RICHMOND’S summer Georgian festival offers a plethora of themed events including performances by the History Wardrobe, classic Jane Austen films and a rare chance to visit one of the town's most recognised buildings.

GeorgeFest16 builds on the success of last year's first such event, running for three weeks instead of two, with guided walks, talks, open-air cinema and food tastings from August 15 to September 2.

Admission to many activities is free including open days at Cullodon Tower, the folly constructed to celebrate the victory of the Duke of Cumberland’s army over Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.

It is now owned by the Landmark Trust, which lets it as a holiday residence. The open days are over the weekend of August 20 and 21, from 10am-4pm.

The History Wardrobe presents Oh My Poor Nerves, an insight into health and hypochondria in Jane Austen’s England with afternoon tea in the ballroom at the renovated King’s Head Hotel on Friday, August 19 (3pm).

Events at the Georgian Theatre Royal include A Taste of Georgian Life on August 19 and 26 with tours and opportunity to try Georgian food and dress up in period costume.

The History Wardrobe presents Portrait of a Lady on August 19 (7.30pm), looking at the creation of beauty in late 18th century portraits with anecdotes about Georgian life and costumes.

Talks include An Acting Brotherhood: Georgian Freemasons on the Northern Stage, on Friday, August 26, and Race Week in York 1765: Who Would Be A Theatre Manager? on Monday, August 29, recounting a traumatic week in the history of the Georgian Theatre Royal; both at 7.30pm.

Middleton Lodge, near Richmond, provides open air cinema showings of Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley, on Thursday, August 25, and Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, on Thursday, September 1. Screenings are at 8.30pm.

The full list of events and activities feature in a GeorgeFest16 leaflet and there is a GeorgeFest16 page on www.richmond.org.