Inspire Me

With summer in full swing and a great selection of action-packed events happening at our sites, there has never been a better time to visit. 

Our historic sites offer something for everyone. Here we have gathered some of our favourite features, events and things to do to inspire your next visit.

Best for Families

Legendary Events

Book now and save on our blockbuster Knights’ Tournaments, medieval jousts, new Pirates events and a huge range of other unmissable days out across the country.

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Summer Explorer Quests

We need your help to uncover the stories behind our historic sites. Explore, complete the challenges, find the missing shields and learn all about England’s fascinating past! All quests run from 23 July - 4 September.

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Family Days out for under £20

Looking for a family experience that won't break the bank?

From mighty Norman castles to atmospheric abbeys, we've listed our top picks for family days out on a budget.

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Dog Friendly Days Out

Discover our dog friendly sites and plan a family day out where you can bring your four legged friend with you.

Find a Dog Friendly site

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

Explore our Historic Gardens

The historic gardens in our care are among the finest in the country. From sweeping parkland to pretty parterres, and from showstopping water features to shady woodland walks, these spectacular spaces offer fantastic days out in the places that made horticultural history.

Find a garden near you and enjoy history in full bloom this summer.

Find a Historic Garden

  • Cycling Guides

    Whether you're a novice or bike enthusiast, our cycling guides offer a fun way to take in multiple sites this summer. Wheel your way across the Isle of Wight, find serenity in North Yorkshire, or tour across the Wiltshire countryside and its 5000 years of history.

  • Coastal Walks

    Enjoy the great outdoors this summer and combine an invigorating seaside stroll with an inspiring visit to one of our historic sites, following these glorious routes along England's most beautiful coastlines. 

SCENIC STOPS FOR A ROAD TRIP

Travelling to visit family, friends or just to get away from it all this summer? Some of our historic places near main roads and motorways make an excellent alternative to motorway service stations.

Escape the rush of traffic, stretch your legs, avoid the queues for the loos - stop off to explore England's story instead.

Please check our individual property pages for opening times before you visit.

Find a place to stop
A family in the grounds of Walmer Castle

Make the most of your visit

We look after over 400 historic places, and remarkably, 250 of those are free to visit. From remote stone circles to ruined abbeys, and Norman castles to Roman temples, you can explore thousands of years of history for absolutely nothing.

We picked 7 top sites around the country and a selection of free places to visit afterwards for a history-packed day out that won’t break the bank.

Find out more

Top 10 Castles

From "just beautiful" Kenilworth Castle to the "breathtaking clifftop location" of Tintagel Castle, here are the nation's best castles as picked by you. 

Visit our Castles

Top 10 Gardens

From rolling parklands to working kitchen gardens, we look after some of the most magnificent gardens in the country.

Explore our Gardens

Top 10 Family Days Out

Where's the best place to take the family on a day out? That's the question we posed to our Facebook followers, and hundreds of you got in touch to tell us your favourite sites.

Plan your family day out

THE BEST OFFER IN HISTORY

Enjoy unlimited access, free or reduced entry to events, as well as our exclusive quarterly members magazine and your own handbook worth £10.95.

Don’t miss out on our special summer offer to save 25% off annual Direct Debit memberships this August only.

Join Now

Escape to the Coast

Cottages by the sea

From fairy-tale castles to remote and tranquil ruins, if you're craving the fresh seaside air and panoramic coastal views, head to one of the properties below and enjoy a break beside the sea.

Discover our seaside cottages

History of Seaside resorts

Britain’s beaches are a popular day trip destination when the sun is shining, but this wasn’t always the case. Joining us to discuss the origins of the beach holiday, the history of British seaside resorts and how visits to the seaside have changed over the centuries is Dr Allan Brodie, a senior investigator at Historic England and a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University.

Discover a selection of English Heritage’s best historic beach escapes.

Listen Here
'step into englands story