History

Kent

Thanet

Step back in time at Reculver Towers and Roman Fort and discover a fascinating story spanning centuries. Explore the remains of the Roman fort, learn about the medieval church, and admire the iconic twin towers that have stood sentry over the Kent coast for hundreds of years. It's the perfect opportunity to take a look inside and climb to the top of the north tower for an amazing view.

Throughout Heritage Open Days at Reculver Towers and Roman Fort, enjoy short history talks bringing to life Reculver's remarkable past, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and discover more about this unique place.

On Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept don’t miss the Conservation in Action van, where you can get hands-on and learn how English Heritage cares for historic places, preserving them for future generations.

Heritage Open Days At Reculver

Start your weekend feeling refreshed with a session of Community Yoga set against the backdrop of Marble Hill and its beautiful surroundings. A community-based event - just bring a mat and join in!

This event is sutiable for adults and over 12s only.

Visit the Lotus and Laurely Yoga website for more details on how to book in for a session and more information about Community Yoga at Marble Hill.

Community Yoga At Marble Hill

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

Spend a Sunday at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens listening to live music.

Bring your chairs or blankets, grab a refreshing treat from our café and enjoy a wonderful day of music.

Book early and save 15%

September Music At Brodsworth Hall

Spend a Sunday at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden listening to live music.

Bring your chairs or blankets, grab a refreshing treat from our café and enjoy a wonderful day of music.

Book early and save 15%

September Music At Kenilworth Castle

Begun during the Napoleonic Wars and completed in the 1860s, the vast defences of Western Heights were designed to protect Dover from French invasion. Now, they're focus of a project led by English Heritage, made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as local partners and communities, which aims to restore 80 hectares of rare chalk grassland: Reaching Greater Heights. Along the way, it will uncover ancient earthworks, protect rare wildlife and create new opportunities for people to connect with nature and heritage.

Join us during Heritage Open Days to find out more, and get hands-on with the Conservation in Action van at St Martin's Battery, where you can learn how English Heritage cares for the vast range of historic places in its care.

Want to learn more about Western Heights' historic North Entrance and St Martin's Battery? The Western Heights Preservation Society are offering free, pre-booked tours between 10am and 3pm both days:

North Entrance tours (Booking opens 24 Aug 2026)

St Martin's Battery tours (Booking opens 24 Aug 2026)

And why not visit Western Heights' iconic triple-helix staircase, The Grand Shaft, while you're here, open 10.30am to 4pm both days, no booking necessary.

Heritage Open Days At Western Heights

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:

Celebrate the changing season and spend an afternoon at Kenilworth Castle listening to live music in the beautiful grounds, every Sunday in September.

Bring your chairs or blankets, grab a refreshing treat from our café and enjoy the wonderful music. The perfect relaxing Sunday.

Performances will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Join us on:

Sun 6 Sep – Akiharu Kitagawa - Discover the beautiful sound of the koto, Japan's traditional 13-string instrument. Akiharu Kitagawa brings traditional Japanese and contemporary music together.

Sun 13 Sep – Caribbean Harmony - Experience the vibrant sounds by the Caribbean Harmony trio, featuring calypso, reggae, pop, jazz, and Latin music played on authentic steel pans.

Sun 20 Sep at 11am and 1pm – Dhol Blasters - Enjoy the vibrant energy of Bhangra, blending traditional rhythms with Western influences.

Sun 20 Sep at 3pm – Stringbeats

Immerse yourself in the vibrant blend of Indian classical music and contemporary Bollywood melody, performed on sitar, tabla and sarangi.

Sun 27 Sep – Chalemie - Experience the enchanting sounds of medieval and early music to life with a captivating mix of voice, lute, hurdy-gurdy and more.

Book early and save 15%

Sunday Music At Kenilworth Castle

Step into the fascinating story of Audley End and discover the people and events that helped shape this wonderful house.

To mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Thomas Howard, an exhibition of five paintings tells the story of three generations of a family who played a significant part in the development of Audley End. Two of the paintings have never previously been displayed at Audley End.

Alongside the exhibition, our volunteers invite you to enjoy a special performance, ‘Monasteries, Mansions, Marriage and Mayhem’. Hear the stories of the characters behind the house and discover how each played their part over the years.

Performance dates:

9 September at 11.30am

14 October at 11.30am and 1.30pm

21 October at 11.30am and 1.30pm

22 October at 11.30am and 1.30pm

Sign up at the Visitor Information Centre on the day of your visit. You will need admission to Audley End House and Gardens which you can purchase here. Members go free.

Monasteries, Mansions, Marriage And Mayhem

Celebrate the changing season and spend an afternoon at Brodsworth Hall listening to live music in the beautiful grounds, every Sunday in September.

Bring your chairs or blankets, grab a refreshing treat from our café and enjoy the wonderful music. The perfect relaxing Sunday.

The set times will be at 11.30am, 1pm and 3pm throughout the days.

Join us on:

Sun 6 Sep – Generation Groove - Enjoy a day of uplifting swing, jazz, and pop music with this talented community band.

Sun 13 Sep – The Honeybirds Jazz Quartet - Delight in the stunning harmonies and beautiful vintage wardrobe of this unforgettable jazz quartet.

Sun 20 Sep – Catherine Rannus Trio - Discover the effortless vocals of this accomplished trio, performing a range of music on piano, bass, sax and flute.

Sun 27 Sep – Room21 Big Band - Experience a day of feel-good swing music and uplifting vocal harmony from this fabulous big band.

Book early and save 15%

Sunday Music At Brodsworth Hall

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

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. 

Heritage Open Days At Reculver

English Heritage

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