History

Tour

East Sussex

Eastbourne

Step into the past and explore nearly two millennia of history at Pevensey Castle. In 1216, amidst his war with the barons, King John ordered the destruction of Pevensey Castle. But what really happened during this dramatic period? Join Dr Richard Nevell for an immersive tour around the castle ruins, where he will piece together the evidence to reconstruct the events of 1216. Discover the impact this had on Pevensey and delve into what it reveals about medieval royal power.

This tour has been grade as moderate. This is due to long periods standing and uneven surfaces across the site.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 2PM

Members' Week:

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 our team to discover more about this rare survival of an early Norman enclosure castle. Rather than having a keep or motte, like most Norman castles, Eynsford was instead protected by an extensive curtain wall. Today, parts of the wall survive to their impressive full height alongside the remains of the hall building, where the inhabitants would have lived. Learn about why the castle was built, whose lands it was protecting and what was discovered during excavations of the site.

The access grade for this tour is moderate. It involves walking over uneven terrain with few places to stop and rest. We'll be outside for the tour, so please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather.

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Join us for a tour that will look at the enormous importance of the Rule of St Benedict to Cistercian life and practice, and how it was applied in a medieval monastery, using Byland Abbey as an example.

This event has been graded as moderate access as the ground is uneven with few places to stop and sit.

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Dust off your magnifying glasses and get ready for sleuthing! On this family friendly tour, you will learn how to find clues around Kenilworth Castle which tell us about the history and function of its historic buildings.

This tour has been designed especially for children but is engaging for all members of the family. Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone attending the tour requires a ticket.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited places to stop and rest during the walk and may include some uneven terrain and steps.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 1PM

BOOK NOW - 3PM

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

The imposing twin towers of the medieval church at Reculver dominate the skyline of Herne Bay, acting as a navigation marker for ships at sea. This was the site of one of the earliest Roman forts built against Saxon raids on the 'Saxon Shore'. It later became the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery before becoming the parish church for Reculver. The tall towers were built in a remodelling of the church in the 12th century. Much of the site has been lost to coastal erosion, but alongside the twin towers are the ruined remains of the early Roman fort. The towers are open after an extensive conservation project, meet the team to learn more of the history of the site while exploring inside the towers.

The access grade for this event is moderate, and will involve walking over uneven terrain and a few steep staircases. We'll be outside for the tour, so please wear suitable footwear and dress for the weather.

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Learn about the process of making our English Heritage branded wines and meads with expert winemakers at Lyme Bay Winery. Try a delicious range of unique and award winning wines and meads whilst exploring the Cellar Door Shop.

This tour is graded as easy access, and is restricted to adults over 18 years of age.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 1PM

BOOK NOW - 3PM

Castlerigg is among the earliest British circles, raised around 3,000 BC during the Neolithic period. It's perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles, with panoramic views and the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop.

Join Properties Historian Dr Alastair Oswald as he takes you on journey of discovery at this intriguing site.

This tour is graded as moderate access, as it covers undulating ground with limited places to sit down.

BOOK NOW – 11AM

BOOK NOW – 2PM

Where better to learn tapestry-style embroidery as demonstrated in the Bayeux Tapestry than on the site of the Battle of Hastings? Join tapestry expert Jackie Bennett at historic Battle Abbey to learn about - and try your hand at - the making of tapestries as an art form in the medieval period.

No experience is required. This workshop has been graded moderate access, as it will require going up a set of stairs and there is no lift available.

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Join our volunteer guides this Members' Week to learn all about the medieval life at Penrith Castle, exploring the stories of the people who lived in the castle and the Neville family.

This event has been graded as moderate access as the ground is uneven with few places to stop and sit.

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Ever wondered how the Romans crafted their beautiful textiles? Step back in time and learn the ancient art of tablet weaving at the historic Lullingstone Roman Villa.

This immersive day session is perfect for both experts and newcomers. You'll get hands-on experience in a technique that dates back thousands of years, all while being surrounded by the fascinating ruins of the Villa.

This event is graded as moderate access, as it involves navigating a set of stairs to access the activity room, with no lift available.

Join us for a creative event featuring make-and-take activities amidst the enchanting backdrop of Carisbrooke Castle.

Unleash your artistic flair with engaging crafts, blending the magic of castle surroundings with seasonal themes. From crafting donkey-inspired masterpieces to seasonal-themed creations, this event promises a delightful hands-on experience for all ages. Immerse yourself in the joy of crafting and take home your uniquely crafted treasures from this captivating setting.

This event is graded as easy access. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This is a drop-in session, so you can arrive any time between 11am and 3pm.

BOOK NOW

Join our expert guide for a family friendly tour around Farleigh Hungerford Castle this Members' Week. Enjoy this interactive tour packed with story-telling and props, as you learn all about the history of the Hungerford family at Farleigh and uncover their secrets!

Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Everyone attending the tour will need a ticket.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited places to stop and rest during the walk and may include some uneven terrain and steps.

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Join our volunteer guide at Scarborough Castle to look at the castle and the town of Scarborough in a wider context during the medieval period.

This event has been graded as moderate access due to uneven terrain and few places to stop and sit.

BOOK NOW

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin to see where the scientist undertook his experiments to test his theory of evolution.

In the beautiful surroundings of his country house, Down House, explore Darwin's 'Living Landscape Laboratory.' View Emma Darwin's beautiful ornamental gardens and walled garden from which came much of the produce that fed the Darwins and their staff. Hear about the many plants in the glasshouse that were used by Darwin in his botantical research into natural selection.

This tour has been graded as moderate access due to uneven surfaces through the garden and few places to sit down.

BOOK NOW

Travel back to the late 13th century and enjoy this family friendly experience as you meet the castle staff and garrison that lived and served at Chester. From kitchen staff to guards, learn how these roles made a castle run like clockwork.

This tour has been designed especially for children but is engaging for all members of the family. Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult, and everyone attending the tour requires a ticket.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited rest points in the grounds and may include some uneven terrain.

BOOK NOW – 11AM

BOOK NOW – 1PM

This event is a fantastic opportunity for all the family to learn more about Roman archaeology. Join our volunteers for a family friendly tour of the site where you will also have the opportunity to handle some objects.

Please note, all children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited places to stop and rest during the walk and may include some uneven terrain and steps.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 2PM

Join our volunteer team at the Beeston Castle Roundhouse to get hands-on with objects of the castle's past in a family-friendly handling session. You'll be able to see objects from the Neolithic and Bronze Age through to the Victorian period whilst being surrounded by the replica Bronze Age Roundhouse. Please note, children are to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

This event is graded as challenging access as the site has steeps paths and uneven terrain. To access the Roundhouse, it is necessary to walk up a hill and steep steps. Please wear suitable footwear for the terrain.

BOOK NOW – 11AM

BOOK NOW – 1PM

Join our expert guide to learn all about the third largest complex of standing stones in England. Discover all that is currently known about this impressive prehistoric site, from the folklore to the geophysical survey that transformed the view of the site.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited places to stop and rest during the walk and covers uneven terrain.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 1PM

Discover a little about Audley End during the Second World War when it was the Special Operations Executive's (SOE) ‘Special Training School 43’. Station 43 was used by the Polish army and it is an important site where we can remember the ‘Cichociemni’ – the Silent Unseen.

You will hear about the Special Operations Executive training, activities and the stories of some individuals stationed there.

This event is graded as moderate access due to navigating uneven terrain across the site.

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Join our guide for a tour around the Wall Roman Site and find out more about the lives and work of the Roman officials, soldiers and imperial messengers who might have passed through this key staging post on Watling Street, the Roman military road to north Wales.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited places to stop and rest during the walk and may include some uneven terrain and steps.

BOOK NOW - 12.30PM

BOOK NOW - 2PM

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. 

Members' Week:

English Heritage

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