Contact Us & FAQS

Visit FAQs

Frequently asked questions about booking your visit, paying for your visit, and the on-site experience you can expect when you arrive.

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 will be open from 29 March. Some of these sites will offer 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 Stay at Home order is in place until March 29. Domestic holidays are permitted from Step 2, which begins on 12 April at the earliest, but the government’s advice is still to minimise travel until Step 3, which begins 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.

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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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 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?

    The ‘Rule of 6’will be in place from 29 March, meaning that you can meet in groups of up to six people or with one other householdoutdoors. People from different households will need to socially distance from each other. This restriction will be easedin Step 3, which will begin no earlier than 17 May.

Paying for your visit

  • 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.

  • 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.

On-Site Experience

  • Can I visit with more than 6 people?

    The ‘Rule of 6’ will be in place, meaning that you can meet in groups of upto six people or with one other household outdoors. People who aren’t from the same household or support bubble will still need to socially distance.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.  

  • 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.

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