Tour

Kent

Canterbury

Step into the shadows on a one hour guided tour on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October, where eerie tales and hidden secrets bring the abbey’s past to life with a chilling twist.

Your journey ends atop the Campanile Mound with sweeping views of the abbey, if you dare to look back.

Arrive from 3.30pm to wander the museum, browse the shop, or make use of the facilities before the tour begins. Please wear suitable footwear for uneven paths. The tours will start at 4pm.

This tour is suitable for ages 12+.

Shadows Of The Abbey:

The Apsley House Mystery returns, this time set at a Masquerade Ball in 1930.

It’s a race against the clock to solve the puzzle. The Duke of Wellington has invited his important guests to a special evening reception, but shortly after guests arrive, a terrible discovery is made. One of the guests has been murdered!

To prevent a scandal, you must race to solve the mystery. Working in teams, you will interrogate the suspects, expose their secrets and their lies. The case must be resolved before the news reaches the morning papers. But hurry, the longer you take the more likely the culprit will get away with murder!

Reception drink included. The event takes places over 2 hours from either 6-8pm or 8.30-10.30pm. 1930s costumes and masks are strongly encouraged.

Your ticket is only for entry to the event. Members get a discount on the ticket price. You’ll need to book using the link below. Please bring your booking confirmation with you on the day.

The Apsley House Mystery

Double Vision brings together two paintings both known as The Guitar Player. One painting, a treasure from Kenwood’s Iveagh Bequest, is signed by the great Johannes Vermeer (1632-75). The origin of the other, on loan from the John G. Johnson Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, USA, remains a mystery.

Philadelphia’s painting depicts the same young woman playing a guitar, but with a number of small differences. Thought to be by Vermeer by John G. Johnson who bought the picture and eventually gave it to the city of Philadelphia, the question of who painted it and when has been the subject of intense debate for the past 100 years.

This new display, marking the 350th anniversary of Vermeer’s death aged 43 in 1675, sees the paintings side by side for the first time in over 300 years.

Double Vision:

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Carisbrooke Castle this half-term. 

Follow the quest to solve creepy clues, and gather round to listen to spooky stories.   

Book early and save 15%. 

Your admission price will depend on the day you want to visit. Find out more about our pricing.

Halloween Half-Term At Carisbrooke Castle

Walmer Castle will be hosting the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition 2025 for the first time!

Join us from 3 September - 3 November to immerse yourself in nature as you enjoy an exhibition featuring select higher-placed winners from both the International Garden Photographer of the Year and the dedicated Special Award "The Wonders of Walmer".

This stunning exhibition will be on display in the grounds of Walmer Castle. While you're there, explore more than eight acres of award-winning gardens in the grounds of a Tudor fortress turned country house. Built on the orders of Henry VIII to defend England's southern shores, Walmer Castle later became a home for the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports — among them the Duke of Wellington and the Queen Mother, for whom a beautiful garden was created to mark her 95th birthday.

Please note 3 Nov is for group bookings only as the castle will be closed to visitors.

International Garden Photographer Of The Year

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Dover Castle this half-term. 

From Sat 18 Oct - Sun 2 Nov follow the quest around the castle to solve creepy clues.

Between Sat 18 - Sun 26 October, meet an actual Vampire and Witch! Who better to teach you about monsters than the creatures themselves? Meet a mischievous vampire and a wily witch as they reveal the secrets of the Monsterverse at Dover Castle this Halloween. Packed with interactive shows, stories and silly scares, it’s monstrously good fun for all ages.

Book early and save 15%. 

Your admission price will depend on the day you want to visit. Find out more about our pricing.

Halloween Half-Term At Dover Castle

This autumn Belsay Hall's library will host a number of creatives from the Northumbria University Schools of Design and Architecture in a pop up studio.

See the development of creative projects across a range of media including textiles, furniture, photography and architectural studies. All works will draw inspiration from the Hall, exploring making traditions linked to the site, while showcasing contemporary techniques and approaches.

Belsay Hall has always inspired creativity and craft skill, and its creation was a catalyst for creative skills in the North East. The library was used as a workshop during the building of the Hall, so it’s a natural fit for a studio. Make & Mend will bring creating back to the Hall, and inspire new generations of budding creatives.

The finished products will go on display in early 2026.

Creative projects include:

A collection of homeware and lighting that explore contemporary uses of scagliola (plaster-based imitation stone, as used at Belsay Hall)

Camouflage fabrics that draw on the colours and foliage found on the estate. The project links to how the house was occupied by the army during the Second World War

A photographic study that explores the in-between spaces not often seen by visitors, such as landings and corridors

Large format photography that documents the layers of decay, repair and patina found in the Hall

A new typeface alphabet based on examples of graffiti left by soldiers based at Belsay during the Second World War

This event is included in your admission to Beslay Hall. Book early and save 15%.

Make And Mend At Belsay Hall

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.

The Kitchen Garden At Marble Hill

Join us for a physical workshop at Belsay Hall with Sebastian Messer where you'll become your own measuring device.

In ‘Taking Measures: How big is your Hall, Sir Charles’, you’ll become your own measuring device. Starting from a single point, your body, and expanding out until you encounter the spatial and physical boundaries of the architecture, you’ll be encouraged to get ‘up close and personal’ with Belsay Hall.

This workshop is suitable for ages 10+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

This will be a physical workshop, although not strenuous, and so participants should wear warm, comfortable clothing that they do not mind getting dusty or dirty. You can participate if you have mobility restrictions, but please advise the workshop leader.

Please note, we will also be photographing the workshop, and some of those photographs will be displayed in the subsequent public exhibition in Summer 2026 and any accompanying publications.

Entry to the workshop is included with your site admission which you can book via the button below. To book your place for this workshop, please email belsay.hall@english-heritage.org.uk

Taking Measures Physical Workshop With Sebastian Messer At Belsay Hall

Celebrate the Festival of Lights at Marble Hill. Expect illuminations, dancers, Dhol Drummers, giant puppets, hands-on workshops and more.

Free to attend.

Diwali At Marble Hill

Join Nutkhut at Marble Hill for a free lantern making workshop ahead of the evening's Diwali celebrations. All materials will be provided. Everyone is welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Spaces are free but limited, so please book in advance to guarantee your spot.

Diwali Lantern Making Workshop

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.

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

  WHO?

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 walk to 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 on the following dates:

Autumn 2025

Spring 2026

Sun 7 Sep 2025 Sun 15 Mar 2026

Sun 28 Sep 2025 Sun 29 Mar 2026

Sun 12 Oct 2025 Sun 19 Apr 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:

CALLING ALL 11-19 YEAR OLD EXPLORERS

Join us during Dover Youth Festival to explore the hidden side of Western Heights—places people rarely get to see.

Learn how to explore safely and ethically, take powerful photos, and document what you find. Build skills in risk assessment, photography, research and documentation — all while contributing to the Heritage List for England. Be part of the team helping to protect and celebrate Dover's heritage by recording what's there now, before it changes or disappears.

It's about doing urban exploring the right way: with permission, with purpose, and with pride.

Sessions take place every day, Monday to Friday, during Dover Youth Festival. You must be available to attend all sessions to take part. 

Please note, this event is reserved for 11-19 year olds.

For more details and FAQs, please visit our event booking page.

  SESSION DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES:

Mon 20 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Meet the people who keep Western Heights safe, including English Heritage, Kent Police, and White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, and play a vital role in planning for the rest of the week.

Tue 21 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Learn how to take powerful photos of historic buildings and document your explorations with your own smartphone or camera.

Wed 22 Oct, 11:30-13:30, The Citadel: Explore The Citadel, including the revetment, the prison, and some of the underground chambers, with an exclusive chance to meet the owner and find out what it's really like to look after an enormous historic fortification.

Thu 23 Oct, 11:30-13:30, Western Heights North Entrance (Meet in St Martin's Battery Car Park): Venture into Western Heights' North Entrance by torchlight and explore the old musketry galleries, roadway, and drawbridge system.

Fri 24 Oct, 15:00-17:00, The Citadel Welcome Centre Cafe: Upload your photos and comments to Historic England's Heritage List for England, and become a recognised part of the team preserving our country's heritage for the future.

The Legit Explorers Club

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. 

Shadows Of The Abbey:

English Heritage

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