If you are a history buff then you’re in luck. This weekend sees several of Essex’s most lavish stately homes opening up their doors to the public - including one for free.

Hylands House in Chelmsford will be open to visitors free of charge on Sunday (June 3).

The event will include free guided tours of the historic neo-classical mansion at 11am and 2pm and will also see the Friends of Hylands House putting on an exhibition display in the library. Last entry into Hylands House will be at 3pm.

Sunday will also see a Farmers’ and Craft Market, as well as artist studio openings, on the Hylands Estate for visitors to peruse.

Visit hylandsestate.co.uk for more details.

Sunday also brings the chance to explore Ingatestone Hall, a majestic 16th century manor house.

Enjoy a guided tour around the hall’s oak panelled stone hall, its tapestry- lined dining room and its kitchen with its cavernous open fireplace as well as its renowned portrait gallery.

Echo: ingatestone hall.

Entry is adults: £7, pensioners: £6 and children 5-16: £3. Visit Ingatestonehall.com

Meanwhile, if you don’t mind venturing a bit further out into the county, Audley End House near Saffron Walden will be playing host to a Victorian themed fair across the weekend.

A whole host of nostalgic events will take place over Saturday and Sunday and will include must-see circus skills on horseback live in the main arena, garden games on the lawn including quoits and croquet, a percussion based workshop with merry minstrels and the chance to meet Victorian toy-makers plus plenty more. Entry charges apply, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/audley-end-house-and-gardens.

Also just a bit further afield, Copped Hall, a mid-eighteenth century country house, near Epping will be holding a garden afternoon this Sunday where visitors can wander round at leisure and talk to the estate’s skilled gardeners.

Gates open from 2pm with last entry at 4pm. Entry is £5. coppedhalltrust.org.uk