THE city's 'hidden treasures' – including the iconic Radcliffe Observatory and more than 100 other buildings – will open up to the public next week.

The Oxford Open Doors festival, organised by Oxford Preservation Trust and Oxford University, returns next Thursday, with the majority of venues being unlocked at the weekend.

Some of Oxford's newest and oldest buildings will open their doors to the public for the first time.

The Radcliffe Observatory in Woodstock Road will undoubtedly be a highlight but the new d'Overbroeck's sixth form centre in Banbury Road, which includes a restored 1823 villa and former Masonic lodge, will also be available to explore.

The new Exeter College Cohen Quad building in Walton Street will also open for the first time.

The trust's director, Debbie Dance, said: "We are so lucky to live in such a great city and the Oxford Preservation Trust team loves bringing the programme together for everyone to enjoy.

"It's been made possible by working our partners in the university and with the support of so many Oxford people and places.

"There will be lots of new places to find and lots to see and do."

The Taylor Institution Library in St Giles', home to vast collections of European literature, will also be unlocked for the first time for the public to explore.

A stalwart of the Open Doors weekend, the rest of the Bodleian Libraries will not disappoint this year with a special photographic exhibition at the Weston Library in Broad Street.

The Old Bodleian Library will also be putting on a 'Revealing Hidden Oxford' display and, on Sunday only, there will be an entire day of activities and performances dedicated to Jane Austen.

A number of college libraries are also included in this year's event and the public will get a second chance to roam the Blatvatnik School of Government building in Walton Street.

Mrs Dance said: "The colleges are always popular and this year Trinity, Magdalen and University colleges have added their libraries into the mix and the university's magnificent Taylor Institution Library is open for the first time.

"People can also find out what's hidden beneath A Plan Insurance in High Street and take look at the incredible surviving wall paintings at 126 High Street."

Other highlights include the Old Radcliffe Infirmary hospital building, Osney Mill and Oxford University Press.

Oxford University vice-chancellor, Professor Louise Richardson, said: "The university is full of wonderful places and Oxford Open Doors is our opportunity to share some of our hidden treasures more widely.

"We look forward to welcoming a record number of people to explore our wonderful buildings, gardens and collections."

There will also be the chance to visit the Harcourt Arboretum in Nuneham Courtenay and walk the famous Carfax Conduit, which once stood in Carfax but now resides in Nuneham Park.

The first venues will open on Thursday, September 7, with more on Friday but the majority will be unlocked over September 9 and 10.

For more information and for individual venue listings and timings go to oxfordpreservation.org.uk