Inspire Me

National Lottery Open Week: 9-17 March 2024

We took part in The National Lottery Open Week again in 2024, saying a huge thank you to National Lottery players everywhere for their support.

On 16 and 17 March, you were able to visit many of our exciting sites for FREE. In addition, there were exclusive, behind-the-scene tours at selected sites throughout National Lottery Open Week (between 9 and 17 March).

Below is a flavour of what was offered in 2024. Check back in 2025 to see what we're offering for National Lottery Open Week next year.

 

Free entry at selected sites

On Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March 2024, simply bring your National Lottery ticket or scratchcard to any of the sites below to get free entry for 1 adult and up to 2 children. No pre-booking is needed.

All of these gorgeous places below have been lucky enough to receive funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund which has enabled exciting and transformative projects for the sites and their local communities. We want to welcome National Lottery players for free during National Lottery Open Week to say thank you. These developments would not have been possible without your support.

Audley End House and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Carlisle Castle free entry: 16-17 March

Eltham Palace and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Dover Castle free entry: 16-17 March

Furness Abbey free entry: 16-17 March

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden free entry: 16-17 March

Osborne free entry: 16-17 March

Pendennis Castle free entry: 16-17 March

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre free entry: 16-17 March

Walmer Castle and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Witley Court and Gardens free entry: 16-17 March

Wrest Park free entry: 16-17 March

  • Audley End House and Gardens

    One of England's finest country houses, Audley End is also a mansion with a difference. Enjoy a great day out.

  • BELSAY HALL, CASTLE AND GARDENS

    With so much to see and do, a trip to Belsay is one of the best-value family days out in north-east England. Explore the medieval castle, the Grecian-inspired Hall and acres of impressive gardens.

  • Brodsworth

    Time really does stand still at Brodsworth Hall, one of the most unusual visitor attractions in South Yorkshire.

  • Carlisle Castle

    Carlisle Castle was a constantly updated working fortress until well within living memory. Now its rich and varied visitor attractions reflect its long and eventful history.

  • DOVER CASTLE

    High atop the iconic White Cliffs of Dover sits the most iconic of all English fortresses. From the mighty medieval keep to the labyrinth of secret wartime tunnels below, a family day out at Dover towers above all others.

  • Eltham Palace and Gardens

    Once a favoured medieval palace and then a Tudor royal residence, Eltham Palace was transformed into a striking Art Deco mansion by eccentric millionaires Stephen and Viriginia Courtauld.

  • Furness Abbey

    The remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England, including much of the east end and west tower of the church, ornately decorated chapter house and cloister buildings.

  • Kenilworth Castle

    Kenilworth Castle was once home to Robert Dudley, the great love of Queen Elizabeth I. Today you can walk in the beautifully recreated Elizabethan garden and marvel at the mighty Norman keep.

  • Osborne

    Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's family home. Take a glimpse into the private life of the royal family at Osborne House and enjoy the vast estate and gardens.

  • Pendennis Castle

    Visit Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, a mighty fortress built by Henry VIII to defend against invasion. Enjoy unmissable views and travel back to wartime Cornwall.

  • 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, witnessing both the beginning and almost the end of Roman rule here.

  • WALMER CASTLE & GARDENS

    Built during the reign of King Henry VIII and perched on the picturesque Kent coastline, Walmer Castle is one of the most fascinating visitor attractions in the South East.

  • Witley Court and Gardens

    A hundred years ago, Witley Court was one of England's great country houses, hosting many extravagant parties. Today it is a spectacular ruin, the result of a disastrous fire in 1937.

  • Wrest Park

    Explore the evolution of the English garden and take a stroll through three centuries of landscape design at Wrest Park.

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.

See Terms & Conditions below for details on how to book.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens - Free Tours: 9, 10, 13, 16 and 17 March

Berwick Barracks - Free Tours: 13 March

Dover Castle - Free Tours: 14 and 16 March

Gainsborough Old Hall - Free Tours: 16-17 March

JW Evans Silver Factory - Free Tour: 15 March

Marble Hill - Free Tours: 13 and 16 March

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre - Free Tours: 15 and 16 March

Walmer Castle and Gardens - Free Gardens tours: 13 and 16 March

 

Terms and Conditions

  • Free Entry Terms and Conditions

    English Heritage will be taking part in National Lottery Open Week with a special offer of Free Entry at selected sites. The offer will be advertised on the National Lottery Good Causes website and through EH social media channels.

    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 ticket or digital. No refunds can be given retrospectively.
    • All National Lottery games, including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards, purchased in-store and online / via app qualify to redeem 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

    Numbers on the tours will be limited and places must be pre-booked by Tues 5 March 2024 by emailing development@english-heritage.org.uk. Please include the following information:
    Please specify which tour you would like to attend
    Provide your name, contact details, including phone number, and number of places you would like to book.
    If you have any additional requirements, we may need to be aware of e.g. accessibility needs, please let us know.
    Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour begins.
    Booking in advance is required.
    Offer redeemable by: One adult and two children (except J.W Evans which is redeemable by one adult.)
    • On the day of the tour, please bring:
    - Confirmation of the booking (either printed out or in digital form)
    - Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game either in hard copy ticket or a digital ticket.
    • All National Lottery games, including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards, purchased in-store and online / via app qualify to redeem this offer.
    • The date of draw / purchase is not relevant.
    • The offer is valid on the specific dates and times listed on the website for each event.

    In the event of queries on the day, the manager's decision is final
    All National Lottery games (including National Lottery draw-based games and National Lottery scratchcards) purchased in store and online/via app qualify to redeem this offer.
    Proof of purchase of a National Lottery game can be either hard copy ticket or digital.
    The date of draw / purchase is not relevant.
    All offers are subject to availability. English Heritage has the right to refuse entry in the 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.
    Please check with the venue for details such as opening times, location, specific terms and conditions and other pertinent information prior to visiting.
    This offer is not exchangeable.

  • Evaluation survey prize draw terms and conditions

    This competition is being managed by English Heritage.

    Family memberships are provided by English Heritage.

    Prize is 1x Annual English Heritage Family Membership (2 adults and 6 accompanying children per adult member, under 18 and within the family group).

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

    The Prize-winner will be contacted via the details provided in their entry with details of how to claim their prize.

    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, full details of which can be found at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk.