Winter Opening
Our historic sites will be returning to their normal winter opening hours from 3 December.
So that we can follow local tier restrictions some parts of your visit might be a little different. You can find out the latest visit information and tier guidance for each site on our individual property pages.
Your wellbeing remains our priority, so all our COVID-secure safety measures are still in place. Visitor numbers are limited, and you still need to book your visit in advance. You should also check the local tier guidance before you travel for your visit.
Open Sites Near You
A selection of staffed and free-to-enter sites remain open over winter for local visitors and Members. With colder weather and shorter days, our sites are often quieter in winter, so their opening hours are a little different. You can see which sites are open in your area on our regional pages.
With the introduction of a new range of tiered local restrictions, our sites will adapt to follow the latest guidelines. For instance, in higher tier areas, indoor areas may be closed. You can find out the latest visit information and tier guidance for each site on our individual property pages.
Your wellbeing remains our priority, so all our COVID-secure safety measures are still in place, and you still need to book your visit in advance. Please also check the local tier guidance before you travel.
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Yorkshire and Humber
Sites open include:
Brodsworth Hall
Richmond Castle
Rievaulx Abbey -
North East
Sites open include:
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
Warkworth Castle and Hermitage -
North West
Sites open include:
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Hadrian's Wall
Sites open include:
Birdoswald Roman Fort
Chesters Roman Fort and Museum
Housesteads Roman Fort -
London and South East
Sites open include:
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South West
Sites open include:
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Midlands
Sites open include:
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East
Sites open include:
What to expect from your visit
We’ve introduced new measures for everyone’s safety. Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history happened, and you’ll still be given a warm welcome by our friendly staff and volunteers.
- By law, visitors can only visit in groups of up to 6 people, unless they are visiting as part of a household or support bubble which is larger than 6.
- Face coverings are mandatory in all our indoor public spaces, including at free-to-enter sites, modern and historic indoor buildings, indoor shops, cafés and tearooms (even when purchasing a takeaway from the café/tearoom). We won’t be able to provide you with a face covering, so please come prepared.
- Our staff have been trained in hygiene and social distancing, and we’ve made sure they have the necessary PPE.
- Some sites will be using one way systems and markers on the ground to help visitors keep a safe distance.
- You’ll find new welcome information and site-specific signposts to guide you on your visit.
- We’re carrying out more frequent cleaning.
- Protective screens have been put up at some desks and tills.
- We’ve made hand sanitiser available for you to use.
- There are new social distancing barriers, particularly around toilets and admission areas.
- To support NHS Test and Trace, we're now legally required to record your contact details and the date of your visit, including the use of our cafés and tearooms. Find out more.
At some sites there may be different routes to follow, and certain parts of sites might not be open. We’ve detailed key changes on the individual site pages of our website, so do please check before you visit.
Preparing for your visit
Once you choose your arrival slot online, you’ll receive your booking confirmation by email. Just bring this with you, either on your mobile device or as a print out. The email will contain a barcode that our team will scan when you arrive.
Without a valid booking confirmation, we won’t be able to let you in. If you're a Member, remember to bring your Membership Card. Please see our FAQs for more information.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy our sites safely, so please:
- Don’t visit if you or anyone in your household are displaying symptoms of Covid-19
- Follow government and site guidelines on social distancing and hygiene
- Queue or shop alone if you can
- Keep an eye on children
- Remember to bring a face covering with you. You won’t be able to enter any of our indoor public spaces, including free-to-enter sites, if you don’t have a face covering. We won’t be able to give you a face covering, so please come prepared so you don’t miss out. We have a range of English Heritage face coverings which can be purchased via our online shop.
Getting through this year together
We want to reassure everyone that our number one priority remains the health, safety and security of all of our visitors, staff and volunteers.
We have additional Covid-secure safety measures in place including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and limits on visitor numbers.
We are enormously grateful for the support our Members and visitors have given us throughout this difficult year.
Still have questions?
Take a look at our answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about booking your visit, paying for your visit, and the on-site experience you can expect when you arrive for your visit.
Read our FAQs