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FAMILY-FRIENDLY DAYS OUT FOR MAY HALF TERM

Join us during May half term for hands-on activities and family fun in the fresh air.

Kids can enjoy a range of activities such as knight school, junior jousting, historical games or storytelling this May. Find out what fun activities are available at your local castle, house, palace or abbey.

Which ones will you and your kids enjoy?

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Discover great days out near you this May

MAY HALF TERM BLOCKBUSTERS

Fancy a parlay with a pirate, or how about meeting Queen Victoria? Our special themed events are a great day out for the whole family. 

  • PIRATES! AT PENDENNIS CASTLE

    Tue 28 - Thu 30 May 2024 10am - 5pm

    Set sail for Pendennis Castle this May half-term for a spectacular adventure. See history's most famous pirates fight it out at close quarters, and listen to their tales of booty, bounty and barnacles.

  • VICTORIA'S FAMILY DAY OUT AT OSBORNE

    Tue 28 - Thu 30 May 2024 10am - 5pm

    Join Queen Victoria and Albert for old-fashioned thrills and spills on traditional fairground rides like swing boats and the helter-skelter at Osborne this May half term. 

  • VICTORIAN FALCONRY AT BOSCOBEL HOUSE

    Sat 25 May - Mon 27 May 2024 10am - 5pm

    Gaze skywards in awe as a spectacular collection of birds take flight to soar and swoop above Boscobel House in this display of Victorian Falconry.

  • PLAYHENGE AT STONEHENGE

    Fri 17 May - Tues 4 June 2024 (excluding Thursdays) 10am - 5pm

    Use hammers, saws and nails to build the adventure play area of your dreams at Stonehenge this half term.

  • WWII WEEKEND AT DOVER CASTLE

    Sat 25 May - Mon 27 May 2024 10am - 4pm

    Embrace the atmosphere and action of the 1940s as our celebrated WWII Weekend returns for another bank holiday spectacular.

THE KIDS RULE! GUIDE TO CASTLES (issue 6)

Read Kids Rule! magazine online to learn about life in medieval castles, including castle design, how to attack and defend a castle and what your perfect castle job would be.

This is issue 6 in the Kids Rule! magazine series following the history of England, designed to help you discover more about the past, through fun facts, illustrated stories, games, puzzles and competitions.

Read Kids Rule! Online

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.

Here are the top 10 choices, accompanied by some of your comments on what makes these places so special to visit with your family.

View the Top 10

ENJOY A FULL YEAR OF ADVENTURE

from £4.75 a month

Spring is the best time of year to become an English Heritage member and take full advantage of free entry to over 400 sites, plus free or discounted access to our exciting events programme, throughout the year.

Join now

RULING ENGLAND: WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE?

Meet monarchs and nobility as they reveal what life was really like at the castles, keeps and country houses in our care. 

Head to Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire to meet St Aelred, its most famous abbot, to discover what life was like in this Cistercian monastery. Find out what the monks used to eat, how they dressed and why they communicated using sign language.

DISCOVER MORE HISTORY ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

  • Meet A Medieval Noblewoman

    Learn all about the life of a medieval noblewoman at Framlingham Castle. Find out what life was like in a medieval castle, how noblewomen behaved, dressed and learnt good table manners.

  • Meet a Roman Legionary

    Discover more about the Romans, inclduding how and why they built Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland. From their battle strategy to their toilet etiquette, this Roman Legionary reveals all. 

  • Meet William the Conqueror and King Harold

    King Harold and William the Conqueror discuss going to war at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Discover why both men thought they were the rightful heir to the English throne.

MORE TO EXPLORE

  • MORE ABOUT THE MONARCHY

    Take a look back at kings and queens through history, from the longest reigns to the legendary battles for the throne, discover the story of England's crown.

  • INSPIRE ME

    From spotlights on places we love, walking routes and a Victorian recipe or two, find everything you need to know about the history we bring to life. 

  • What's On

    With 400 sites to visit all across England, why not plan something for the summer holidays at a property near you?

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