Family Days Out
Photo of two adults and two children smiling and walking through a historic garden on a sunny day

Family Days Out

Looking for somewhere where you and the family can get together and create memories? Our special historic places offer extraordinarily good value and are full of heart-warming adventures for adults and children alike.

Experience our breathtaking castles, abbeys and stately homes, or stretch little legs and fire up imaginations with our family events and activities.

Read on for tips and suggestions and to find out what's on near you!

SEARCH FOR FAMILY DAYS OUT

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Photo of two adults holding up two young children, all of whom are looking over a castle wall on a sunny day

Guide to going out

Families are unique, as are the personalities within them! The secret to a truly great day out with your family isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. That's why we created this guide to help you find the perfect day out to suit you and your family.

Do your children have lots of energy to burn? Do you want to be inspired? Or perhaps discovering more about our heritage sounds more like you? Whatever you enjoy, we've got you covered.

Find your perfect day out
A young girl cheers with a massive smile on her face and her arms in the air as she explores the play area at Dover Castle. She's wearing red-and-white striped leggings, a denim shirt and sandals.

Our best history-themed playgrounds

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

We've picked out our favourite outdoor playgrounds for you and your family to discover.

Find a playground near you
Photo of the exterior of Bolsover Castle with visitors exploring the castle on a cloudy day

Top 10 castles

We asked English Heritage members which of our castles were their favourites. These are the results!

Check out which castles our members love and the reasons they think these unique sites are the best.

Check out our top 10 castles
A young blonde girl wearing a sunhat peeps around the stone walls of Launceston Castle.

Brilliant family days out for under £20

Looking for a family experience that won't break the bank?

From mighty Norman castles to atmospheric abbeys, we've listed our top picks for English Heritage family days out on a budget.

Find a budget family day out
Photo of two children walking through Audley End House in Essex

MEMBERS RECOMMEND: BEST SITES FOR KIDS

Happy kids equals happy parents! We asked our members which sites are their children's favourites.

Did your favourite make it onto the list?

Find a site for kids

Family Guides

Inspiration and top tips for visiting

It can be tricky to plan a day out with the little ones. To give you peace of mind for your visit, we've prepared helpful guides packed with useful info. Browse the guides, find out what you can look forward to, and get the answers to questions about our facilities at some of our favourite historic places.

Browse all family guides
Photo of two English Heritage sensory backpacks including binoculars, a plush sheep toy, ear defenders and a fidget widget, with Dover Castle in the background

New sensory backpacks at Kent sites

These free-to-borrow backpacks are designed to help visitors with sensory processing needs have a more enjoyable experience - simply ask on site to borrow yours.

Each backpack contains tools like fidget widgets, plush toys and ear defenders to help manage sensory input and reduce stress. Whether you’re visiting as a family, with a carer or independently, these backpacks are designed to make it easier to explore our sites in a way that suits you.

 

Visit Kent

More to Explore

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  • What's On

    Feel great at our unmissable historic events taking place across the country. From thrilling family-friendly days out to relaxing guided walks, there's something for everyone!

  • Become a member

    As an English Heritage member you can delve far deeper into our history. Join today to get unlimited access to the spectacular places where history really happened.