Come and see Nottingham Cathedral during Heritage Open Days

From Friday 11 to Sunday 20 September, there are six ways to step inside, look closely at the building, and meet some of the people bringing its decoration back to life.

The Cathedral Church of St Barnabas was designed by A.W.N. Pugin, one of the great figures of the Gothic Revival and the architect behind much of the interior of the Houses of Parliament. Over the years, much of his original decoration in the chapels at the east end of the building disappeared under layers of grey paint. When expert conservators began investigating, they found Pugin's scheme still there underneath: painted stars, foliage, flowers, emblems and lettering, waiting to be uncovered and restored

Restoring those three east-end chapels is the heart of the Restoring Pugin project, supported by a £1.69 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards a £2.3 million scheme. The work is being done by hand, using traditional techniques, authentic pigments and gold leaf, returning the colour and sacred symbolism of Pugin's original design. Alongside the conservation work, the project has opened up a number of training and volunteering opportunities, and welcomed thousands of people into the building who might never otherwise have visited.

Bishop Patrick has previously spoken of his hope that the restored Cathedral will draw people of every age and background, especially local people, "to experience the Cathedral as a place of beauty, living faith, and peace in the midst of the city, and a sign of hope in these difficult times."

You may be a regular visitor, or you may never have been through the doors: either way,

this is a rare opportunity to see the restoration in progress before it's finished in the coming months, and to experience firsthand some of the craft and techniques that have brought it back to life.

Here's what's on:

• Guided tours: see Pugin's decoration up close and hear the stories behind the colour, the symbolism and the building itself. Running across the ten days at various times, including tours in Cantonese. Free.

• Family craft workshops: drop in to Cathedral Hall and make something Pugin-inspired to take home. Best for ages 7 and over, with a grown-up. Saturday 12 and Saturday 19 September, 12.30–5pm.

• Stencilling demonstration: watch the conservators recreating Pugin's patterns by hand, the painstaking work that has brought the decoration back to life. Wednesday 16 September, 11am-12 noon.

• Gilding demonstration: see real gold leaf applied the traditional way, and the skill behind Pugin's gilded decoration. Wednesday 16 September, 2–3pm.

• Pugin's vestments: a vestment, the robe worn by the priest at Mass, designed by Pugin himself and worked in silk, gold and thread, on show throughout the tours.

• The project in British Sign Language: Julia, a Restoring Pugin intern who is deaf and a BSL user, introduces the conservation work in British Sign Language. A session especially for BSL users, and all are welcome. Tuesday 15 September, 2–3pm.

Most activities are drop-in, with no booking needed. You'll find the Cathedral at North Circus Street, Nottingham NG1 5AE. Come along, bring someone with you, and see what has been happening. All are welcome.

For full details of the guided tour schedule check out the Cathedral website:  https://www.nottinghamcathedral.co.uk/what-s-on/upcoming-events/

The Restoring Pugin Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players.