Places to visit between Christmas and New Year
Discover English Heritage sites open between Christmas and New Year in 2026. 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
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East Midlands
- Ashby de la Zouch Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Bolsover Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Gainsborough Old Hall (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
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East of England
- Audley End House and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Castle Acre Priory (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Framlingham Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Orford Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Wrest Park (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
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Hadrian's Wall
- Birdoswald Roman Fort (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Chesters Roman Fort and Museum (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Corbridge Roman Fort (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Housesteads Roman Fort (Open daily from Sat 26 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
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London
- Apsley House (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Eltham Palace and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Jewel Tower (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Kenwood (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Wellington Arch (Open Sun 27 Dec and Wed 30 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
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North East
- Barnard Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Dunstanburgh Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Lindisfarne Priory (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Tynemouth Priory and Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Warkworth Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
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North West
- Beeston Castle and Woodland Park (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Carlisle Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
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South East
- 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Carisbrooke Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Deal Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Dover Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Home of Charles Darwin - Down House (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - 3 Jan)
- Osborne (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- St Augustine's Abbey (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - 3 Jan)
- Walmer Castle and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
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South West
- Dartmouth Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Farleigh Hungerford Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Old Sarum (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Old Wardour Castle (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Pendennis Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Stonehenge (Open daily. Closed on Christmas Day)
- Tintagel Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 - Fri 3 Jan)
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West Midlands
- Goodrich Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Stokesay Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Witley Court and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Wroxeter Roman City (Open Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
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Yorkshire and the Humber
- Brodsworth Hall and Gardens (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Clifford's Tower, York (Open daily from Sat 26 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Helmsley Castle (Open from Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Mount Grace Priory (Open daily from Sat 26 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Richmond Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Rievaulx Abbey (Open daily from Sat 26 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Rievaulx Terrace (Open from Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
- Scarborough Castle (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- Whitby Abbey (Open daily from Sun 27 Dec - Sun 3 Jan)
- York Cold War Bunker (Open from Sun 27, Mon 28 Dec and Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jan)
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
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More things to do this winter
Need some winter inspiration? Explore England's history this season with glorious gardens, wellie-loving walks and more.
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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.
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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.