Fancy a snoop around the former home of the War Cabinet, or perhaps a peak at the on-screen abode of a TV sleuth?

What about a nose around a secretive masonic centre?

Everyone loves a good poke around someone else's home and English Heritage is offering the chance to explore some of the fascinating buildings of Sussex for free during a series of Heritage Open Days.

Among the venues opening their doors to the public is Shipley Windmill, near Horsham.

The largest working windmill in Sussex, it was built in 1879.

For 50 years it was owned by writer Hilaire Belloc but is now best-known as the home of magician and mystery-solver Jonathan Creek in the BBC series starring Alan Davies.

Thousands of people are expected to visit the windmill and more than 20 other historic buildings throughout Sussex between Friday, September 12, and Monday, September 15.

Danny, the mansion at Hurstpierpoint where Lloyd George lived for several months in 1918, will also be open during the event.

Tim Burgess, who with his wife Jenny runs Danny, is pleased people are being encouraged to visit Britain's places of interest.

He said: "The site is in the Domesday Book as land granted to Pierpoint who came over with William the Conqueror.

"Danny is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon word meaning heavenly haven.

"It was the home of the War Cabinet in 1918 and Lloyd George and Winston Churchill met at the great oak table, which is still here, to draft the amnesty ending the First World War.

"We usually open on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons during the summer but have agreed to open on the Sunday for free."

Other unusual destinations include the Masonic Centre in Brighton, a cast-iron swing bridge at Chichester canal basin and Sackville College in East Grinstead, which used to be the home of J M Neale, who wrote Good King Wenceslas.

The Churches Conservation Trust is hosting quiz trails around the county over the weekend and several town walks have also been planned.

A Roman discovery day will be held in Chichester on Saturday, September 13, marking the 1,960th anniversary of the invasion of Britain. Visitors will be able join a legion of Roman soldiers, handle genuine Roman artefacts and make their own shield.

Bill Startin, English Heritage's South-East regional director, said: "Heritage Open Days provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich history of the South-East."

Martin Bacon, chief executive of the Civic Trust, said: "Hundreds of thousands of people will be out and about over the weekend.

"It is an excellent way for people to learn something new about their heritage and culture."