VISITORS flocked to Swindon's historic Railway Village to explore some of the town's oldest buildings.
People could have a look around the places where thousands of employees from the town's old Great Western Railway works lived, socialised and recuperated.
The Glue Pot and The Baker's welcomed guests and held talks about the four pubs that the village originally had, the Railway Village Museum broke from its usual open-once-a-month schedule to show people around for the whole weekend, and history fans could wander around the renovated Carriage Works for self-guided tours.
The Rodbourne Community History Group gave a tour of the former GWR factory - which is now the Designer Outlet - while members of the Pattern Church showed how they had restored the old Pattern Store, and Historic England itself allowed people to delve into its enormous collection of photographs based in the old Engine House.
A heritage festival at the Central Community Centre in Emlyn Square - formerly a hopsital and emergency facility for injured railway workers - featured music, artist stalls and fascinating historical displays.
Mechanics Institution Trust community engagement officer Dan Fishlock said: "There's been a really positive response, people appreciate that this is all still here.
"We are also getting a lot of feedback on what to do with the old Carpenters Arms pub, it closed five years ago and we are investing a lot of money into it to turn into something the community can use."
Railway Village Museum curator Katie Knowles added: "This was the one weekend where people could see everything in the area seamlessly.
"We had a lot of visitors who came to Swindon specifically for this, knowing there was so much going on.
"This museum is like a time capsule, it's nostalgic, people see things they or their parents had growing up and can better understand what life was like in the Victorian period."
The National Trust organised the open days with Historic England to bring together the various groups that look after each property in the Heritage Action Zone and show how they are all connected and pnce formed part of the railway works' community.
A few more events are planned later this week, including tours of the Steam Museum and the National Trust's Heelis headquarters, as well as the Lydiard House Museum and St Mary's Church.
Visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk and search 'Swindon' for more information
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