Exhibition

Athletics

Essex

Uttlesford

Audley End is celebrated for its magnificence: beautifully furnished rooms and fine objects, carefully arranged and presented for visitors. Yet above these showpiece interiors lies another, lesser-known world.

Running from May to November 2026, Behind Closed Doors is a new exhibition that offers a rare glimpse into the hidden second-floor rooms, long closed to the public. Once guest bedrooms and servants’ quarters, they now function as store rooms, revealing a quieter side of life within the house.

Through the photographs of Lachlan French and Clive Downes, these interiors evoke a faded splendour, carefully preserved as if a moment frozen in time.

In contrast to the rooms below, they offer a more subtle beauty, shaped by memory, atmosphere, and the traces of lives once lived behind closed doors.

This event is included with general admission. Book in advance to save 15%. Members go free.

Behind Closed Doors:

A top-secret message has gone missing at Battle Abbey – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Battle Abbey

A top-secret message has gone missing at Beeston Castle and Woodland Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Beeston Castle And Woodland Park

A top-secret message has gone missing at Wrest Park – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Wrest Park

A top-secret message has gone missing at Framlingham Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Framlingham Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Pendennis Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Pendennis Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Eltham Palace and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Eltham Palace And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Osborne – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Osborne

A top-secret message has gone missing at Dover Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Dover Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Belsay Hall, Castle And Gardens

Join the Goodrich Castle Investigation Unit this May Half-Term and help the Baron crack a 13th-century cold case!

A dangerous myth has spread that this fortress is purely Gothic. We suspect the original Norman creators left behind secrets that only a true forensic expert can find. Grab your survey kit and prepare to scour the ruins to complete your Evidence Files.

This isn’t just a walk through history—it’s a hands-on forensic survey where you’ll need to use all your senses to find the truth.

This trail is included with your general admission. Book in advance and save 15%. Members go free.

Norman Detective Trail At Goodrich Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Whitby Abbey – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Whitby Abbey

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

A top-secret message has gone missing at Scarborough Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Scarborough Castle

A top-secret message has gone missing at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Brodsworth Hall And Gardens

Mystery Mission At Walmer Castle And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Audley End House and Gardens – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Audley End House And Gardens

A top-secret message has gone missing at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%.

Mystery Mission At Kenilworth Castle

Step into nature this summer and learn Woodland Skills with our expert ranger! Get hands-on with Butter Knife Carving, perfect for Young Adventurers. Join us at Bolsover Castle, where our rangers will instruct you in the art of Butter knife carving, which you can then take home with you at the end of the event and show off to your friends.

This event is graded as easy access and you will be seated throughout.

Tickets are only required for children, there is no need to book an adult ticket. However, all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Bookings for this event open on this page on Monday 20 April.

Members' Week:

Step into the past with a day of interactive history at Reculver Towers. Explore the story of coin-making from the 7th to 15th centuries with live demonstrations, and discover the world of a 15th-century archer, including weapons, armour and the realities of medieval warfare.

While you're there, climb Reculver's North Tower for breathtaking coastal views, browse hand-crafted medieval replica wares for sale and have a go at striking your own coin for a small fee.

Free to attend, no booking necessary, and suitable for all ages.

Medieval Money And Warfare At Reculver Towers & Roman Fort

A top-secret message has gone missing at Carisbrooke Castle – and we need you to find it before it falls into the wrong hands!

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to follow the trail, track down the clues and crack the codes to uncover the secret message.

Keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious secret agent, who'll be roaming around the site. If you’re lucky, they might just be able to help you complete your mission...

Book early and save 15%

Mystery Mission At Carisbrooke Castle

The famous Derbyshire village where the locals imposed a voluntary quarantine and prepared to die is a picturesque and awe inspiring place. To actually see where the plague started and the scenes of so many tragedies can only make you wonder just what type of people these men, women and children were. George Viccars was the first to die and the house in which he suffered his torment is still there – as are many of the original houses and locations where so many prayed for salvation and died.

This tour is graded as moderate access as there will be stairs and uneven surfaces throughout the tour with few places to stop and sit down. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear suitable footwear.

No refreshments will be served but please feel free to bring any refreshments you may require with you.

Bookings for this event will open on Monday 20 April at 9am.

Please meet 10 minutes before the start of your tour at the Hawkhill Road Car Park Opposite the Museum, S32 5QP (https://what3words.com/skim.erupted.chickens).

Parking is available in the village and may be chargeable at the village car park, Eyam, Hope Valley, S32 5QP (https://what3words.com/order.request.drumbeat).

During May half term, join the Woodland Tribe for Playhenge and build an adventure playground using real hammers, saws and nails. Work together to design and create the play structure of your dreams.

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.

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.

This event is included with your general admission to Stonehenge. Book advance tickets and save 15%. Members go free.

Playhenge At Stonehenge

The famous Derbyshire village where the locals imposed a voluntary quarantine and prepared to die is a picturesque and awe inspiring place. To actually see where the plague started and the scenes of so many tragedies can only make you wonder just what type of people these men, women and children were. George Viccars was the first to die and the house in which he suffered his torment is still there – as are many of the original houses and locations where so many prayed for salvation and died.

This tour is graded as moderate access as there will be stairs and uneven surfaces throughout the tour with few places to stop and sit down.

Bookings for this event open on this page on Monday 20 April.

What does history tell us about whether competition or cooperation was dominant between Canterbury Cathedral and St Augustine’s Abbey?

Join this tour and explore the complex relationship between these two great institutions, uncovering moments of rivalry, partnership, and shared purpose that shaped Canterbury’s religious landscape.

This tour is graded as easy access as it is a walking tour around the site. Please wear suitable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.

Bookings for this event open on this page on Monday 20 April.

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. 

Behind Closed Doors:

English Heritage

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