Three young children dressed in Halloween costumes hold hands and jump together with fog in the background.

Inspire Me

We’ve handpicked our favourite articles, events and stories to inspire your next day out.

Find out what's new in our historic gardens, flick through the latest travel guides and read about seasonal scenic walks. Your next adventure starts here...

Discover what's on this Halloween at our historic sites across the county.

Image: little girl dressed as a witch at Bolsover Castle

What's on this Halloween

Find ghoulishly great-value days out at our Halloween events taking place across the country.

Discover Halloween events near you
Whitby Abbey lit up with bright green and pink lights at night.

Illuminated Whitby Abbey

This Halloween, Whitby Abbey will once again come to life with dramatic after-dark illuminations and spooky goings-on for everybody to enjoy.

 

The abbey’s Gothic ruins are famous for inspiring Bram Stoker’s Dracula, so there’s no better time to explore them – especially after night falls.

Book tickets to Whitby Illuminated
Photo of a plate of small, round, biscuit-like soul cakes on a table next to some pumpkins

The History of Soul Cakes

Back in the Middle Ages, you would receive a 'soul cake', a small, round, oat-based, biscuit-like cake and in return you'd say prayers for the salvation of souls languishing in purgatorial pain.

 

Senior Properties Historian Dr Michael Carter explores the tradition of soul cakes and their link with Halloween.

 

This article includes a recipe taken from the English Heritage Baking Book.

Read the article
Image: a view of Whitby Abbey

Dracula: how a Victorian vampire is inspiring blood donations this Halloween

Katie Dabin, Keeper of Medicine at the Science Museum, investigates how Bram Stoker's Dracula took inspiration from the fascinating history of blood transfusion.

Read the article

The English Heritage Podcast

Every object has a story to tell. But how can one mystery item lead us on a journey through history, people and places? 

In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places. Each week, we begin with a mystery item and with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests, Amy explores what our past can tell us about our present and perhaps our future.

Listen now

Relax this autumn

Put on your headphones and relax to the ambient sights and sounds from a selection of our historic sites across the country, or cozy up by a historic fireplace.

  • BRODSWORTH HALL AND GARDENS

  • PENDENNIS CASTLE

  • WITLEY COURT AND GARDENS

History for Kids

Are you ready to go back – way back – in time to learn all about England’s history? Discover what life was like in the past through fun facts, illustrated stories, games, crafts and more.