Places to visit between Christmas and New Year
Discover English Heritage sites open between Christmas and New Year this year. Explore our castles, gardens and historic places for perfect winter days out in England.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful winter wander, a dose of history, or a big family day out, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Opening times may vary. Please check individual site pages before you visit. Book online in advance to save 15%.
Sites open during Christmas and New Year by region
-
East Midlands
- Ashby de la Zouch Castle (Open Sat 27 and Sun 28 December)
- Bolsover Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Gainsborough Old Hall (Open Sat 27 and Sun 28 December)
-
East of England
- Audley End House and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Castle Acre Priory (Open Sat 27 and Sun 28 Dec)
- Framlingham Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Orford Castle (Open Sat 27 and Sun 28)
- Wrest Park (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
-
Hadrian's Wall
- Birdoswald Roman Fort (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Chesters Roman Fort and Museum (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Corbridge Roman Fort (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Housesteads Roman Fort (Open daily from 26 Dec - 1 Jan)
-
London
- Eltham Palace and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Jewel Tower (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Kenwood (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Wellington Arch (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
-
North East
- Barnard Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Dunstanburgh Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Lindisfarne Priory (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Warkworth Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
-
North West
- Beeston Castle and Woodland Park (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Carlisle Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
-
South East
- 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Carisbrooke Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Dover Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Home of Charles Darwin - Down House (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Osborne (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- St Augustine's Abbey (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Walmer Castle and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
-
South West
- Dartmouth Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Farleigh Hungerford Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Old Wardour Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Pendennis Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Stonehenge (Open daily from 26 Dec)
- Tintagel Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
-
West Midlands
- Goodrich Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Stokesay Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Witley Court and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Wroxeter Roman City (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
-
Yorkshire and the Humber
- Brodsworth Hall and Gardens (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Clifford's Tower, York (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Helmsley Castle (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
- Mount Grace Priory (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Richmond Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Rievaulx Abbey (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Scarborough Castle (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- Whitby Abbey (Open daily from 27 Dec - 1 Jan)
- York Cold War Bunker (Open Sat 27 - Sun 28 Dec)
Get inspired for your days out this winter
Free Historic Sites to Explore Across England
Many of the historic sites in our care are free to enter, with no need to book ahead. Most are open during daylight hours throughout the year, making it easy to explore England’s past at your own pace.
Discover prehistoric monuments, Roman ruins, medieval castles and peaceful countryside abbeys perfect for families, solo travellers, or anyone looking for a free day out in England.
Find a site near youMore to explore
-
More things to do this winter
Need some winter inspiration? Explore England's history this season with glorious gardens, wellie-loving walks and more.
-
Become a member
Treat the whole family to adventure and uncover the fascinating history of England with an annual membership, giving you access to hundreds of sites across the UK.
-
Dog Friendly Days Out
Your pooch will love our sites just as much you. With plenty of space at our our castles, abbeys and historic gardens, find a dog-friendly day out near you.