A couple holding hands walk in the grounds of Audley End House

Inspire Me

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit our historic places and make the most of the great outdoors. We have gathered some of our favourite features, events and things to do to inspire your next visit.

Discover our historic gardens, travel guides, historic walks, Victorian recipes and fun activities for all the family. All the inspiration you need is right here.

The visitors enjoy an autumn walk outside Kenwood house

Top 5 things to do this November

We’ve got plenty of ideas to help inspire your November days out. Check out our top picks to explore the true story behind bonfire night, enjoy memorable days out and get ahead with the Christmas shopping.

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Image supporting the Million and More appeal - shows a conservator examining a collection object

Million and More Appeal

More than 85% of our collections are protected within stores across the country, that's more than a million historic objects. Every piece in our collections tells a story about England's past and helps us to understand our present. We care for these objects to safeguard the stories that define who we are and to ensure they last for future generations. 

We urgently need your help to protect these stories and stop them being lost forever. 

Donate today

Culture

A display depicting the Angevin crown jewels

Consorts and their connections to English Heritage sites

Many English Heritage sites have royal connections. In this new article, Steven Brindle explores the sites with links to royal consorts: the women and men who married kings and queens of England.

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A ghost hunter walks down a dark corridor

Historical ways to protect against evil spirits

Historic buildings display a number of ways in which people have attempted to protect themselves from witches and spirits over the last 500 years.

 

Historians Professor Owen Davies and Dr Ceri Houlbrook take us through a selection of gruesome procedures, strange marks and curious objects.

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Close up of a Roman military diploma displayed at Chesters Roman fort.

Tracing the languages that built England

English may be the world’s global language today, but before its rise to dominance, both English and the linguistic landscape of what would become England were vastly different.

 

In our new article, Sophia Smith Galer explores the linguistic evolution of the English language, tracing its path through castles, abbeys, and island retreats.

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A wild kestrel hovering outside Dover Castle

Where to spot Autumn Wildlife

Autumn's the perfect time of year for a walk around our historic sites: it's not too hot, not too cold and there's plenty of beautiful colour still around.

 

It's also a great time of year to see wildlife - from finches and fungi to trees and trails, what can you spot at our sites this autumn?

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Mr. Barker tells a ghost story - The Victorian Way

The nights are closing in at Audley End House. The candles and lamps are being lit. The evening air carries a chill. Hallowe'en is just around the corner. Mrs Crocombe has come to visit Mr Barker, the estate's Gamekeeper, to hear his plans to tell a ghost story for their fellow servants.

Relax your mind with videos from our sites

Put on your headphones and relax to the ambient sights and sounds from a selection of our historic sites across the country.

  • BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS

  • PENDENNIS CASTLE

  • WITLEY COURT AND GARDENS

History for Kids

Image: Illustration of character with dragon and horse

Are you ready to go back - way back - in time to learn all about England’s history? Read our magazines and discover our online pages where you can explore each of the key periods, from the Stone Age right through to the Second World War.

Find out what life was like at the time through fun facts, illustrated stories, games and more. 

Explore our history for Kids

More to Explore