Walmer Castle and Gardens

Kent

Walmer Castle is a Tudor fortress which grew into an elegant stately house. Built on the orders of Henry VIII to defend England's southern shores, Walmer Castle later became a home for the Lords Warden of the Cinque Ports — among them the Duke of Wellington and the Queen Mother. Today the Castle houses many remarkable objects, including a pair of original Wellington Boots.

For more information and to plan a visit to Walmer Castle and Gardens click here.

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Warwickshire

A vast medieval fortress which endured an epic siege and later became an Elizabethan palace, Kenilworth Castle is among Britain’s largest historic sites. Visitors can explore the mighty medieval keep, clamber up the Tudor towers, meander through the unique Elizabethan garden and get hands on with history in the family-friendly exhibition.

For more information and to plan a visit to Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden click here.

Eltham Palace and Gardens

London

Eltham Palace was once a favoured medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence but in the 1930s it was transformed by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Today you can get a taste of the Courtaulds’ extravagant lifestyle as you explore their unusual home, try on a range of period costumes, follow the family trail and admire the magnificent medieval Great Hall.

For more information and to plan a visit to Eltham Palace and Gardens click here.

Clifford’s Tower

York

Built to subdue the rebellious north by William the Conqueror, Clifford’s Tower has been a Royal Mint, a medieval stronghold and a Civil War garrison. Today, a new roof deck gives unrivalled views over York's historic skyline, with its medieval buildings and famous Minster. 

For more information and to plan a visit to Clifford’s Tower click here.

Iron Bridge

Shropshire

This iconic symbol of the Industrial Revolution, William Telford’s spectacular edifice is the world’s very first iron bridge, erected over the River Severn in 1779. It gave its name to Ironbridge Gorge, once an industrial powerhouse now a peaceful wooded valley and World Heritage Site.

For more information and to plan a visit to Iron Bridge click here.

Dover Castle

Kent

Rising above the famous White Cliffs high above the Channel, Dover Castle is an icon of England. Built soon after 1066, this mighty fortress has been the site of royal intrigue and epic sieges, and was at the centre of the heroic evacuation of Dunkirk. Visitors can experience over 2,000 years of history and roam 80 acres of castle grounds with mighty battlements, a Roman lighthouse and medieval tunnels.

For more information and to plan a visit to Dover Castle click here.

Old Sarum

Wiltshire

The mighty prehistoric earthworks of Old Sarum were raised by Iron Age people in about 500 BC, and within them Saxons and after the Conquest Normans settled. Today visitors can enjoy sweeping views towards Salisbury and find out how the Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark on this impressive landscape.

For more information and to plan a visit to Old Sarum click here.

Whitby Abbey

North Yorkshire

Crowned by the hauntingly spectacular Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, the headland towering above the picturesque fishing port has been inspiring visitors and artists for nearly 1500 years. Today visitors find stories of saintly Saxons, Viking raids, poets and Dracula in the museum, then go onto explore soaring gothic ruins and take in the beautiful coastal views.

For more information and to plan a visit to Whitby Abbey click here.

Osborne

Isle of Wight

Osborne opens a unique window on the private family life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, revealing how the royal couple worked and relaxed and how their children entertained themselves. Queen Victoria’s palatial holiday home also offers visitors a beach, acres of grounds and grand reception rooms lined with furnishings and artworks from the Royal Collection.

For more information and to plan a visit to Osborne click here.

Bolsover Castle

Derbyshire

Bolsover Castle was the fantasy hilltop pleasure palace of a horse-mad Cavalier playboy. This unique Stuart showpiece displays some of the most lavishly decorated rooms anywhere in England, a wonderfully recreated period garden, an astonishing riding school and amazing views. 

For more information and to plan a visit to Bolsover Castle click here.

Rievaulx Abbey

North Yorkshire

Set in a tranquil wooded valley in the North York Moors, Rievaulx Abbey boasts the stately ruins of one of England's most powerful Cistercian monasteries. A welcoming café, site museum and audio tour trail help visitors of all ages enjoy the most impressive and extensive monastic remains in Britain.

For more information and to plan a visit to Rievaulx Abbey click here.

Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Cheshire

Crowning a rocky crag high above the Cheshire Plain and boasting spectacular views, Beeston is one of the most dramatically sited medieval castles in England. Visitors can enjoy a site with 4,000 years of history, a replica Bronze Age roundhouse and a 40-acre woodland park.

For more information and to plan a visit to Beeston Castle and Woodland Park click here.

Marble Hill

Twickenham

Marble Hill is a beautiful Palladian mansion surrounded by over sixty acres of riverside parkland. Inside the house, visitors can discover a taste of Georgian life with freshly conserved interiors and new displays that tell the story of Henrietta Howard, Marble Hill’s remarkable owner.

For more information and to plan a visit to Marble Hill click here.

Gainsborough Old Hall

Lincolnshire

Gainsborough Old Hall is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval manor houses in England. Today visitors can uncover the magnificent Great Hall, view lodgings for lords and paupers, and see one of the best surviving medieval kitchens in the country.

For more information and to plan a visit to Gainsborough Old Hall click here.

Witley Court and Gardens

Worcestershire

Witley Court is the striking remains of a Victorian country house mansion amid vast and beautiful grounds. The house was built in the 17th century and remodelled in Victorian times, however it fell into decline after the First World War and was accidentally burnt to a roofless shell in 1937. Today it’s the perfect place for a family adventure, with dramatic Italianate ruins, beautiful gardens and wild woodlands waiting to be explored.

For more information and to plan a visit to Witley Court and Gardens click here.

Carlisle Castle

Cumbria

Carlisle Castle remains a dominating presence in the city it has watched over for nine centuries. The medieval castle was built on the site of an important Roman fortress and it has gone on to withstand many sieges, held captive a Royal prisoner, and been home to the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Today you can trace its long and sometimes gory history, explore the powerful Keep and discover its turbulent history with the exhibition.

For more information and to plan a visit to Carlisle Castle click here.

Dartmouth Castle

Devon

Dartmouth Castle is one of the most beautifully located fortresses in England. For over 600 years it has guarded the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary and the busy, vibrant port of Dartmouth. Today Dartmouth Castle offers stunning views of the estuary, a riverside tearoom for light lunches and snacks, and interactive installations which bring the Castle’s story to life.

For more information and to plan a visit to Dartmouth click here.

Boscobel House and The Royal Oak

Shropshire

Boscobel House is a picturesque hunting lodge full of secrets and stories. Famously, King Charles II took refuge here in 1651 after fleeing for his life following Civil War defeat. Visitors can peer into the priest hole where he spent the night and discover the story of daring escape whilst exploring the house. 

For more information and to plan a visit to Boscobel House and The Royal Oak click here.

Audley End House and Gardens

Essex

This noble Jacobean mansion in its landscaped setting is arguably the best place in England to discover how a great mansion worked, both for servants and their masters. Visitors can explore the servants’ domains, state rooms, fully working stables and the organic kitchen gardens. The Victorian Service Wing provides a unique insight into life ‘below stairs’ during the 1880s, including the kitchen of Mrs Crocombe, Victorian cook and 21st century YouTube celebrity!

For more information and to plan a visit to Audley End House and Gardens click here.

Chesters Roman Fort and Museum

Northumberland

Set in the beautiful valley of the River Tyne, Chesters Roman Fort is the best-preserved Roman cavalry fort in Britain. Visitors can see what life was like at one of the Roman Empire's most northern outposts and wander around the unusually well-preserved baths, steam room, and officers' quarters.

For more information and to plan a visit to Chesters Roman Fort and Museum click here.