Christmas

Tyne and Wear

Newcastle upon Tyne

Gosforth

Join Father Christmas at Belsay Hall this December for a magical way to start the festive season.

Father Christmas is taking time out of his busy festive schedule to tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree.

After the group storytelling session, you and your children will meet the man himself, with the chance to take photographs and make memories to treasure. Father Christmas will also give every child a traditional present to unwrap.

Tickets for the sessions with Father Christmas cost £9.50 per child in advance, for members and non-members. You will also need a ticket for the castle itself.

Book online and save 15%.

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Father Christmas At Belsay Hall

Enjoy listening to a variety of bands and musicians, 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 early and save 15%.

Tickets will be available soon.

Swing Into Spring At Brodsworth Hall

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of fun and festivities at Richmond MayFest 2025, taking place from 3rd to 5th May! This annual celebration has something for everyone, with a vibrant mix of music, dance, drama, and hands-on activities.

Join us at the Castle to step back in time at our Living History Camp: Try on medieval armour, and enjoy daily archery and combat displays. Plus, unleash your inner performer at a circus skills workshop!

Highlights include:

Traditional Maypole Dancing

Uplifting choirs and lively folk music

Energizing samba and Morris dancing

Engaging storytelling sessions

The much-loved MayFest Comedy Play

Check out the full event schedule and plan your visit on the official MayFest website: richmondmayfest.org

Mayfest 2025

Embark on a captivating journey through the intertwined history of St Augustine's Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral. Explore the remnants of this ancient monastic site, including the striking ruins and the graves of early Christian leaders. Witness the architectural evolution from the Saxon period to the Norman era. See how St Augustine’s Abbey, and Canterbury Cathedral are intricately linked through history and religion and how both played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of the cathedral.

This event is graded as moderate access as it will require navigating uneven terrain outdoors.

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Members' Week:

Discover the secrets of the wonderful gardens of Brodsworth Hall in this tour led by one of our gardeners.

Explore the grounds to learn about the varied themes and exotic plants of this award-winning garden. Discover how the team bring the gardens back to life in the spring and see what it used to look like with our historical photoboards.

This event is graded as moderate access as there are some stairs and uneven terrain to navigate.

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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

Join us for a captivating talk that explores the fascinating connections to Thomas Becket, the historical significance of the Chapel, and the medieval era within the Great Tower.

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history as we uncover the stories and events that shaped this iconic landmark.

Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the past and discover the enduring legacy of the Great Tower!

This event has been graded as 'moderate access' due to the various steep staircases inside the Great Tower.

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Completed (or abandoned) in about 1175, The Chronicle of Battle Abbey is the work of an anonymous monk who tells the story of the abbey from its foundation a hundred years earlier until his own time. Moving on from the (implausible) traditions of the abbey's origins, he gives character portraits of the early abbots of the community, before moving on to his own experiences and areas of interest, probably as a legal expert. A large section of the work concerns the abbey's walk-on part in the tensions between Crown and Church which eventually led to the murder of Thomas Becket. It concludes with the somewhat farcical appointment of the man who came to be remembered as the holiest of all the abbots who governed Battle. The talk will give an overview of the document, discuss some of the controversies around it, and recount some of the stories it contains.

This tour has been graded as easy access with step free access to the discovery room.

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Step into the paws, hooves and wings of history! Join us for an exciting family friendly event exploring the animals depicted in the Roman artefacts. Discover the wild animals and mythical creatures carved into the ancient stone, perfect for budding archaeologists and animal lovers alike.

Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Everyone attending the tour requires a ticket.

This event has been graded as easy access.

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The City of London is traditionally the city of the people, while Westminster is the city of kings and queens. Join Nick Collinson on a ramble through the royal quarter of London featuring stories of palaces, pomp and princesses – some are fairy tales, some aren't!

This event is graded as moderate access, due to it being a walking tour covering up to three miles over two hours with few places to stop and sit down.

The nearest tube station is Westminster, which is step-free from street to platform but some lines may require a ramp to access the train. Find out more.

BOOK NOW - 11AM

BOOK NOW - 2PM

Join our team of volunteers on a tour of the world's first iron bridge and discover the secrets of Britain's industrial past.

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

Join us for a guided tour of three rooms decorated in the neo-classical style at the end of the 18th century. Robert Adam, the architect and interior designer was brought in by Sir John Griffin Griffin at great expense to create extravagant entertaining rooms. You will also learn about the talented craftsmen who were employed to bring about these lavish interiors under Adam's direction.

The tour is graded as easy access and is wheelchair accessible.

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A fun-filled craft session inspired by the vibrant traditions of May Day! Using visual references from around the site, you'll create beautiful floral crowns or model your very own Green Man clay faces.

This hands-on activity is perfect for all ages and offers a wonderful way to celebrate the season while exploring the rich heritage of our site.

Don't miss out on this creative and festive family event!

BOOK NOW – 11AM

BOOK NOW – 2PM

Immerse yourself in the captivating tale of Henry VIII as he recounts his youth, brimming with love, ambition, and power. Witness his iconic marriage to Catherine of Aragon, the allure and intrigue of Anne Boleyn, and the grandeur of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Experience the tumultuous events that shaped his reign, from thrilling jousts showcasing his loyalty and valor to the looming tensions of war with France.

Delve into the depths of the 'Great Matter', a pivotal moment that forever altered the course of history. Through Henry's eyes, uncover the complexities of love, politics, and legacy that defined one of England's most iconic monarchs.

This event has been graded as easy access.

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Join us for a talk that delves into the rich history and significance of the Chough in Kent. Learn about the dedicated efforts to reintroduce this remarkable bird in recent years and gain tips on how to distinguish the Chough from other corvids.

Following the talk, embark on a guided walk around the site with one of our expert volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to spot Choughs and other fascinating species in their natural habitat.

Don't miss this unique chance to connect with nature and deepen your understanding of Kent's wildlife!

This event has been graded as moderate access.

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Join Collections Curator Dr Frances McIntosh to find out why the furniture in the Duke's Rooms at Warkworth Castle is not what it seems. Sold to the 4th Duke of Northumberland in the 1840s as ancestral furniture, hundreds of years old, it was actually being made in a workshop in Uppermill, near Rochdale. George Shaw was a talented church architect, keen heraldry buff, and a con-man!

This event has been graded as moderate access due to uneven terrain, stairs in the castle up to the Duke's Rooms and few places to stop and sit.

BOOK NOW - 10.30AM

BOOK NOW - 11.30AM

Join a member of the Carisbrooke gardens team to find out more about the links to Princess Beatrice and how the gardens are managed today.

This event is graded as easy access.

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Get a chance to meet one of the Audley End horses in this intimate session in our Victorian stable yard. This session will include an introduction to safety around our horses on-site, an opportunity to meet them, hear what they spend their days doing, and learn about the care they need. While you will be able to say hi, not everyone will get a chance to groom one of the horses.

The access grade for this tour is moderate. It takes place outside a historic building and has uneven flooring in places. Please take note that this event takes place at a working stable and that every child must be accompanied by at least one adult. Everyone joining the experience must book a ticket. The activity may also involve some moderate physical activity.

BOOK NOW – 10.30AM

BOOK NOW – 2.45PM

Join one of our volunteer guides for a tour of Dartmouth Castle, built in the 14th century to defend the town against French raiders during the Hundred Year Wars. During this tour you'll explore the site’s rich history and learn more about its political and geographical impacts, which led to its evolving fighting capabilities and collection of weaponry.

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

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Join us at Gainsborough Old Hall to try your hand at willow weaving with our expert tutor.

Create a beautiful decorative piece to take home with you at the end of the event.

This event is graded as easy access, and will take place in the Education Room. No experience is required.

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Join our expert guide to learn all about one of the country’s finest accessible examples of a Neolithic chambered tomb. Dating from about 3500 BC, it is 30 metres long and has multiple burial chambers open to view.

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 us for an immersive tour where Anglo-Saxon women reveal the secrets of their daily lives.

Discover how they earned a living, mastered their unique style and achieved the esteemed title of 'Goodwife.' Step into history and experience life as it was centuries ago!

This event is graded as moderate access as it will require navigating some rough terrain.

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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. 

Father Christmas At Belsay Hall

English Heritage

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