What's On

The Best Days Out in History

Meet the History Makers

A jouster, a jester, a knight, a WWII warden and a Roman soldier. These are the History Makers and they're waiting for you at English Heritage events across the country throughout the summer. 

We visited these passionate and dedicated reenactors at their homes, from mid-Wales to the East Midlands, to see how they've been preparing to return to work at the most unusual of jobs.

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Days out with kids

  • Family Days Out

    Plan your next family adventure to an English Heritage site. Summer is here, exciting events are taking place around the country and our family-friendly gardens are full of life and colour.

  • Outdoor play areas

    Once you've finished exploring a castle, or wandering through the grounds of a stately home, head to one of these unique play areas so your little adventurers can burn off their extra energy.

  • A Spotter's Guide to... Gardens

    Turn any garden visit into an adventure with this printable Spotter's Guide, featuring 8 things to look out for as you explore.

  • Members Recommend: Top 5 Picnic Spots

    We asked our members, which site is your favourite for a picnic? Here's what they said. 

  • Members Recommend: Best Places for Kids

    We asked our members, which sites are best to visit with younger visitors? Here's their top picks. 

The Best Days Out in History

  • Our 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. 

  • Our Top 10 Gardens

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

  • Dog Friendly Days Out

    We love dogs as much as you do, so there's no reason to leave your furry friend at home. We've got lots of options for dog friendly days out at our castles, abbeys and historic gardens.

  • Days Out for Under £20

    Our pick of the best days out at England's historic places for the whole family, without breaking the bank. 

  • Top 10 Family Days Out

    We asked our Facebook followers to vote for the best places to enjoy a family day out in history. Here's what they said...

Find your adventure

  • Regional Guides

    From London to Northumberland, Yorkshire and Derbyshire to the Isle of Wight, our comprehensive travel guides have everything you need to plan a summer getaway: where to stay, getting around and — most importantly — things to see and do.

  • 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. 

Knights and Jousts

Savour some truly legendary live sport this summer

Witness the pomp and pageantry as brave knights and jousters battle it out in real tournaments, displaying feats of strength and skill to rival today’s top athletes. Sample the sights, smells, and sounds of our atmospheric living history areas, and marvel at historical re-enactors, food tents and armour demonstrations that’ll keep the whole family entertained. Experience the drama for yourself at one of our blockbuster historical events taking place across the country.

Find an event

  • A Brief History of Knights

    Heading to one of our Knights and Jousts events? Read up on the history of knighthood in England before you go. In this article Historian Dr Charles Kightly breaks down the myths to reveal a brief history of medieval knights.

  • Victoria Pendleton: Jousting with an Olympic Champion

    We challenged double Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton to try the medieval sport of kings at Kenilworth Castle. See how she got on with wearing heavy armour and riding at up to 30mph while wielding a 12ft lance.

  • How to Make Chain Mail

    Around 2.8 kilometers of wire and up to a year of work. Join traditional maille makers Nick Checksfield and Mark Hale to reveal the skills and process of making a full coat of maille, as worn by knights at our summer events.

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