Magic

Exhibition

Science

Derbyshire

Bolsover

Step into the mind of Margaret Cavendish this half-term with our interactive family friendly activities. Every day from the 14th of February until the 22nd, 11am – 3pm, the exhibition will be converted into a science lab, where you can have a go at real experiments that relate to Cavendish’s philosophy and ideas. Expect curiosity cabinets, magnet magic and mind-blowing marshmallows!

General admission applies for non-members and you can save 15% off if you book in advance below. You can also by tickets on the day at Boslover Castle. This event is free for members.

These sessions are part of Margaret Cavendish’s Mind Lab, a two-year project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project will disrupt the narrative of Bolsover Castle as a purely masculine space and challenge perceptions of women in philosophy and science, past and present.

Collaborating with the University of York, Junction Arts, and Writing East Midlands, the project will bring Cavendish's ideas to life through an imaginative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and philosophy-inspired engagement programme.

Margaret Cavendish’S Mind Lab:

Join Blue Badge Guide John McFerran for an introduction to the Cultural Quarter of Liverpool.

Visit St John's Gardens and St George's Hall and have a tour of the Walker Art Gallery, reputedly the finest art gallery outside of London.

This tour is graded as moderate access as it's a walking tour covering up to two miles with few places to stop and sit down.

Not suitable for under-16s.

Members' Event:

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

Join us at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings for free craft activities this February half-term.

Children can make a brooch, badge or pocket gift with rag rug making techniques or weave a braid or friendship bracelet or make a unique doll based on linen motankas that originated in Ukraine.

Craft activities will be in the warm Stables and Smithy on Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Friday 20 February from 10am to 3pm.

Drop in at any tme during the above hours.

These craft actitivies are sutiable for ages 5 to 11. Younger siblings welcome.

The self-guided Mill exhibition will also be open every day during half-term from 10am to 4pm. We also run guided tours Wednesday to Sunday which are included with site admission. Book your site admission via the button below.

Craft activities are free thanks to funding from the Historic England Foundation

February Half-Term Crafts At Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings

Writers inspired by English Heritage sites will be performing their work as part of Community Connections.

Join us for open-mic poetry, readings and script-in-hand performances drawn from on-site writing workshops at Mayburgh Henge, King Arthur’s Round Table and Countess Pillar.

Penrith Players are an amateur group of actors, directors and creatives who have been entertaining the people of Penrith & Eden since 1922. They produce a vibrant and varied number of in-house shows, play host to visiting drama, comedy and musicians and run a youth group which also produces its own shows. 

This event is free and booking is essential.

BOOK TICKETS FOR MY NAME IS EDEN CELEBRATION EVENING

For more information about the event please visit the Penrith Players Facebook page.

‘My Name is Eden’ is supported by English Heritage's Community Connections grants with funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

‘My Name Is Eden’ At Penrith Playhouse

Join us for an exclusive tour inside Framlingham Workhouse. Learn more about the history of this 18th-century workhouse and the conditions inside, including diet and work. Hear stories of some of the inmates' lives, which have been uncovered by our team of research volunteers.

This event is graded moderate access, due to some parts of the tour requiring the climbing of stairs, navigating uneven ground, as well as minimal rest stops. Some of this tour may take place outside, so please wear suitable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.

Learn to Wield a Sword Like a Knight!

Medieval knights trained rigorously before entering battle or tournament. Join the Constable of Goodrich for hands-on training and discover how a knight learned to fight. Participants will be taught the fundamentals of medieval sword use, including how to hold the sword correctly, proper footwork and distance, as well as basic cutting and thrusting techniques.

Training sessions take place at 11am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm.

The class will be led by an accredited instructor and will be non-contact. Numbers may be restricted.

This event is included with your admission to Goodrich Castle which you can book in advance below to save 15%.

Sword School At Goodrich Castle

In May 1312, King Edward II and his favourite Piers Gaveston parted for the final time at Scarborough Castle. Chroniclers, poets and dramatists would soon develop their narrative into a tragic love story. But how did Edward II get his queer reputation? Join Dr Kit Heyam, author of The Reputation of Edward II, to uncover the life and afterlives of Edward and Gaveston, at Scarborough and beyond.

This event is graded as moderate access due to uneven terrain.

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 a relaxed creative evening at the Citadel Welcome Centre Café. This after‑hours session gives you time and freedom to be creative in whatever way feels right for you.

Bring something you're already working on, try out a brand new idea, or simply enjoy the atmosphere and company—there’s no workshop, no pressure, and no expectations. Just a welcoming space to create, chat, and be inspired by Western Heights and Dover’s landscape and history.

We’ll provide a range of basic art supplies, and you’re welcome to bring your own. All art forms are welcome: painting, drawing, photography, creative writing, crafting, and more. Whether you’re experienced or brand‑new to creative activities, you’re very welcome.

This session is also a chance to create or submit work for an upcoming Citadel Sessions exhibition. The exhibition will celebrate how Western Heights impacts and inspires local people—through memories, emotions, favourite views, personal connections, or moments of calm. Every creative interpretation is welcome, and every contribution helps tell the story of what this landscape means to our community.

The café will be open throughout the evening, with tea, coffee, cakes and other refreshments available to buy.

Spaces are limited to 30, so please book in advance at Eventbrite.

  This event is part of English Heritage's Reaching Greater Heights project and Dover District Council's Western Heights Regeneration 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.

With support from Historic England and the UK Government, Dover District Council are working to regenerate Dover’s Western Heights—restoring historic views, improving safety, and reconnecting the site with the town through conservation, community engagement and heritage-led regeneration.

Citadel Sessions:

Join us for an evening of stargazing at Richborough Roman Fort, once the gateway to Roman Britain and an atmospheric setting to explore the night sky.

Led by the South East Kent Astronomical Society (SEKAS), this family-friendly session is suitable for ages 5 and up.

You’ll have the chance to:

✨ Witness a rare six-planet 'planet parade' (weather permitting), as Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune all appear close together in the night sky.

✨ Use telescopes to observe planets, stars, constellations and other cosmic wonders (weather permitting).

✨ Learn fascinating insights about the night sky from experienced amateur astronomers and astrophotographers.

✨ Learn the classical stories behind our names for the planets and constellations, just as the Romans would have before us.

  How to prepare:

Dress warmly—it can get very cold outside at night!

Bring a torch or phone with a torch function (red light preferred to preserve night vision). You can find a red-light tutorial for iPhone here, or if you're using Android, apps like Twilight: Blue Light Filter or Red Light can help.

Enhance your experience by pre-downloading a stargazing app like Stellarium or SkyView Lite ahead of time. There are lots of free options available.

Optional: Bring folding chairs, blankets, flasks and binoculars for added comfort and personal stargazing.

Important notes:

The event will take place on grass which may be wet and uneven, so please wear appropriate footwear and take care when crossing the site.

Children and young people under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. We do not recommend this session for children under 5.

The event is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled or cancelled at short notice. Any changes will be communicated by email, so please check if you've received a message from us before setting out for the site.

Stargazing

Start your visit to Framlingham Castle on Friday 27 February or Friday 20 March with a homemade cream tea within the castle café. Then join us for an exclusive tour within Framlingham Castle workhouse, exploring areas you typically cannot explore - the attic space and the naughty cupboard!

Learn more about the history of this 18th-century workhouse and the conditions inside, including diet and work. Hear stories of some of the inmates' lives, which have been uncovered by our team of research volunteers. This tour will provide an overview of the castle's history, from its origins up to its more recent history, getting a special mention in the song Castle on the Hill. This experience includes the tour, your cream tea, and an additional hot drink to enjoy whilst you soak up the castle's history.

Please ensure you wear suitable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather, as there are some elements of this tour that may be taking place outside. This event is graded moderate access, due to some parts of the tour requiring the climbing of stairs and navigating uneven ground. Access to the attic space is only accessible via a spiral staircase.

Behind The Scenes Workhouse Tour And Cream Tea At Framlingham Castle

Join us at Gainsborough Old Hall for a free zine making workshop from 10am - 2pm on Saturday 28 February.

A zine (pronounced as zeen) is a small booklet or magazine that is an independently published work. You can produce a small booklet in relation to your favourite topic or about the Old Hall itself. From kings and queens to the beautiful patterns of the Old Hall, there is the opportunity to produce a small booklet to keep or contribute to our community book nook.

Paper, pens, scissors, glue, magazines, and newspapers are provided to make your own zine!

Free Zine Making Workshop At Gainsborough Old 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. 

Margaret Cavendish’S Mind Lab:

English Heritage

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