Three children jump in the air holding hands wearing Halloween costumes on a foggy day.

Family Days Out

Enjoy a family day out this autumn.

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

Join us at Battle Abbey this weekend and witness the Battle of Hastings re-enactment. It's the perfect day out for all the family.

With Halloween around the corner, gather your little monsters over half-term andat historic places across England for the Great Pumpkin Party.

You can even get ahead and book your Christmas days out. Don't miss a visit to meet Father Christmas!

SEARCH FOR FAMILY DAYS OUT

Photo of historical re-enactors dressed as medieval soldiers on horseback and charging at the Battle of Hastings re-enactment

The Battle of Hastings

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October

960 years since the Battle of Hastings took place, the one and only re-enactment returns.

On the very spot where King Harold and Duke William fought in 1066, over 500 re-enactors will recreate the drama and intensity of this legendary conflict - and you can see it first-hand.

Book tickets for The Battle of Hastings
Photo of two people silhouetted against the sun in the autumn gardens of Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire

Days out this Autumn

Autumn’s the perfect time to take a closer look at historic sites, with the colours of trees changing and the sun getting lower in the sky.

Whether you’re looking for autumnal days out, the perfect historical place to visit or beautiful gardens to enjoy a seasonal walk, there’s plenty to discover.

Plus, don't miss our fantastic events for Halloween and Diwali.

Plan your autumn days out
A woman laughs with a young girl wearing a witch's hat

Halloween Half-Term

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens this October half-term.

Join the Great Pumpkin Party as we celebrate the season with family activities and entertainment. There'll be interactive storytelling and spooky games, as well as a themed trail and a seasonal selfie spot around the site.

And it wouldn't be Halloween without costumes, so don't forget to come dressed for the occasion. Join in the daily fancy dress competition and you might just win a prize.

Included with general admission. Book early and save 15%. Members go free.

Find a Halloween event near you
Father Christmas gives out presents to two children in the Gatehouse at Kenilworth Castle.

Plan your Christmas Days Out

Unwrap history this Christmas and enjoy a magical day out.

Whether you're starting a new tradition or reliving an old favourite, you'll find plenty of seasonal cheer and things to do this Christmas.

Take the kids to meet Father Christmas, enjoy Festive Fun in beautiful historic surroundings and follow the Walking with The Snowman™ Trail.

Find a Christmas event
A boy climbs a rope ladder in Stokesay Castle's play area while a girl stands behind.

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, including the new playgrounds at Audley End, House and Gardens and Stokesay Castle.

Find a playground near you
Three children jump from a hill next to Kenilworth Castle with their hands in the air.

5-star membership. Explore over 400 historic sites

Join today and enjoy unlimited historic days out across over 400 sites for the entire year and with free kids entry, there’s no better time to join and start making new memories all year round.

Plus your support for us as a charity means you're helping to protect heritage sites for generations to come.

Join today

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

More to Explore

  • Seasonal highlights

    Autumn’s the perfect time to take a closer look at historic sites, with the colours of trees changing and the sun getting lower in the sky.

  • What's On

    Make the most of the longer, lighter days with lots of fun things to do across the country.

  • 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.