Now in its fourth year, Oxford Open Doors is the annual event when town and gown join together to invite local people to celebrate everything that makes the city special — it is your chance to discover the hidden gems of Oxford’s heritage and curious corners of the city, the old and the new, its towers and tunnels . . .

This year’s Oxford Open Doors programme is the biggest, brightest and most varied yet, with something for everyone and everything for free. There are talks, guided walks, vintage bus rides and boat trips, and even the chance to learn to punt!

The programme includes 150 places to visit, plus special events and activities. Highlights include a chance to see one of the earliest printing presses and the archives of Oxford University Press, tours of the city’s old power station on the banks of the River Thames, or a chance to visit the Radcliffe Infirmary and to learn more of the university’s plans for the site, on display in the chapel. Thames Valley Police will be staging a Gaol House Rocks day at the old Oxford prison with a mobile police station and search and rescue truck, alongside tours of the glamorous Malmaison Hotel and a free after-hours party at Oxford Castle Unlocked with a chance to explore the prison wing and underground crypt to the sounds of a rock ’n’ roll band.

Tours of Oxford United Football Club’s Kassam Stadium are likely to prove popular with a chance to get behind-the-scenes in the dressing rooms — and the annual open day at Helen and Douglas House is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the extraordinary contribution this organisation is making to Oxford and its people. And that is before we begin to celebrate the world-famous Oxford University and its historic colleges. Take in the ancient stones of Christ Church, Exeter, Keble, Magdalen, Merton, New College, Pembroke and St John’s, add the new with Wolfson and St Catherine's and prepare to be amazed at all there is to offer.

And do not forget to stop by at All Souls and enter through the Hawksmoor Gates into the Great Quad where the Chalgrove Big Band will be there to entertain you. Oxford may be famous for its iconic university buildings — but its scientists are also of world renown. As the Royal Society celebrates its 300th anniversary Oxford Open Doors will explore the society’s early roots in Oxford, through Wadham College and Sir Christopher Wren.

Visit the School of Pathology where scientists developed penicillin or go to Somerville for the centenary of Dorothy Hodgkin, student and research fellow, tutor to Margaret Thatcher and the only British woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Science. It is unquestionable that there are some outstanding things on offer over the Oxford Open Doors weekend, but perhaps equally outstanding is the small, but perfectly formed organisation behind it all — the Oxford Preservation Trust. Thet rust is a completely independent charity, similar to the National Trust, with more than 800 acres of land and historic buildings to its name. The land it holds helps to keep the city’s character and many much-loved landmark places such as South Parks, Shotover Country Park and the Victoria Arms at Old Marston all have connections to the trust, not to mention the famous view of the ‘dreaming spires’ which can still be enjoyed from Boars Hill thanks to the trust’s intervention to stop development more than 80 years ago.

Yet perhaps the most remarkable thing is the organisation’s forward-thinking attitude. The Oxford Preservation Trust is very much an organisation of the 21st century — as demonstrated by recent projects such as the regeneration of Oxford Castle where the trust runs the Oxford Castle Unlocked visitor attraction.

Then there is the more recent restoration of the Victoria Fountain at the Plain in St Clements and the ongoing project to restore traditional railings in North Oxford. Education and outreach are at the heart of the trust’s work and Oxford Open Doors is just one way the trust helps people of all ages to discover something about their past. Debbie Dance, director of the Oxford Preservation Trust for the past ten years said: “We were aware of the national event Heritage Open Days, which was happening in other parts of the country, but which never seemed to get going in Oxford.

“In our view, Oxford has more to offer than anywhere else that we can think of.

“We were also being constantly told of the division between town and gown. We did not recognise this division and, having been around a fair few years in the city with contacts in a wide variety of places, we wanted everyone to see the positive side of the city that we know and love. And we have done it. Debbie added: “Oxford is a great place and this event is about places, but it is also a place with great people and people are what has made this happen. We have so much to celebrate in Oxford, and are so grateful to all those who have helped us to bring this programme together. “Our partnership with the University has been invaluable and their commitment to the project unwaivering, and we are delighted that the new vice-chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, is going to launch Oxford Open Doors at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

“We have great partners from all parts of the city and this simply leaps out from the pages of the Oxford Open Doors catalogue — it is quite amazing even for those of us so close to the organisation of the event to see what Oxford has achieved here.” Dr Julie Maxton, registrar at Oxford University, said: “Oxford Open Doors is now the third largest Heritage Open Days event in the country.

“I am pleased that so many university-owned facilities, museums and collections, as well as a number of the Oxford colleges will again be opening their doors to the local community.”

Debbie Dance added: “We live in a great city and we need you to come and share in the weekend and make Oxford Open Doors the best yet. “The extraordinary generosity, goodwill and support that we have from our many partners is fantastic — so, whatever else you do this summer, make sure that you are back in Oxford on September 11-12.”

For more information pick up an Oxford Open Doors brochure, available at libraries and distribution points across the city and county, visit the website: www.oxfordopendoors.org.uk

The university welcomes visitors at most times of the year. For information on places to visit and things to do and see visit www.ox.ac.uk/visitors

Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest and most popular cultural event run nationally by English Heritage and celebrating England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to interesting properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Visit the website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk