Membership

• Will you be extending my membership after this lockdown?

  During the first lockdown when all our sites were closed, we offered a three-month extension on renewal to our Members. English Heritage is a charity, and many Members opted out to help us conserve valuable funds to protect the buildings in our care.

  The latest lockdown has taken place during our winter season, when access is normally restricted to weekends only. In addition, we have kept a handful of sites open and available for local recreation, as well as over two hundred of our free-to-enter outdoor sites. We continued to bring history to life through our magazine and handbook, along with our expanded digital content offerings, including podcasts, activities, web articles and YouTube videos.
  
  We’re looking forward to welcoming Members to our sites soon as they open over the coming weeks, and we’re planning a packed programme of events for the summer months.
  
  This year has been a difficult one for millions of people and many businesses and charities around the country, and English Heritage is no exception. We’re hugely grateful for your continued support as we come through these challenging times

Visiting

• Are your sites open for visits?

  Over 60 sites have opened. Some of these sites are offering takeaway catering. Indoor areas will remain closed in line with the latest guidelines.

  You’ll need to book tickets in advance of your visit, and check the government’s travel advice before you make your journey. Please check this page for a full list of open sites. Covid-secure measures will be in place to help keep everyone safe.

• When will all of your sites open?

  In line with the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions, we hope more sites will open from 17 May. Almost all sites will be open from 21 June, from which point we hope to be running our full summer events programme.

• Can I travel out of my local area to visit?

  The government's advice is to minimise travel until 17 May at the earliest.

• What measures are in place to ensure it's safe to visit?

  COVID-secure measures are in place to make your visit safe and enjoyable.

  Our staffed sites are ‘Good To Go’ certified, so you can be sure that all necessary measures including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and reduced capacity are in place. You can read more about the steps we’ve taken here.

• Are you offering a reduction in prices?

  We have reduced the admission price at sites where we have had to close significant internal areas. Prices will return to normal when these areas open again.

Booking your visit

• Why do I need to pre-book my time slot?

  We’re limiting the number of visitors to help everyone follow social distancing guidelines. Pre-booked time slots ensure that visits are spread out throughout the day, and that sites don’t exceed their safe capacity.

• Can I book over the phone?

  No, we’re unable to take bookings over the telephone at the moment. If you have any issues booking online, please contact us. 

• I’m an English Heritage Member, do I still need to book?

  Yes. As a Member, you have free access to all our sites, but you will now need to book your free visit in advance. Please bring your membership card with you when you visit.

• Can I book a ticket on the day I want to visit?

  You can book online on the day of your visit if there are still time slots available. To see time slots, click on ‘Book Your Visit’ on the property page of the site you wish to visit. Although the date will be highlighted as orange on the calendar, no time slots will appear until you click on the date you would like to visit.

• I’ve changed my plans, can I swap my tickets/get a refund?

  If you are a Member you can cancel your free tickets by visiting the customer service area on the SeeTickets website. You’ll need your original booking reference and postcode to login, and you can easily cancel any unwanted tickets from this page. To re-book for a new date and time, just return to the English Heritage website and book a new ticket. If you require any help, please contact us via our online form or using our web-chat facility to speak with one of our team.

  No refunds or changes can be made for any paid ticket.

• How do I get my ticket?

  You’ll receive your booking confirmation by email. Just bring this with you, either on your mobile device or as a print out. The email will contain a barcode that our team will scan when you arrive. 

• Can you post me my booking confirmation?

  No, booking confirmations are sent by email only. You can print it out or just bring it with you on your mobile device. 

• Why can’t I select the time slot that I want?

  Time slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so your chosen time slot may be fully booked. We only have a limited capacity for each time slot, and some time slots are more popular than others.

• I haven’t received my confirmation email

  Please check that it hasn’t gone to your spam folder first. If you still can't find it, call us on 0370 333 1181 (9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday).

• I am a Corporate member. How do I book a ticket?

  Corporate Members can book free tickets online by selecting the ‘Corporate - Member Admission’  ticket option. Please remember to bring valid proof of your corporate membership scheme when you visit. 

• Can I book tickets for friends?

  If you are a Member, you can book a time slot for yourself and anyone else included within your membership, as well as children in your family group. Non-Members need to book and pay for their own tickets. Anyone arriving without a pre-booked ticket won’t be able to enter the site.

• Can I visit in a group?
  • Between March 29-16 May (inclusive): You are only allowed to visit in groups of no more than six individuals, or two households.
    
    People who aren’t from the same household/support bubble should make every effort to stay 2m apart from others in the group.

Paying for your visit

• How do I pay?

  We accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and Paypal.

• Is there a booking fee?

  No.

• What is a Concession?

  Students with NUS cards and those aged 65 and over are eligible for Concession tickets. You’ll be asked to show proof of eligibility - without it you’ll be charged the full price.

• How do I get a group discount?

  We are currently unable to welcome group visits to our sites. Any updates will be shared on our Group Visits pages.

• What ticket should I get for my child?

  You don’t need to pay for under-fives, but you do need to book a free ‘infant’ ticket for them. For those aged 5 to 17, please buy ‘child’ tickets.

• I have a promotional offer voucher code. How do I use this to book online?

  Enter your code on the same page as you choose your tickets, and your discount will be applied.

• Is there a student discount?

  Yes, students with NUS cards are eligible for Concession tickets. You’ll need to show your card when you arrive - without it you will be charged the full ticket price.

• Why are tickets priced differently on different days?

  At 13 of our sites we’ve introduced peak, standard and off-peak tickets to help manage visitor numbers at the most popular times of year, and on the most popular days of the week. New lower price off-peak tickets are available at quieter times, making them ideal for those visitors who prefer more peace and quiet, and to explore the site at their own pace.

   

• Why are events priced differently on different days?

  We now offer peak, standard and off-peak tickets, which all have different prices. On event days we add a supplement to the main ticket price, so the price will depend on whether the main ticket is priced as peak, standard or off peak.

• Why is today more expensive than when I visited prior to 29 March 2021?

  At 13 of our sites we’ve introduced peak, standard and off-peak tickets to help manage visitor numbers at the most popular times of year, and on the most popular days of the week.

• Will I get a refund if the site closes on the day I’ve booked for?

  If we have to close a site, we'll automatically refund your tickets. You won’t need to call us to request it. It may take up to 14 working days to reach your account.

• What procedures do you have in place if there are further restrictions?

  If we have to close a site because of further restrictions, you’ll receive an automatic refund on tickets you have purchased. There’s no need to call us. It may take up to 14 working days for the refund to reach your account.

• I have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and been told to self-isolate for 10 days. I’ve booked a ticket within that period – can I get a refund?

  Please contact customer services via our online form or using our web-chat facility to speak with one of our team and they’ll be able to help you.

On-Site Experience

• Can I visit with more than 6 people?
  • Between March 29-16 May (inclusive): You are only allowed to visit in groups of no more than six individuals, or two households.

  People who aren’t from the same household/support bubble should make every effort to stay 2m apart from others in the group.

• What does my ticket give me access to?

  To help keep all our visitors, staff and volunteers safe we have had to make changes at some of our sites, so there may be different routes to follow, and some parts of a site might not be open. We’ve detailed all the main changes on the individual site pages of our website, so do please check before you visit.

• Can I turn up on the day?

  No. You’ll need to book your ticket before you arrive at a site. However, you can book online on the day of your visit if there are still time slots available.

• Does my timed ticket mean I have a limited time to visit?

  Not at all. You do need to arrive at the site within an hour of the time shown on your booking, but once you’re in, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like.

• Can I arrive earlier than the time shown on my ticket?

  No. The time shown is the earliest you can arrive, and you can arrive at any point within an hour of that time. You’re then welcome to stay for as long as you like.

• What if I miss my time slot?

  We’ll do our best to fit you in if we can, but if we’ve reached capacity for the time slot when you arrive, you will have to wait until the next available time slot.

• I’ve forgotten my booking confirmation - can I still get in?

  No. You can show us your booking confirmation as a printout or on your mobile device, but without it, we won’t be able to let you in. For the sake of everyone’s safety, we need to be really careful that we only admit visitors with a valid booking confirmation.

• Can I just use my phone?

  Yes, our scanners can scan the barcode from your confirmation email from a mobile phone or tablet.

• I’ve booked a time-slot but forgotten to bring my membership card to site? Will you let me in?

  As always, if you don’t have your membership card you’ll be charged full price for your visit. 

• I am disabled, can I bring a helper?

  Yes, you can bring a companion or helper for free. Please select a ‘Essential companion’ ticket when you book for your companion. Check the webpages of each individual property for more information about access.  

• Can I bring a picnic to your sites?

  Yes

• Why are some of your play areas still closed?

  We have opened most of our play areas, but some are still closed to adhere to government guidelines.

• Do I have to wear a face covering?

  In line with government guidelines, face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces. We won’t be able to give you a face covering, so please come prepared so you don’t miss out.

• Do you have a Covid-19 Risk Assessment?

  Yes. If you would like to see the latest Covid-19 Risk Assessment that we have completed, please click here.

• Are you taking part in the NHS Test and Trace scheme?

  Yes, we’re required by law to request and record the details of everyone aged 16 and above who visits one of our staffed sites. We require a name, phone number (or email, or address if a number isn’t available) and the time and date of the visit. For most of our visitors, this information is gathered during the booking process, but it can also be shared with us on site by using the NHS Covid-19 App and the NHS QR code on arrival. An alternative paper system is also available.
  
  Customers using our tea rooms and cafés will have to sign in using the separate NHS QR code or the paper system, regardless of whether they have already provided their details at the time of booking or on entry. This is a legal requirement, so we will refuse entry to people who do not sign in.
  Please see the NHS Test and Trace Privacy Notice on our website.