Inspire Me
Photo of an adult and three children walking and running through a field at Richborough Roman Fort

National Lottery Open Week: 15-23 March 2025

We're taking part in National Lottery Open Week again in 2025 to say a huge thank-you to National Lottery players everywhere for your support. The campaign this year is ‘Say yes to National Lottery Open Week’, so we hope you'll be saying yes to discovering a new favourite site, vising us for the first time or learning more about your local heritage on a friendly and informative tour.

On 22 and 23 March, you’re able to visit many of our exciting sites for FREE. In addition, there are exclusive, behind-the-scenes tours at selected sites on 14/15 and 22/23 March.

Free entry at selected sites

On 22 and 23 March, simply bring your National Lottery ticket or scratchcard to any of the sites below to get free entry for one adult and up to two children. No pre-booking is needed.

Audley End House and Gardens, Free entry 22/23 March

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Free entry 19 - 23 March 

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, Free entry 22/23 March

Carlisle Castle, Free entry 22/23 March 

Dover Castle, Free entry 22/23 March 

Framlingham Castle, Free entry 22/23 March

Furness Abbey, Free entry 22/23 March 

Gainsborough Old Hall, Free Entry, 22/23 March

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Free entry 22/23 March 

Osborne, Free entry 22/23 March 

Pendennis Castle, Free entry 22/23 March 

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, Free entry 22/23 March 

Walmer Castle and Gardens, Free entry 22/23 March 

Witley Court and Gardens, Free entry 22/23 March 

Wrest Park, Free entry 22/23 March 

  • Audley End House and Gardens

    Enjoy a day out exploring the spacious grounds and estate of one of England’s grandest mansions.

  • BELSAY HALL, CASTLE AND GARDENS

    With a unique Greek Revival mansion, a medieval castle and 30 acres of fabulous gardens to explore, Belsay offers a grand day out for visitors of all ages.

  • Brodsworth

    Victorian country house frozen in time and award-winning gardens

  • Carlisle Castle

    Standing proud in the city it's dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a working fortress until well within living memory.

  • DOVER CASTLE

    From the mighty medieval keep to the labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels below, a family day out at Dover towers above all others.

  • Framlingham Castle

    Surrounded by parkland and a picturesque lake, Framlingham Castle was once a stronghold of the powerful earls and dukes of Norfolk.

  • Furness Abbey

    The impressive remains of an abbey, including the east end and west tower of the church, the ornately decorated chapter house and the cloister buildings.

  • Gainsborough Old Hall

    Gainsborough Old Hall is a building that reflects over 500 years of history in its walls.

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

    Discover stories of epic sieges and royal scandals at one of the country's most formidable medieval fortresses.

  • Osborne

    Take a glimpse into the private life of the Victorian royal family at Osborne House and enjoy the vast estate and gardens.

  • Pendennis Castle

    Travel back to Tudor Cornwall, discover wartime tales and enjoy acres of green space at this historic gem.

  • Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre

    Evocatively sited amid the East Kent marshes, Richborough is perhaps the most symbolically important of all Roman sites in Britain.

  • WALMER CASTLE & GARDENS

    Perched on the picturesque Kent coastline, Walmer Castle is one of the most fascinating visitor attractions in the South East.

  • Witley Court and Gardens

    Discover the secrets and stories of a lost world at this magnificent country house.

  • Wrest Park

    Ninety acres of spectacular historic gardens

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Selected sites will also be holding exclusive behind-the-scenes tours to showcase work that has been undertaken thanks to support from National Lottery players, through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Please click the links below, where you can book onto tours. All tours are free, but you must book in advance (including all children), and present a valid Lottery ticket when you arrive.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: Second World War tour, 15/23 March

Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens: Behind Closed Doors tour, 16/22 March

Berwick-Upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard tour, 16/17 March

Eltham Palace and Gardens tour, 15/16 March

Gainsborough Old Hall tour, 15/16 and 22/23 March

Grime’s Graves Neolithic Flint Mine tour, 15/16 and 22/23 March

JW Evans Silver Factory tour, 15/22 March

Marble Hill tour, 15/16 and 22/23 March

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre tour, 22/23 March

Walmer Castle and Gardens tour, 15/16 and 22/23 March

Terms and Conditions

  • Free Entry Terms and Conditions
    • Booking in advance is not required.
    • Offer redeemable by one adult and two children.
    • You can redeem your Free Entry at participating sites only.
    • Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game must be presented at the admissions desk on arrival and can be either a hard-copy or digital ticket.
    • No refunds can be given retrospectively.
    • All National Lottery games, including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards, purchased in-store or online/via app qualify for redeeming this offer. The date of draw/purchase is not relevant.
    • All offers are subject to availability.
    • English Heritage has the right to refuse entry in the unlikely event of venue/offer reaching capacity, as well as unforeseen circumstances.
    • In the event of queries on the day, the organisation's decision is final.
    • This offer is not exchangeable.
  • Tour Terms and Conditions
    • You must book your tour in advance, including for all children, via the links above. Please also bring a valid Lottery ticket (including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards, purchased in-store and online/via app).
    • On the day of the tour, please bring:
      • Confirmation of the booking (either printed out or in digital form), including the booking name
      • Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game either as a hard-copy or digital ticket.
    • All offers are subject to availability.
    • English Heritage has the right to refuse entry in the unlikely event of venue/offer reaching capacity, as well as unforeseen circumstances.
    • In the event of queries on the day, the organisation's decision is final.
    • This offer is not exchangeable.
  • Prize draw terms and conditions

    National Lottery Open Week 2025 prize draw

    1. Adults who redeem a National Lottery Open Week 2025 free entry and/or tour at an English Heritage sites are eligible to enter a free prize draw to win 1 x Annual English Heritage Family Membership.

    2. This prize draw is being managed by the Development Team at English Heritage.

    3. Only one entry allowed per person.

    4. Prize draw open to adults only, defined as those aged 18+ at the time of their visit.

    5. The prize is 1 x Annual English Heritage Family Membership (up to two adults and six accompanying children per adult member, under 18 and within the family group). The Family Membership will be provided by English Heritage.

    6. The prize is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or otherwise.

    7. The draw will be conducted on Tuesday 1 April 2025. The deadline for entry into the draw will be 11.59pm on Monday 31 March 2025.

    8. The prize-winner will be contacted via the details provided in their entry with details of how to claim their prize. The prize-winner will have two weeks to claim their prize, starting from the date English Heritage first attempts to contact them. If the prize is not claimed within two weeks, the offer will be withdrawn and a new prize-winner will be drawn.

    9. After the draw and any necessary re-draws have been completed and the prize claimed, the winner’s name (initial and surname) will be announced via an update to these Ts&Cs.

    10. The prize draw can be entered by opting in at the end of the English Heritage National Lottery Open Week 2025 feedback survey and providing the required details. Completion of the feedback survey is not a requirement to enter the prize draw. Eligible individuals can also enter by sending an email with the subject heading ‘English Heritage Open Week prize draw’ to fundraising.fundraising@english-heritage.org.uk. The email must include your: name; contact phone/mobile number; email address; site visited using the Open Week offer; and date visited.

    11. Winners agree and acknowledge that use of the English Heritage Family Membership prize will be subject to the terms and conditions of membership set out by English Heritage.