History

Tour

Worcestershire

In partnership with the National Garden Scheme, we’re delighted to offer you the chance to explore the beautiful gardens of Witley Court in the early evening of Saturday 15 August, 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 the way they are presented today reflects their rich history. You can also ask the team your own questions about the gardens as you explore.

Evening Garden Tour At Witley Court

Join us at Down House on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June for a Bumblebee Weekend, in partnership with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

Find out about Darwin’s work on the behaviour of bumblebees and how this helped him to develop his theory of Natural Selection.

Learn about the different types of bumblebee and go on a ‘bee walk’ in the Down House gardens. Discover how bumblebees play a vital role in the pollination of plants and find out how we can make our open spaces more bumble-bee friendly.

Plus, for £2.00 per child, make your very own bumblebee!

These activities are included with your general admission to Down House.

Book early and save 15%. Members go free.

Bumblebee Weekend At Down House

Make Father's Day special this year and come along to Brodsworth Hall for a weekend of classic cars. Join fellow car enthusiasts to admire a stunning variety of vehicles, from vintage classics to modern motors from the eighties and nineties.

Car enthusiasts are invited to enjoy a celebration of classic motoring this summer, showcasing an impressive collection of vehicles spanning from the 1920s through to the 1980s and 1990s. Visitors can admire iconic models from renowned British marques including Austin Motor Company, Jaguar and Morris Motors, as well as performance cars like Lamborghinis’ and Bentleys’. 

Beyond the cars, guests can make a full day of the experience by exploring the surrounding gardens, enjoying the adventure play area, or relaxing with refreshments from the on-site tearoom.

Book early and save 15%.

Classic Cars For Father's Day At Brodsworth Hall And Gardens

Our celebrated World War Two event is back at Dover Castle for another spectacular Father’s Day weekend.

Watch action-packed scenes between the allied and German forces featuring striking pyrotechnics, see military motorcyclists perform tricks and get up close to vintage army vehicles. Get a taste of life on the Home Front with samples from cooking demonstrations as you explore the living history tents. Kids can get hands-on with activities in the field hospital, or take on the sergeant’s infamous assault course.

This event is included with your general admission to Dover Castle. Book early and save 15%. Members go free.

World War Two Weekend At Dover Castle

Join us at Pevensey Castle on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June to celebrate English Wine Week and midsummer with wine tastings in our shop.

Enjoy samples of English elderflower and strawberry wine, with our English wine available to purchase by the glass or bottle.

There is no booking required. Members get free entry, and non-members also get free entry into the shop for the tasting.

If you would like to explore the Pevensey Castle as well and are not a member, you can book in advance and save 15%, or pay for on the day of your visit.

Midsummer English Wine Tasting At Pevensey Castle

Join Blue Badge Guide Sarah Milne-Day for a tour of the famous resort town of Scarborough, this year marking its 400th anniversary of being a seaside town, a significant milestone in its history.

See the most iconic sights and hear the history of the church of Anne Bronte, Scarborough Castle and more.

This event has been graded as moderate access. There will be limited rest points on the walking tour and may include some uneven terrain. Please were sensible footwear and dress appropriately for the weather. 

Bookings for this event will open on this page on Saturday 23 May.

Members' Event:

Discover a day of shopping, creativity, and heritage at our Summer Fair on Saturday 20 June.

Explore our medieval Great Hall, where local artisans and makers will showcase their works, including jewellery, pottery, artwork and more. More stalls including Plant stalls will be found on the Turning Circle.

Plus, join us on the South Lawn, where visitors can enjoy a realxed afternoon with music, or join in with self-led childrens lawn games, or have a wander in our award wining gardens.

Garden Tours will be held throughout the day at selected times.

Summer Fair At Eltham Palace And Gardens

Join us for Waterloo Day, as we mark the anniversary of Wellington's most famous victory!

Step into history with a full day of talks and Q and As with leading historians and reenactors, bringing the drama of the Battle of Waterloo vividly to life.

Throughout the day, historians Dr Graeme Callister and Michael Rayner will guide visitors through the dramatic events of the battle in two narrated sessions, from the opening attacks to Napoleon’s final defeat. Other special talks by Dr Luke Reynolds, Michael Rayner, Dr Matthew Taylor and Dr Zack White will explore Waterloo’s lasting legacy, the terrain of the battlefield, Black British soldiers at Waterloo, military discipline in Wellington’s army, and the fate of the battle’s casualties.

Whether you are a lifelong Napoleonic enthusiast or simply curious to learn more about the battle that shaped Europe, Waterloo Day offers a unique opportunity to experience history in Wellington’s own home.

This event is included with your admission to the house. Book in advance below and save 15%. English Heritage members go free.

Waterloo Day At Apsley House

Gainsborough Old Hall invites you to produce your own zine in relation to LGBTQ+ themes for Pride Month on Saturday 20 June.

Pronounced 'zeen', this is a small pamphlet or booklet published independently. It relates to a certain topic of choice full of information and art. Once you have completed your own zine you can either take it home, or add it to our community bookshop for others to read and learn from.

The workshop is free to attend and is located in our education room. No entry ticket is required.

All materials are provided, so simply bring your creativity and imagination.

If you would like to explore the main hall, you can book advance tickets and save 15% here. Members go free

Pride Zine Making At Gainsborough Old Hall

Make Father's Day special this year and come along to Brodsworth Hall for a weekend of classic cars. Join fellow car enthusiasts to admire a stunning variety of vehicles, from vintage classics to modern motors from the eighties and nineties.

Book early and save 15%.

Treat Dad, Stepdad or Granddad this Father's Day as the Lincs and Louth Motor Club return to Gainsborough Old Hall with their wonderful collection of classic cars!

The event is included with your general admission to Gainsborough Old Hall which you can book below in advance to save 15%. Members go free.

This event is perfect for all ages. You can bing a picnic or treat yourself to lunch or cake and ice cream from the Hall cafe and make a day of it!

Fathers Day Classic Cars At Gainsborough Old Hall

Join Explorers Club for the chance to get up close and personal with code cracking in Dover Castle's wartime tunnels during our spectacular World War II Weekend.

Find out more about the work carried out inside the secret wartime tunnels at Dover Castle by breaking codes and helping to complete a secret mission. When the main event starts, you’ll get access to a special area to get the best view of the action and every member of Explorers Club will get a goodie bag to take home with them.

Explorers Club is only for English Heritage members, and it’s suitable for families with kids between the ages of 7-12. And it’s an add-on experience, so you’ll need to book tickets for the Explorers Club for each member of your family, and a separate ticket for the World War II weekend on our website or on the day.

This event is graded as challenging access due to narrow walkways and steep stairs within the tunnel, so is not suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or pushchairs.

Enjoy the fresh air, pleasant surroundings, and community spirit of Marble Hill with our weekly Community Walk. The experience is led by our volunteers and is free to attend with no pre-booking requirement.

Meet outside the Coach House Café.

Community Walk At Marble Hill

Join a community of crafters for a weekly knit and natter in the Coach House Cafe at Marble Hill.

We’re a friendly and encouraging group, who work on our own independent projects alongside each other.

Open to all adult ages and abilities.

There is no booking required. For more details please contact chloe.cooke@english-heritage.org.uk

Knitting Group At Marble Hill

Join us for an exclusive behind the scenes look at our Archaeology Collections store at Temple Cloud.

Learn more about the work our Curators and Conservators do to care for the historic properties and collections not on public display, as well as get up close with some of the more interesting objects that reside here in a hands-on session.

There will be light refreshments served as part of the tour.

This event has been graded as moderate access due to some areas of uneven ground and steps within the venue. Please be aware that the event takes place on the first floor of the building and access is via a set of interior stairs.

Bookings for this event will open on this page on Saturday 23 May.

Join us at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings for a series of talks run by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteers. These talks are free, but donation contributions to English Heritage will be welcome.

The talks will run on the last Saturday of the month at 1pm to 1.30pm in the Smithy at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.

You can drop in on the day, but places are limited so to guarantee your place please email shrewsburyflaxillmalting@english-heritage.org.uk

Talks: 

Sunday 19 April at 1pm - 1.30pm - 'William Hazledine: Groundbreaking Iron Master.' Talk presented by Mike Rochfort.

Saturday 30 May at 1pm - 1.30pm - 'Off the Shelf - Archive Talk.' Talk presented by Penny Ward.

Saturday 27 June at 1pm - 1.30pm - 'Migration of Families.' Talk presented by Penny Ward.

Saturday 25 July at 1pm - 1.30pm - 'Development of the Iron Frame.' Talk presented by Bob Saunders.

Saturday 29 August at 1pm - 1.30pm - 'The Awesome Flax plant Through History.' Talk presented by Anthony Dunford.

Spotlight Talks At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

This summer, Belsay Hall hosts a new exhibition in partnership with Northumbria University.

Make and Mend brings together around 20 artists, inviting their creative responses to Belsay’s rich heritage through a range of disciplines, including textiles, furniture, photography, and architectural studies.

The exhibition blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary techniques, celebrating both the history of making and the ongoing art of preservation.

This event is included with your general admission to Belsay Hall. Book early and save 15%. Members go free.

Make And Mend At Belsay Hall

Join us at Goodrich Castle on Saturday 28 June for Medieval Sword School and learn to wield a sword like a medieval knight.

Goodrich Castle's constable and his men will be training, honing their sword skills, and they're happy to teach you a trick or two as well!

There will be demonstrations at 11am and 2pm and more informal lessons throughout the day.

Medieval Sword School At Goodrich Castle

Calling all book lovers! Join us at Bayham Old Abbey for a Book Bonanza – a delightful day of browsing, discovering, and taking home your next great read.

Explore a treasure trove of second-hand books, from well-loved classics to hidden gems, with something for readers of all ages and interests. Whether you’re hunting for a page-turner, a cosy comfort read, or a surprise find, you never know what you might uncover.

Every donation helps support English Heritage, so you can stock up your shelves while giving something back to the care of special places like Bayham Old Abbey.

Bayham Old Abbey Book Bonanza

Join experienced BSL Guide Alan Murray for a tour of Wellington Arch. Learn about the history of the of one of London's most iconic landmarks and take in the panoramic views from the balcony.

This tour is included with your general admission to Wellington Arch which you can book below. Members go free but will need to pre-book tickets too. Select how many tickets you need, then select the date of the tour. There will be an option to add on the BSL Tour afterwards. Please see full booking instructions below.

If you need any help with your booking, or need more information, please email: apsleyhouse@english-heritage.org.uk

Access information:

Meeting Point: outside the main entrance of Wellington Arch. The What 3 Words address is https://what3words.com/become.bend.host.The closest tube station is Hyde Park Corner.

There is a lift to all floors or 65 steps to the top of the arch

Toilets: There is an accessible toilet

Parking: There is very limited parking on site at Apsley House (170m away) for blue badge holders, which must be booked in advance. Drop off at Apsley House is available and does not need to be booked.

British Sign Language Guided Tour Of Wellington Arch

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. 

Evening Garden Tour At Witley Court

English Heritage

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