Members' Events

As part of English Heritage membership we like to hold an exciting range of exclusive events. From 'behind-the-scenes tours' to 'meet the expert' talks, we aim to offer our members a host of experiences which are both informative and, we hope, thoroughly enjoyable.

Choose from a range wide of member's events across the England, and enjoy exclusive visits to some of our best loved English Heritage properties.

On this page you can learn about what's available in your region, read news stories covering some of our most popular and exclusive events and find more information on what's coming up.

For more information or to purchase a ticket call 0870 333 1183

Current Events

Sunday 11th October - Battlefield Hike; Hastings 1066

9.00am - 12:30
£15.00

The Battle of Hastings had far-reaching effects both on domestic politics and on England's relationship with Europe . As well as exploring the battlefield itself, the walk covers the approach to the battle of the two armies and includes a guided tour of Battle Abbey founded by William the Conqueror on the site where Harold fell. Ticket price includes admission to the dramatic annual re-enactment of the battle, which takes place in the afternoon.

Thursdays 15th October 2009 - Bessie Surtees House,

Newcastle
1.00pm - 3.00pm
£12.00

Bessie Surtees is one of the oldest houses in Newcastle , dating back to the 15th century, and features fine examples of Jacobean interiors. Martin Roberts, English Heritage Inspector of Historic Buildings, will lead a tour of this unique building, exploring its history and architecture. Light refreshments are included.

Monday 19th October 2009 - Castle Walk with Marc Morris

Framlingham / Orford Castle , Suffolk
12.00pm - 4.00pm
£20.00

Join historian and castle expert Marc Morris on a fascinating tour around two historic fortresses; Framlingham and Orford Castle'. Marc will give an exclusive insight into the stories of these historic buildings in his unique style. Ticket price includes lunch time refreshments.

Wednesday 28th October - Tower and Glory at night

Dover Castle
6.00pm - 9.30pm
£30.00

A special evening member's event at the newly opened Great Tower , Dover Castle . Join English Heritage for a drinks reception, and an exclusive opportunity to meet the experts behind this fascinating project Then it's time to enjoy a night-time tour of the castle so you can see for yourself the newly refurbished rooms. Following the tour members will be invited back to the NAFFI cafe for a warming buffet supper.

Monday 2nd November 2009 - Behind-the-Scenes: Birmingham City Museum Collections Centre

10.00am - 1.00pm
£20.00

Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's fascinating Collections Centre. Explore this treasure trove of historic artifacts dating from 4000BC, firsthand, as you are guided round the vast array of unusual and intriguing items from all over the world. This special morning ends with a sumptuous buffet lunch.

Thursday 5th November 2009 - Photo Walk at Belsay Hall & Gardens

10.00am - 3.00pm
£45.00

Explore the wonders of Belsay Hall and Gardens, while receiving tuition from photography expert Wyn Barnes L.B.I.P.P at this exclusive workshop. Enjoy the gardens at Belsay Hall, while capturing images on your own digital camera. After a warming lunch, learn how to get the best from your camera as well as some new photographic techniques. There will also be the opportunity to review some of your images and look at how to improve them using Photoshop.

Thursday 12th November 2009 - Deal Castle's Civil War Secrets

Deal
6.30pm - 8.30pm
£10.00

Join us for an enjoyable and informative evening at Deal castle. Experience firsthand the life and happenings at the castle during and after the civil war, learn all about the captaincy of Deal, and hear about some of the Captain's of Deal during this period. Light refreshments provided.

Thursday 12th November 2009 - Gorton Monastery

Manchester
11.30am - 2.00pm
£16.00

The Monastery of St. Francis was designed by Edward Pugin between 1834 and 1875 and is one of Manchester's most important landmarks. The magnificent Grade II* church and friary buildings are being sensitively restored and converted to create a unique urban retreat, conference and events centre in the heart of a rejuvenated community. Join us on a unique tour and learn about the history and the work of this restoration programme supported by English Heritage. This fascinating tour will conclude with lunch.

Thursday 19th November 2009 - Yorkshire's Finest - Artisans & Saucepans!

Byland Abbey Inn, North Yorkshire
12.00pm - 2.30pm
£25.00

Join us for lunch and some fine Yorkshire fare at the award winning Byland Abbey Inn, in the unique and idyllic setting of Byland Abbey in North Yorkshire . Sample Yorkshire's finest food, all of which is locally sourced and crafted by master chefs at the Byland Abbey Inn.

Accompanying the lunch will be a talk on furniture making by master carpenter Ian Thompson whose grandfather contributed to the selection of Thompson furniture at the property. Also Brother Liam from nearby Ampleforth Abbey will talk about the cider and liquor he and his fellow monks and lay brothers make.

Afterwards you will be able to wander through the nearby majestic ruins of Byland Abbey.

Monday 14th December 2009 - Georgian Christmas by Candlelight

Fairfax House, York
6.00pm - 7.30pm / 8.00pm - 9.30pm
£15.00

Join us for a Christmas tipple and an exclusive Georgian Christmas tour of Fairfax House by candlelight. Experience the splendour of Christmas in the grand rooms of the finest Georgian Townhouse in England and witness the spectacular decorations and the famous giant Yorkshire Pie. The atmosphere is enhanced by the illumination of candles throughout the house to recreate the feeling of a true Georgian Christmas.

Thursday 17th December 2009 - A Christmas Treat at Chethams

Chethams School of Music , Manchester
12.45pm - 3.00pm
£16.00

Enjoy the festive spirit with a short Christmas concert by Chetham's famous music students, followed by lunch in the marvellous medieval rooms and a guided tour of the oldest surviving library in Britain .

Wednesday 16th December - Christmas Carols at Eltham Palace

London
7.30pm - 9.00pm
£10.00

Join our Christmas celebrations at Eltham Palace with an exclusive carol concert by Eltham College and a mince pie.

Tuesday 8th December 2009 - Christmas Carols at Apsley House

Doors open at 6.00pm
Performance 7.00pm - 8.30pm
£20.00

A special opportunity to see an exclusive choral performance of Christmas music, performed by Christ's College Cambridge choir, staged in the beautifully decorated Waterloo Gallery at Apsley House. The ticket price includes refreshments.

Friday 15th January 2010 - Theatre Royal

Newcastle
10.00am - 11.30am
£12.00

Enjoy a guided tour and talk at one of the most famous theatres in the country. Learn about Theatre Royal's 170 year history, which remains one of the most historic, cultural landmarks that continues to dominate the heart of Newcastle's Grainger Town . Refreshments will be provided.

Friday 15th January 2010 - Winter Secrets at Walmer Castle

Walmer Castle , Kent .
2.00pm - 4.00pm
£12.00

Discover how the castle is cleaned and the furniture is inspected every winter. For more information see this month's edition of English Heritage magazine, Heritage Today.

Friday12th February 2010 - York Cold War Bunker

11.00am - 1.00pm , 2.00pm - 4.00pm
£12.00

A guided tour of this former nuclear nerve centre. As Cold War tensions increased in the 1960's, this bunker was designed to monitor potential nuclear activity. Refreshments will be provided.

Thursday 18th March, 2010 - JW Evans: Tour around Historic Silverware Factory

Birmingham
10.30am - 12.00pm ; 12.30pm - 14.00pm ; 14.30pm - 16.00pm
£10

Discover English Heritage's latest rescue project with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour around JW Evans to see the conservation work in progress. Experience the fascinating 'time capsule' of this historic silverware factory, which houses working machinery and contents from the 1880's.

Wednesday 24th February 2010 - Mrs Crowcombe's Cookbook: A demonstration

Audley End House, Essex
11.00 - 1.00pm or 2.00pm - 4.00pm
£15.00

To celebrate the return of Mrs Crowcombe's cookbook, we invite you to join food historian Marianne Gray for a special talk and demonstration.

Thursday 4th March - Behind the Scenes at the Service Wing; Phase 2

Audley End House, Essex
11.00am - 1.00pm or 2.00pm - 4.00pm
£10.00

An exclusive opportunity to meet an expert historian working on the redevelopment project at Audley End. Hear first hand about the research undertaken for this project and the fascinating characters, stories and anecdotes it uncovered.

Tuesday 16th March - English Heritage Wallpaper; Past and Present

2.00pm - 4.00pm
£7.00

Join expert historian Treve Rosoman as he examines a wonderful catalogue of historic wallpaper. Hear from The Little Green Paint Company on how they have used the historic designs demonstrated by Treve to produce a contemporary range of wallpapers for English Heritage.

Friday 26th March, 2010 - John Constable's Salisbury

2.00pm - 4.30pm
£10

Walk in the footsteps of John Constable as you explore the magnificent Cathedral Close in Salisbury . Gain a fascinating insight into the life and art of John Constable; see firsthand where he gained inspiration for some of his famous works and where he lived during the time he spent in this beautiful setting. Enjoy special access to the garden of Leadenhall , with views across the meadows to where he painted his famous masterpiece: "Salisbury Cathedral form the Meadows".

Wednesday 31 st March, 2010 - Stonehenge : Up Close

3.00pm - 7.00pm
£23

Gain a rare and fascinating insight into this famous World Heritage Site; Stonehenge . Enjoy an exclusive tour led by one of English Heritage's experts. Visit key archaeology sites including Durrington Walls, Woodhenge and The Cursus and learn more about the archaeological landscape and investigative work that has gone on in recent years. The tour finishes with access to the stone circle at Stonehenge accompanied by our English Heritage expert. Afternoon tea included.