Budding archaeologists are being encouraged to celebrate our rich history in a variety of hands-on experiences around North Yorkshire.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) has organised for several centres to celebrate the 21st Festival of British Archaeology this summer, with scores of exhibitions volunteering to take part.

Holgate Windmill is one of the participating venues and will hold an open weekend on July 21 and 22 offering visitors a unique view of the mill’s inventions.

Jenny Hartland, Holgate Windmill Preservation Society chair, said: “We are hoping to point out that archaeology is not just being on your knees and scraping away it can be up in the air as well.”

The CBA Festival of British Archaeology is celebrated by several national heritage and conservation bodies as well as the hundreds of societies, community archaeology groups, museums and universities.

Clifford’s Tower in York, managed by English Heritage, will also be taking part with their ‘The Time Travellers’ event.

A spokesman said: “Throughout the summer at Clifford’s Tower, children can dress up as medieval nobles in splendid costumes and discover all about the Royal medieval world. There’ll even be a coronation ceremony to take part in.”

Last year saw around 250,000 people across the country participate in events and organisers expect it to be equally as popular this year.

Dr Mike Heyworth, CBA director, said: “This is the perfect opportunity for everyone to delve deeper into the past and to learn why archaeology is relevant to today’s world. We hope that by taking part people will be encouraged to explore the past further, whether by visiting museums, joining a local archaeology group or by reading more about their favourite period.”

Sat 14 – Sun 29 July 10-4pm Lost Light Regained, Holy Trinity Church, York

Sat 14 July 10am The All Saints Medieval Church and its World Famous Stained Glass, All Saints North Street, York

Sat 14 July 10.30-12pm and 2pm – 3.30pm Outside the west door of York Minster

Tues 17 July 1pm-3.30pm Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York

Sat 21 July 10am -4pm Life in the Mesolithic, The King’s Manor, York

Sat 21 & Sun 22 July 11am – 5pm Clifford’s Tower, York

Sat 21 July – Mon 27 August (weekends only) Warrior Weekends Scarborough Castle, Scarborough

Sat 21 & Sun 22 July 11am-4pm The Evolution of a Windmill, Holdate Windmill, Windmill Rise, York

Sat 21 – Sun 22 July 10am -5pm Exploring the Iron Age, Kings Arms, North Duffield

Sat 21 July 10am - 5pm Hungate Open Day,Hungate, York

Sat 28 & Sun 29 July 10am -5pm Yorkshire’s Greatest Living History Festival, Sledmere House, Driffield

Sun 29 July 10am - 4pm Have a Go Archery, The Moors National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Danby, Whitby

Sun 29 July 11am 4pm Moorland Festival, The Moors National Park Centre, Lodge Lane, Danby, Whitby