History

Tour

County Durham

Stockton-on-Tees

In partnership with the National Garden Scheme, we’re delighted to offer you the chance to explore the beautiful gardens of Mount Grace Priory and House in the early evening of Wednesday 1 July, 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 Mount Grace Priory, House And Gardens

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 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

Join Gainsborough Old Hall for a day of fun and family activities on Saturday 25 April. Enjoy free entry and uncover stories through spotlight talks, interpretation and new discoveries.

Henry VIII is back again for Community Day for two performances. In the course of the 'audience', His Majesty will recount the events of his long reign; telling of his wives and his children, and His Majesty will invite his Loyal Subjects to Petition him or question him on ANY related subject: there may be some surprising answers - a lively Q&A is assured!

Timings of performances:

10.30 -11.30am

12.30 - 1.30pm

There will be a costume and crown making competition, in which Henry VIII will judge and give a prizes to the winners. Be sure to dress like royalty and make your own crown at Gainsborough Old Hall.

Community Day At Gainsborough Old Hall

Free outdoor sessions to help you feel better, move more, connect with nature, and meet new people—no gym needed!

Come and join us for relaxed, friendly group movement sessions at Dover's Western Heights.

Hike, stretch, breathe, run, and enjoy nature together. It’s all about feeling good in your body and mind, with no pressure and no cost.

We’ll help you learn how to use the Western Heights as a free outdoor gym, so you can make the most of this amazing landscape and keep moving in a way that feels good for you, both during the sessions and on your own.

There will be plenty of chances to connect with others, with sessions designed to help you meet people and feel part of something positive. Even better, we hope you’ll keep exercising together between sessions, exploring the Heights with new friends and supporting each other along the way.

Dont fancy the full four hours? Not a problem! There's a natural break halfway through the session, and we completely understand if you'd rather call it a day at that point. The most important thing to us is that you feel happy and comfortable.

  WHO?

Sessions are led by Primal Runners – friendly coaches trained to support all abilities and backgrounds.

Everyone is welcome, especially if you:

Feel stressed, lonely, or stuck indoors

Want to get moving but don’t like gyms

Are new to Dover or new to speaking English

Just want to try something different

Please note: These are active sessions. The route around the Western Heights is steep and requires good mobility. If you have any questions about accessibility, please get in touch. We're happy to help you work out if the sessions will be suitable for you.

  WHAT?

Each session includes:

A welcome chat

A walk or run through nature

Simple body movement (no equipment needed)

Breathing and calming exercises

Time to talk, share, and connect

No experience or fancy gear is needed. Just wear some trainers and comfortable clothes to move in.

  WHERE?

Meet us at The Rings in Dover's Market Square. We’ll head up to the Western Heights together.

There is pay-and-display parking available in Dover town centre. The nearest railway station is Dover Priory, a 5-minute walk from the Market Square, and Stagecoach buses stop nearby in Pencester Road and Priory Street.

Postcode | CT16 1NU

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  WHEN?

All sessions run from 10am - 2pm (with the option to finish at 12pm) on the following dates:

Sun 29 Mar 2026

Sun 26 Apr 2026

Sun 31 May 2026

Sun 28 Jun 2026

Sun 26 Jul 2026

Sun 30 Aug 2026

  THIS EVENT IS PART OF ENGLISH HERITAGE'S REACHING GREATER HEIGHTS PROJECT.

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Reaching Greater Heights is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to restore historic chalk grasslands at Dover Castle and Western Heights, protect rare wildlife and heritage, and empower local communities through volunteering, learning, and activities.

Heights Not Weights:

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

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

Enjoy a landscape walk, led by our knowledgeable volunteers. Learn more about Marble Hill's historic landscape and the changes made to it through time.

These tours run every first Friday of the month, all year round.

Please meet outside the front of house at 1pm.

Landscape Tours At Marble Hill

Join us at Richmond MayFest which takes place on the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Expect loads of great music, dancing and drama in and around Richmond Castle and Richmond town centre. The castle hosts the Mayfair which is filled with fun, games, music and dance across the whole weekend

As a community festival, local residents (with these postcodes DL9, DL10 and DL11) get a discount on all ticketed events, as well as free admission to Richmond Castle on Saturday 2, Sunday 3 and Monday 4 May.

Mayfest At Richmond Castle

The Yarnies will be returning to Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings on Saturday 2 May from 10am - 4pm for a day dedicated to celebrating the beauty and creativity of fibre. Whether visitors knit, crochet, spin, weave or simply enjoy being surrounded by colourful yarn, this is one to mark in the diary.

Guests can browse hand-dyed yarns, spinning fibres, beautiful tools and unique accessories, while meeting talented indie dyers, chatting with fellow yarn enthusiasts and discovering inspiration for their next project.

Demonstrations will take place throughout the day, offering plenty to see and learn, all set within this incredible historic venue. There may even be the perfect opportunity to add a few new skeins to the stash.

Everyone is welcome, from seasoned makers to those who are simply yarn-curious. 

BOOK TICKETS FOR 'YARNIES' AT SHREWSBURY FLAXMILL MALTINGS

Visitors can expect to find:

Hand-dyed yarns in stunning seasonal shades

Knitting and crochet supplies

Embroidery, felting, spinning & weaving materials

Beautiful buttons, patterns and haberdashery

Handmade gifts and artisan wares

Yarnies At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

Enjoy listening to Yorkshire’s finest bands, as they perform against the stunning backdrop of Brodsworth Hall.

Bring along your deck chairs and relax with an afternoon of superb music. The perfect way to spend the early May bank holiday. 

Book online in advance and save 15%.

Swing Into Spring At Brodsworth Hall

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 Mount Grace Priory, House And Gardens

English Heritage

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