HUNDREDS OF Oxford’s best kept secrets will unlock their doors next week to reveal the city’s hidden charm.

Oxford Open Doors returns for its fourth year to merge together ‘town and gown’ and invite local people to see the city through the eyes of a tourist.

Oxford colleges, the Old County Hall, in New Road, and the Old City of Oxford power station, in Arthur Street, are just some of the hidden gems being unveiled over the weekend of September 11 and 12, free of charge.

The Jam Factory, in Park End Street, formerly Frank Cooper’s marmalade factory, and the old Radcliffe Infirmary will also open their historic halls.

And the Oxford Mail offices, in Osney Mead, is another of the 150 places which will be inviting in the public.

Visitors to the Mail offices will be able to see how our sister paper, The Oxford Times, is produced, from the laying out of articles to pages leaving the press.

The event has been organised by the Oxford Preservation Trust in partnership with Oxford University.

Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said this year’s programme was the best ever.

Ms Dance added: “We are really looking forward to local people being able to see into the places they normally don’t get to.

“There are some amazing places on show this year.

“We hear from local people who say ‘Oh, I have never been into an Oxford college, we’ve never been asked’ and this is us saying ‘come on then!’.”

Dr Julie Maxton, registrar at Oxford University, added: “I am pleased that many university owned facilities, such as our libraries, museums and collections, as well as a number of Oxford Colleges will again be opening their doors to the local community and visiting public.

“On behalf of the university, I hope everyone enjoys the Oxford Open Doors weekend.”

The festival will offer talks, guided walks, vintage bus rides and boat trips, and visitors can also learn to punt for free.

Oxford United FC will lay on a tour of the dressing rooms at their stadium and Thames Valley Police will throw off their uniforms to stage a ‘Gaol House Rocks’ day at the old Oxford prison.

Visitors will be able to explore the prison wing and underground crypt to the sounds of a rock ’n’ roll band.

Ms Dance added: “It’s really about inviting local people to experience everything in their city, free.”

To find out more visit oxfordopendoors.org.uk