Kent

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Volunteers help us look after Walmer Castle and Gardens, and bring the site to life for our visitors - and we couldn't do it without them!

Whether you're about to apply, or are interested in volunteering and want to know more about how it works, come along for a cup of coffee and chat with our Volunteer Manager.

Our current volunteers will be there to share what they do, and answer any questions you have about what it's like to be a volunteer at Walmer Castle and Gardens.

Volunteer Open Morning

Join our collections team in the Archaeological Collections Store and discover a treasure trove of unique and special objects spanning 2,000 years of England's history. These are objects not normally on display, and form around a third of our total stored collection.

This year the tours will focus on objects from Roman Wroxeter, Hill Hall and Thetford Priory.

Tours are free and can be booked when you arrive at Wrest Park.

Tours will run at 11am and 1pm on the following dates:

7 April

19 May

2 June

16 June

7 July

21 July

4 August

18 August

8 September

22 September

6 October

20 October

Archaeological Collections Store Tours

Join our Wildlife Monitoring and Surveying volunteers on a walk to discover what's blooming and buzzing.

From fluttering butterflies to curious critters, our gardens are buzzing with life—come see what you can spot! Perfect for nature lovers of all ages. 

Bring your curiosity, a camera, and comfy shoes—we’ll bring the adventure! 

Wildlife Walk

Experience the power and glamour of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in Kenwood's new exhibition; Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits will reveal the real stories behind the fascinating American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats in an exchange of money for titles. These women include a war-time nurse, a helicopter pilot and the first sitting female MP.

Sargent was one of the most sought-after artists of the Gilded Age and was ‘the artist’ to depict these intriguing women. On the centenary of his death, the exhibition sees eighteen magnificent portraits gathered together for the first time, the portraits themselves depicting some of Sargent’s most powerful and glamorous works. In addition to full-length oil paintings, masterful charcoal portraits will also feature, depicting their subjects in a candid and perceptive light.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits is curated by English Heritage with the charity drawing upon the expertise of Richard Ormond CBE. The renowned Sargent scholar and the artist’s great-nephew is the exhibition’s consultant.

Tickets go on sale soon.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits is supported by The Friends of the Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, the American Friends of English Heritage, the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, Rockefeller Capital Management, Gregory and Melissa Fleming, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, and other generous supporters.

Heiress:

English Heritage in partnership with the National Garden Scheme is delighted to be offering you the chance to experience the beautiful gardens of Kenilworth Castle in the early evening when the site is closed to the public.

Meet the Head Gardener and members of their team for a tour of the gardens. Get an insight into how the team develop and enhance these wonderful spaces, carefully managed to ensure how they are presented today reflects their rich history.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions of the team as you experience the gardens at this very special event.

Tickets available soon.

Proceeds from the event will go to fund nursing and health charities through the National Garden Scheme, which raises millions of pounds per year for organisations like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, and Hospice UK. Find out more, and discover other special garden visits near you, on the National Garden Scheme website.

Your ticket is only for entry to the event. Members get a discount on the ticket price. You’ll need to book using the link above. Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the day.

Exclusive Evening Garden Tour At Kenilworth Castle And Elizabethan Garden

Start the weekend energised with a spot of Community Yoga amongst the backdrop of Marble Hill and it's surroundings! Community based event, meet on the Oval Lawn (Behind House towards River) at 8am.

Community Yoga

Join us at Conisbrough Castle for a unique art workshop led by artist Claire Crawford. Claire will provide expert tutoring to help you draw the castle from life or something different from one of the reference images supplied. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners, and all materials will be provided. Light refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, and you can take your masterpiece away with you at the end of the workshop.

This event is graded as easy access, as it takes place in the education room, which is fully accessible.

BOOK NOW

Members' Event:

Let your imagination run wild as we construct an amazing adventure playground at Stonehenge with Woodland Tribe. Hammers, saws and nails will be handed over to the children and their adults to build the play structure of their dreams. What will you create?

Playhenge is suitable for ages 4+. Children must be accompanied by an adult (minimum of one accompanying adult per three children).

Due to the nature of the activity, this event may be noisy. Ear defenders will be available to borrow.

Please note that this experience is first come first served, and due to capacity, queues may form. Time within the experience will be restricted, but you are welcome to come back and have multiple build attempts throughout the day.

What people said last year:

“Amazing. One of the best activities our children have ever done.”

“Wonderful project. Amazing. 10/10”

“I feel happy when I come here. I get to build lots of stuff.” 

BOOK TICKETS

Playhenge

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. 

Volunteer Open Morning

English Heritage

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