about life in Cumbria during that period.

Allan Bank will be hosting a free weekend of creative activities on September 16-17.

The villa's history and surroundings will serve as inspiration for visitors.

Just outside Penrith, Acorn Bank Watermill Trust will offer an exclusive tour of the working Grade II* listed watermill, followed by exploration of the nearby woodlands and formal gardens.

Visitors to Cockermouth can also enjoy free access to Wordsworth House and Garden, where they will be the first to view a new video on the house's history and past occupants.

Heritage Open Days also provide an opportunity to go behind the scenes of several National Trust properties.

Cartmel Priory Gatehouse will open its doors on September 13 and 16, giving a glimpse into Cumbria's medieval history.

St Margaret of Antioch Church at Wray Castle, where founding member of the National Trust, Hardwicke Rawnsley, was once a vicar, will also be open to the public from September 11-17.

Another unique opportunity is the chance to explore the processing mill at Force Crag Mine, which holds the most complete collection of metal ore mining machinery preserved in-situ in England.

For those interested in guided walks, there are several options to choose from.

A walk along the Whitehaven Coast will reveal the area's industrial past, while guided walks at Sizergh will delve into the history of the Sedgwick gunpowder works.

A tour of the natural flood management site at Dunthwaite, led by Riverlands Project Manager Rebecca, will showcase the innovative methods used to protect against flooding.

In Borrowdale, guided walks will highlight creative plans to protect the red squirrel population.

For a truly unique experience, visitors can take a tour on the Steam Yacht Gondola.

The Gondola has been sailing on Coniston Water since the 1860s and offers a chance to learn about its design, explore its machinery spaces and opulent saloons, and witness a demonstration of its manoeuvrability on the water.

Jez Westgarth, Assistant Director of Operations for the Lake District said: "This year, we are thrilled to open our doors to so many of our places and to welcome the local community as part of Heritage Open Days. All of the festival’s events are free and we invite people to discover some of the less well-known places that we care for. We’re very excited to be sharing the stories of these places."

The events will run on various dates between September 8-17.