Free entry to National Trust sites in Oxfordshire next month

Historical places owned and maintained by the National Trust, including Greys Court and Chastleton House in Oxfordshire, will be opened to the public for free for one day only. 

The scheme is England's largest festival celebrating history and culture. Heritage Open Days takes place between September 12 and 21. 

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Supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, it enables the gates of National Trust places around the country to through open their gates and offer free access on select days. 

Children playing in Pheasant Park at Basildon Park, Berkshire (Image: ©National Trust Images/John Mill) Normally, National Trust places charge and on-the-door admission fee generally between £12 and £18, or offer free admission for those with a membership which costs £96 annually for an adult (26 and over), £48 for a young person (18-25) or £12 for a child.  

In Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire there are six sites which will be open to visit.

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Greys Court, Rotherfield Greys, near Henley, Oxfordshire

Greys Court in Oxfordshire (Image: ©National Trust Images/Hugh Morhersole) Open days: Monday, September 15 - Thursday, September 18

This intimate family home and peaceful estate set in the rolling hills of the Chilterns will be free to visitors for four days next month. They'll enjoy patchwork walled gardens set amid medieval ruins, flowing dahlias and an abundant kitchen garden.

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Chastleton, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Oxfordshire

Open day: Sunday, September 21, 1pm-5pm

A rare gem of a Jacobean house, Chastleton has been home to the same family for 400 years and remained essentially unchanged for that time. The classic Cotswold stone exterior houses a time capsule within. Open for one afternoon only.

Hughenden, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Open days: Friday, September 12 - Friday, September 19

With a full week of open days on offer, plenty of visitors will get the chance to visit the home of Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden. 

Hughenden in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire (Image: ©National Trust Images/Hugh Morhersole) As well as walks around the estate, an exhibition featuring local artists' paintings, ceramics and jewellery will be on offer, and visitors will learn about the site's secret history regarding its role in the Second World War. 

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Cliveden, Cliveden Road, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire

Open days: Monday, September 15 - Friday, September 19

Gardens overlooking the River Thames through woodlands and meadows are waiting to be discovered by visitors to Cliveden, with tours of the house, sculptures and garden, pop-up history talks and heritage tree walks on offer. 

Basildon Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berkshire

Open days: Monday, September 15 - Thursday, September 18

Basildon Park (Image: ©National Trust Images/Hugh Morhersole) READ MORE: 'Picturesque' boathouse on River Thames gets listed status 

A Georgian house sitting in 400 acres of historic parkland and gardens, this site will be glorious in the September sun. 

And first-time visitors may recognise the site, as it was the set location to many films, from Pride and Prejudice to Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Stowe Gardens, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire

Open day: Monday, September 15

This huge landscape garden with various points of interest will give visitors more than just free entry on the open day - they'll also get the opportunity to visit the Gothic Temple, which is normally and exclusive holiday cottage for the Landmark Trust.