Christmas

Essex

Uttlesford

Join Father Christmas at Audley End House and Gardens this winter 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.

To make sure there’s room for everyone, only one adult is allowed to accompany each child. Father Christmas needs to start the sessions on time, so please arrive at least 15 minutes before your slot.

Sessions will take place at 10:20, 11:00, 11:40, 12:20, 13:40, 14:20, 15:00.

Father Christmas At Audley End House And Gardens

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

Experience the power and glamour of John Singer Sargent’s portraits in Kenwood's new exhibition; Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits reveals the real stories behind the fascinating American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats in an exchange of money for titles. These women include a war-time nurse and the first sitting female MP.

Sargent was one of the most sought-after artists of the Gilded Age and was ‘the artist’ to depict these intriguing women. On the centenary of his death, the exhibition will be a salute to John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), the most admired and sought-after portraitist of the Gilded Age on both sides of the Atlantic. These portraits represent some of his most glamorous and powerful works. In addition to full-length oil paintings, masterful charcoal portraits also feature, depicting their subjects in a candid and perceptive light.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits is curated by English Heritage with the charity drawing upon the expertise of Richard Ormond CBE. The renowned Sargent scholar and the artist’s great-nephew is the exhibition’s consultant.

Heiress:

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 at Broadlees Bottom in Dover for an evening of bat ecology led by Claire Munn from South East Ecology. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about the bat species that live in and around Dover, including how they hunt, navigate, and interact with their environment.

What you’ll be doing

Hear from bat expert Claire Munn about local bat ecology

Use bat detectors to monitor live bat activity

Observe bats in their natural habitat at dusk

Ask questions and engage with local conservation efforts

What to expect

A relaxed, informative session suitable for all levels of interest

A chance to experience wildlife up close in a historically rich setting

The dramatic backdrop of Dover Castle’s eastern defences

Location

Broadlees Bottom, Broadlees Car Park, Upper Road, Dover, CT16 1HU

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Accessibility

The event takes place on a level car park and the surrounding compacted-earth paths, making it accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. Folding stools and chairs are welcome for those who do not wish to stand for long periods.

Who can attend

Everyone is welcome – families, individuals, and groups of all ages. No prior knowledge of bats or ecology is required.

What to bring

Warm layers for the evening

A torch (optional)

Suitable footwear

Curiosity and enthusiasm!

Reaching Greater Heights

This event is part of the Reaching Greater Heights project, made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re able to celebrate and protect Dover’s natural heritage through engaging community events like this one.

Broadlees Bat Evening

Come to Marble Hill and learn about our trees and the work we've done in regard to trees across the park! Our wonderful guides will lead you around Marble Hill Park, showing you our wonderful collection of trees!

   Meet at the cafe at 1pm.

  This event runs every 2nd Friday of the Month.

Tree Tour At Marble Hill

Join us at Gainsborough Old Hall where we will be celebrating WordFest on Sunday 13 September 2025.

The Young Writers group (run by Writing East Midlands) will read their poems from the anthology 'Twists and Turns - Tales from Gainsborough Old Hall' in each room of the Old Hall.

Wordfest At Gainsborough Old Hall

Start the weekend energised with a spot of Community Yoga amongst the backdrop of Marble Hill and it's surroundings! Community based event, meet on the Oval Lawn (Behind House towards River) at 8am.

Community Yoga

Come and enjoy a weekend full of plants, talks, and inspiration at Eltham’s Autumn Plant Fair. With over 20 stands, there's plenty to explore.

Take a seat in the beautiful Italian Drawing Room and enjoy free talks from 15 expert speakers, including authors, head gardeners, historians, and horticulture professionals.

Whether you're a keen gardener or just enjoy the outdoors, there's something for everyone.

Admission to the plant fair is included in your ticket to visit Eltham Palace and free for all members.

Eltham Palace Autumn Plant Fair

Join us at Kenilworth Castle for a free tour of the stunning Elizabethan garden on Saturday 13 September 2025 as part of the Heritage Open Day Festival. 

2025 marks the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I's most famous visit, in July 1575. You will be exploring our restoration of the garden Dudley created just for her visit, including a Renaissance aviary, plant beds full of scent, colour and fruit, and an imposing fountain.

Tours are available at 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Please meet at the garden entrance.

This tour does not include admission. You will need to purchase this to join the tour.

Free Tours Of Kenilworth Castle's Elizabethan Garden

Join us on the second Saturday of every month for our FREE open day. Explore the fort, bring a picnic and hear about the history of this fascinating site and see the Fort Cumberland Guard display.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

There are loud bangs on open days when the Fort Cumberland Guard are on site.

Last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Fort Brockhurst Open Day With Fort Cumberland Guard

Unleash your creativity at Marble Hill with a relaxed, all-ages art drop-in. Be inspired by the house’s beautiful paintings as we reimagine landscapes and create new stories together.

No booking required but there is a suggested donation of £2 per participant.

The event will take place in the Coach House Café overflow.

Art And Your Imagination:

Join our experienced Deaf guide and historian, John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of Stonehenge.

Discover the incredible story of one of the world’s most famous places in BSL. The tour will cover the history of this unique monument, including theories as to how the stones were brought to Salisbury Plain, where the stones originated from, and the latest research.

Email Stonehenge-Marketing@english-heritage.org.uk to book your free place on the tour.

British Sign Language Guided Tour Of Stonehenge

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 Audley End House And Gardens

English Heritage

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