What's On
Experience unmissable historic events taking place this summer at English Heritage sites across the country. Tick off your summer holiday bucket list with family-friendly events and activities.
If you’re looking to take a more laid-back approach to your summer, don’t miss the Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits exhibition at Kenwood, and make sure to mark a date in your diary for an evening or Sunday of music.
Scroll down to browse our highlights or click here to skip to event search.
Summer activities for all the family
Taskmaster at English Heritage
Your challenge starts now!
From 19 July until 31 August, we’re bringing Taskmaster challenge events to English Heritage sites across the country, along with plenty of rubber ducks to spot as you complete our series of silly tasks!
With brand new challenges specially designed in collaboration with the team at Taskmaster, this promises to be fun-filled chaos for all.
Book your tickets-
Come and play!
Bust your boredom this summer and join us for family-friendly activities! You can do mini golf, archery, den building, woodland and circus skills, trails featuring dinosaurs, bugs and fairies and more. There’s something different happening at each site, so check event listings to find out more. Click to find your nearest event.
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Family History Weekend at Kenilworth Castle
Sat 19 & Sun 20 July 2025Get hands-on with history and learn about Elizabeth I’s visit to Kenilworth Castle in 1575! You can have a go at junior jousting and sword-skills training and explore the castle on a family-friendly story walk.
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Medieval Mischief at Warkworth Castle
Tue 5 & Wed 6 Aug 2025Experience entertainment from medieval England at Warkworth Castle. Meet characters from the past and hear tales and music from centuries ago. From epic battles to fabulous costumes, get ready to be transported into the past by the Silly History Crew.
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Kids' dig at Stonehenge
Sat 19 Jul - Sun 31 Aug 2025Bring your budding archaeologists to unearth the past in our special Stonehenge sandboxes. Artefacts from across the centuries are ready to be excavated, giving your children the chance to discover Stonehenge through the things that have been left behind.
Summer events highlights
Knights' tournaments and legendary jousts
Get up close to the action as rival knights compete in the ultimate tests of strength and skill!
Get thee to a Knights’ Tournament to be transported to the front row of 13th century action as you watch four armoured knights and their squires clash in a series of gruelling rounds of medieval hand-to-hand combat.
Or, experience the exhilarating speed and skill of a Legendary Medieval Joust! Watch our fearless knights and their magnificent horses charge at each other at full speed in an unforgettable display. See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves and hear the roar of the crowd as reputations are won and lost in the competition for ultimate glory in the grand joust.
Find an event near youMedieval Falconry
Discover the golden age of medieval falconry through one of these spectacular displays. Birds of prey instinctively hunt with deadly skill and these instincts were harnessed by medieval falconers.
Now, you can join our master falconers to see hawks, owls, and falcons soar and swoop overhead in aerial displays of speed and agility, then put your questions to our experts.
Find an event near youDance Anthems and UK Proms
Four unforgettable evenings of electrifying beats and orchestral magic come to Carlisle Castle and Whitby Abbey this July.
The Dance Anthems Orchestra and UK Proms will bring these sites to life at night, as part of a UK-wide tour of eight iconic historic locations. Dance the night away to your favourite anthems or join us for the most loved classics from stage and screen, plus a rousing finale of Last Night of The Proms favourites, special guest host Helen Skelton and much else besides.
Find an event near youSunday music
Enjoy a lazy Sunday listening to live music this summer.
Bring your chairs or blankets and grab a refreshing treat from our cafés, then unwind on the lawn and soak up the summer as we provide the soundtrack to your day. Including Jazz, Soul, Brass Bands and more – please check event listings for more information.
Find an event near youHeiress: Sargent’s American Portraits
Discover the fascinating American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats. These women include a war-time nurse and the first sitting female MP.
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) 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, this exhibition at Kenwood, London, is a salute to Sargent and 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.
Book your ticketsBook ahead for autumn
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BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
It’s back! The BBC Gardeners' World Autumn Fair will return to Audley End House and Gardens, Essex, on 29-31 August 2025. Extend your gardening season in style with expert tips, garden inspiration, shopping, workshops, live music and much more.
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The Battle of Hastings
Sat 11 - Sun 12 Oct 2025This October, we return to the scene of England’s most famous battle. Warriors will clash and mud will fly as over 300 re-enactors bring the Battle of Hastings to life on the very spot where it was fought in 1066. Book now to save 15% off your tickets.
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Illuminated Whitby Abbey
Fri 24 Oct - Sat 1 Nov 2025Head to Whitby Abbey this Halloween to explore the Gothic ruins bathed in dramatic after-dark illuminations. Plus, outdoor theatre brings the evening to life with a twist on Dracula in Time Will Tell's play The Dead Shall Walk the Earth.
Make plans this summer
Plan a weekend away or a short break in England with our regional travel guides. They're packed with ideas of historic sites to visit, things to see and do, places to stay and practical advice for getting around. You can also discover the best places for kids, gardens and walks as voted for by our members.
Plan your next tripFind an event in your area
More to explore
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Top 5 things to do in July
Celebrate the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth I's visit to Kenilworth, complete Taskmaster challenges, enjoy live music, see birds of prey up close and enjoy some exclusive wine-tasting.
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Family days out
Looking for somewhere where you and your family can get together and create memories? Our special historic places are full of adventures for adults and children alike.
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Become a member
As an English Heritage member, you can attend exclusive events throughout the year. Join today to get unlimited access to spectacular places across the country.