THREE museums dedicated to the social history of North Yorkshire will be opening their doors for free this weekend as part of the nationwide Heritage Open Days event.

Ripon’s Workhouse, Courthouse and Prison and Police museums, which are within walking distance of each other, and will be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday.

Visitors to the Workhouse Museum, in Allhallowgate, will be able to hear stories of those in poverty, explore the vagrant night cells or try their hands at laundry, rag rugging and various chores, while at the Courthouse Museum, near the cathedral, the holding cell is being opened especially for the day.

At the Prison and Police Museum, in St Marygate, visitors will be invited to get face to face with gruesome historic punishments, meet the convict in the cell complete with ball and chain, have a go at fingerprinting or try some of the gruelling jobs that Victorian prisoners faced.

Ripon Museums Trust, which relies on volunteers to help maintain the museum buildings, create displays and welcome visitors, said the open day would also offer an opportunity for potential volunteers to discuss possible roles, ahead of the Workhouse Museum’s planned expansion.

For details, visit riponmuseums.co.uk