Travel Guides

Travel Guides

Plan a weekend away or a short break in England with our regional travel guides. They're packed with ideas of historic sites to visit, things to see and do, places to stay and practical advice for getting around.

Get inspired with our walking and cycling guides, designed to help you take in multiple nearby sites in one day. You can also discover the best places for kids, gardens and picnics as voted for by our Members.

Please check the individual property pages of the sites you'd like to visit for the most up-to-date information.

Plan a weekend away or a short break in...

  • Wiltshire

    Wiltshire has more prehistoric monuments than any other county in England. In this guide, we'll explore some of these places that shine a light on our ancient past, visit a couple of castles, and point out a few other fascinating places along the way.

  • Isle of Wight

    Chosen by Queen Victoria as a holiday retreat and by the Normans for one of their medieval defence forts, the Isle of Wight is an island fit for rulers and royalty. Just two hours from London, the island is rich in history, charm and intrigue.

  • East Midlands

    Today the rich, rural landscape of the East Midlands is more or less peaceful. But behind this tranquillity lies a turbulent past. This guide focuses on things to do in Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, but there's plenty to do in this underrated region.

  • Derbyshire

    Between the M1 and the moors lie the manor houses and market towns which were once the domain of a remarkable Tudor woman, Bess of Hardwick. Stay on her Hardwick estate and explore this diverse county on a history-inspired weekend away.

  • North Yorkshire

    Explore the commanding castles which march inland from the coast to the Dales, the wild moors and the tranquil ruins of abbeys and priories that you'll find in 'God's own country' of North Yorkshire.

  • Cumbria

    Cumbria's majestic fells are many people's reason for visiting the Lake District. But from Roman legionaries to Victorian craftsmen there's plenty of history to uncover here too.

  • London

    At the heart of English history, London is unrivalled for its sheer amount of things to do. We've picked out historical highlights in four areas for you to plan a long weekend or a series of days out in the capital.

  • Kent

    Home to some of the most impressive historic sites in the country, the 'Garden of England' offers award-winning beaches, seaside towns, ancient marshes and the famous white chalk cliffs. Perfect to explore on a short break.

  • Hadrian's Wall

    Hadrian's Wall is now the most famous frontier of the mighty Roman Empire. Today, it remains an inspiring and atmospheric monument to this incredible civilisation, with all sorts of places to visit to learn about the Romans.

  • Cornwall

    Castles dominate the coastline, isolated settlements and sites steeped in myth and legend are just a small part of what Cornwall has to offer. Plan a long weekend of history in this incredible part of south west England.

  • Northumberland Coast

    The Northumberland coast is a place to feel close to nature and to the past. Discover the tranquil islands, wide beaches, marshes and saltflats, coves and cliffs, fishing villages and fortresses of this beautiful coastline.

Scenic road trip stops

If you're planning a long car journey, we've picked out sites near motorways and main roads which make excellent alternatives to stopping at a motorway service station. 

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

Find out more

Cycling Guides

If you’re planning a day out to our historic sites, why not make a cycle ride there, back or between sites part of the fun? The following places have bike racks or somewhere to secure your bike while you explore.

Members Recommend...

DISCOVER THE BEST PLACES FOR A DAY OUT, AS VOTED FOR BY OUR MEMBERS

  • Best places for kids

    Find out which sites are most popular with our younger Members, including ones where you can go many times and still not 'see everything'.

  • Best Gardens

    Looking for a day out in nature? Discover which of our historic sites have the best gardens according to our Members.

  • Best Picnic Spots

    At which sites do our Members most enjoy munching their lunch? Hint: one of them lets you eat while 'watching the sea birds and the waves’.

Walking Guides

More to Explore

  • Days out with Dogs

    Enjoy a great day out with your dog at an English Heritage property. There are plenty of dog-friendly sites across the whole of England for your furry friends to enjoy.

  • Top 10 Castles

    Want to be a king or queen for the day? We asked our Facebook followers to name their favourite English castle.

  • Holiday Cottages

    Immerse yourself in England's colourful past by staying in one of our unique and historical properties - choose from cosy cottages, gatehouse towers, beachside retreats and more.

  • Members do more

    Help to keep the story of England's history alive for future generations. Join today and enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historic places, for yourself and up to 6 children.

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