Fairground

Seasonal Activities

Picnic

Gloucestershire

Forest of Dean

This summer we are proud to guide you into the delightfully chaotic world of The Pickwick Papers, where misadventure and merriment collide in a whirlwind of Dickensian absurdity!

Join the lovable Mr. Pickwick and his eccentric band of companions as they bumble their way through confusing courtships, courtroom shenanigans, questionable duels, and carriage rides gone terribly wrong. Expect fast-paced wit, slapstick, more multi-rolling mayhem, and a cast of larger-than-life characters in this brand new and hilarious adaptation.

Dickens has never been this delightfully unpredictable! Secure your seat, pack your picnic and prepare for an uproarious adventure with the Pickwick Society—where the only certainty is a thoroughly good time to be had by all!

Doors open at 6.30pm. Bring your own seating and picnics.

BOOK TICKETS TO THE PICKWICK PAPERS

The Pickwick Papers At Goodrich Castle

Gainsborough Old Hall's medieval beginnings deserve a celebration of all things medieval. Join us at the Hall throughout May for activities and events highlighting this turbulent, transformative and fascinating period in history when the Hall was built!

For up-to-date activities and timings, please check our Facebook page.

These events are included with your admission which you can book in advance below. Members go free.

Every day - Medieval trail and activities

A family-friendly trail and activity sheets are available for free for visitors to take with them round the Hall. See if you can finish them and earn a stamp or a sticker! Collect from the visitor desk on entry.

Every Saturday, 2pm - Medieval Feasting spotlight talk

Enjoy a fascinating 15-20 minute interactive talk by Caroline, one of our knowledgeable volunteers, on feasting in the Medieval period. It was quite different from how the Hollywood films depict it - etiquette rather than raucousness ruled the day! Free with entry, suitable for all ages.

Every Sunday, 1pm - Medieval Graffiti Tours

Join one of Rick's captivating tours as he shows you the plethora of medieval graffiti on the Hall's walls. Nods to royalty, protection marks and stonemason marks abound - see if you can spot any new ones! Free with entry, suitable for all ages. Tours last about one hour.

Monday 25th May, from 10am - Medieval Music & Dance Workshop

de Mowbray's Musicke return by popular demand to deliver their brilliantly fun music and dance workshop! Learn about medieval entertaining, instruments, dance and song with Peter and Kate. Free with entry, suitable for all ages and abilities.

Dates TBC - Medieval Crafts

Come along to one of our free crafting sessions to make a medieval-inspired trinket to take home! See dates and timings on our Facebook page.

Medieval May At Gainsborough Old Hall

Visit our kitchen garden, where we have a selection of fresh produce for sale. All produce is grown by our volunteer kitchen gardeners, and proceeds support our beautiful house and gardens.

Expect to find fresh vegetables, cut flowers, and other seasonal produced.

Our Kitchen Garden is in the northeast corner of the park, by the sports block.

Card payments only.

This event is weather dependant and might be called off in short notice.

If you have any questions, please email our Senior Gardener: Harrison.Hulatt@english-heritage.org.uk

The Kitchen Garden At Marble Hill

Come to Marble Hill on every second Friday of every month, from March - December 2026 and learn about our trees and the work we've done to allow them to thrive.

Our expert volunteer guides will lead you around Marble Hill Park, showing you our magnificent and varied collection of trees.

This is a free tour and no booking is required. Please meet your guide outside the Coach House Café.

Guided Tree Tours At Marble Hill

Join us at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings as we host Spotlight Indie Live.

Spotlight Indie Live is a free to attend one-day celebration of indie fantasy, science fiction, horror and speculative fiction, art and storytelling, created for aspiring writers, fiction fans and independent creatives.

Attendees can expect a full day of panels and discussions exploring story craft and writing techniques designed to help bring fictional worlds to life. Writers will have the opportunity to gain practical advice on writing and publishing from our speakers, which include award-winning authors, publishers, editors, audio producers and bloggers.

For book lovers, Spotlight Indie Live offers the chance to discover and meet indie creators directly. The traders’ market will feature signed books, merchandise and original artwork, while facilitated Q&A sessions give audiences the opportunity to ask our speakers about their work. Plus, Spellbound Immersive Productions will bring works of fiction to life with live performances throughout the day.

Hosted by the incomparable Joel, aka the Shropshire DM, Spotlight Indie Live is the place to discover the joy of independent creativity - and your next favourite read.

FIND OUR MORE ABOUT SPOTLIGHT INDIE LIVE 

Event highlights include:

Panels and talks for writers of fantasy, science fiction, horror and speculative fiction

Practical advice on writing, indie publishing and the creative process

Insights from award-winning authors and industry professionals

Live performances by Spellbound Immersive Productions

Traders’ market featuring signed books, merchandise and artwork

Facilitated Q&A sessions with authors and creators

A friendly, inclusive space for writers, readers and indie creatives

Spotlight Indie Live At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

A top-secret message has gone missing at Pendennis Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Pendennis Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Wrest Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Walmer Castle And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Beeston Castle And Woodland Park

Join the Goodrich Castle Investigation Unit this May Half-Term and help the Baron crack a 13th-century cold case!

A dangerous myth has spread that this fortress is purely Gothic. We suspect the original Norman creators left behind secrets that only a true forensic expert can find. Grab your survey kit and prepare to scour the ruins to complete your Evidence Files.

This isn’t just a walk through history—it’s a hands-on forensic survey where you’ll need to use all your senses to find the truth.

This trail is included with your general admission. Book in advance and save 15%. Members go free.

Norman Detective Trail At Goodrich Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Framlingham Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Framlingham Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Brodsworth Hall And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Belsay Hall, Castle And Gardens

Mystery Mission At Wrest Park

A top-secret message has gone missing at Battle Abbey – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Battle Abbey

A top-secret message has gone missing at Scarborough Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Scarborough Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Carisbrooke Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Carisbrooke Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Bolsover Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Bolsover Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Kenilworth Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Dover Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Dover Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Eltham Palace and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Eltham Palace And Gardens

English Heritage

English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites - from world-famous prehistoric sites to grand medieval castles, from Roman forts on the edges of the empire to a Cold War bunker. 

Through these, we bring the story of England to life for over 10 million people each year. 

The Pickwick Papers At Goodrich Castle

English Heritage

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