History

Community

Music, Dance & Drama

Drama

North Yorkshire

York

In an alternative version of recent history, the UK finds itself involved in conflict with the Soviet Union, and the Prime Minister is faced with the most difficult of decisions.

Experience a real-life nuclear war gaming exercise undertaken by the British Government at the height of the Cold War in 1983.

This immersive audio experience invites you inside the Government Cabinet meetings to eavesdrop on these decisions and explores the roles of Royal Observer Corps civilian volunteers at York Bunker and the steps they would have taken at a time of national crisis.

Produced by Digital Drama as part of the project 'Forewarned is Forearmed’ which commemorates 100 years since the founding of the Observer Corps, a nationwide community of civilian volunteers who monitored Britain’s skies for sign of attack

There will be two identical performances each evening: one at 6pm and one at 7.30pm.

There are limited seats available, booking in advance is required.

Countdown To Crisis:

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:

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

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

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

From thrilling action sequences to the enchanting world of Bridgerton, join our friendly guides as they lead you through Wrest Park to discover the iconic locations where some of the most memorable scenes were filmed.

Afterwards, indulge in a delightful afternoon tea in the elegant dining room featuring a selection of sandwiches, savoury bites, homemade scones and tasty sweet treats.

Book via the 'Book tickets' button below with prices starting at £24.95 per adult and £13.95 per child.

Film Tour And Afternoon Tea At Wrest Park

Get an introduction to Patterns of Repair, a creative method for reading and responding to place through art and design. Rooted in the Make & Mend ethos, the session draws inspiration from Belsay’s rich architectural and material context.

The workshop will focus on gathering site-specific photographic studies and examples of decorative motifs derived from Belsay’s details and textures. Explore how observational drawing, photography, and simple printmaking can translate into pattern.

Using materials provided, you’ll create your own motif using gelli-printing techniques, responding directly to textures, forms, and fragments from around the Hall. These designs may act as prototypes for modular architectural elements or decorative patterns.

There are two identical sessions on Wednesday 15 and Wednesday 22 October.

To book your place for this workshop, please email belsay.hall@english-heritage.org.uk

Patterns Of Repair:

Join us at Belsay Hall on Wednesday 15 October for a Material reuse workshop with Ben Couture using a range of materials found around the Belsay site.

This workshop introduces the subject of material reuse, in a show & tell format. The session will showcase creative ideas based on work-in-progress currently being developed by local maker, Ben Couture, and Copenhagen-based practice Recraft Design Studio. 

You’ll gain insight to material reuse in a wider context, with material samples, prototypes and images, drawing on examples from around Europe, and be encouraged to take part in discussion about the subject.

This workshop is sutiable for ages 16+. All materials will be provided.

To book your place for this workshop, please email belsay.hall@english-heritage.org.uk

Recrafting:

Join us and explore the real gore of 18th century medicine in 'A Georgian Way to Die' with a specialist tour of Marble Hill House on Thursday 16 and Wednesday 22 October.

This tour will be delivered by Andrew Winrow. Andrew has volunteered as a room explainer and tour guide at Marble Hill since the house's reopening in 2022. Prior to retirement, Andrew practised as a NHS hospital consultant for nearly thirty years. Realising a longstanding interest in history, Andrew holds both a Master's degree and a PhD in history and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Join us for a drink from 5.30pm. A glass of bubbly or a non-alcoholic alternative is included in the ticket price. The tour will take place 6-7pm. Please meet your guide inside the house.

We would just like to note that this fascinating tour contains descriptions of diseases and their treatments appropriate to the eighteenth century, including mental health issues, violence, and references to suicide. Please be aware of the potentially distressing subject matter of this tour before booking tickets.

This tour is not suitable for children under 13.

Halloween Tour At Marble Hill:

Join Blue Badge Guide, Sarah Milne-Day, on a walk through the heart of the latest City of Culture, Bradford. Hear about the people, cultures and industries that have left their mark on this thriving northern city.

This tour is graded as moderate access, as it is a walking tour with few places to stop and rest.

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.

The Kitchen Garden At Marble Hill

Come and help us celebrate a significant birthday at Restormel Castle! 2025 marks 100 years since the castle’s owners, the Duchy of Cornwall, placed the ruins in the care of English Heritage. Join experts from English Heritage and the Duchy of Cornwall as we explore the unique circular castle and beautiful landscape in which it sits, once the largest medieval deer-park in Cornwall. Learn how the Castle's former owners and occupants used Restormel, and how we look after it in the present day. 

This event will start with a guided tour from Head Curator of Properties at English Heritage at Restormel Castle, followed by a walking tour of the Duchy of Cornwall's Nursery with the High Sheriff of Cornwall and Head Forester of the Duchy.

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. 

Countdown To Crisis:

English Heritage

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