Photo of a young child and an adult sitting in a deep pile of autumn leaves and laughing

Top 5 things to do in November

This November, we’ve got plenty of ideas for things to do and places to go, whether it's a reflective walk in the autumn colours, a thrilling fireworks display, or an afternoon on the sofa listening to our podcast.

Read on for more ideas...

Photo of six people sitting round a table and having a drink in the café at Wrest Park in the autumn

1. Enjoy the last of the autumn colours

The leaves are starting to fall off the trees, but there's still plenty of autumn colour around at our historic sites. 

Explore castles and abbeys nestled in golden woodland, see country houses swathed in morning mist and wander down winding paths ablaze with spectacular seasonal colour all around.

Why not go for a walk in one of our historic gardens to admire the autumn hues and then stop off for a hot drink in our cafés and tearooms? You're guaranteed a warm welcome...

Find things to do in autumn
Photo of colourful fireworks exploding in the night sky above Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire

2. Celebrate Bonfire Night with a bang

Remember, remember the night of 5 November 1605, when 36 barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden beneath the Palace of Westminster in London.

We'll be celebrating Bonfire Night with a spectacular fireworks display at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, with all profits going to local charities, worthy causes and community projects.

To get you in the mood, read about the history of Bonfire Night to find out who Guy Fawkes was and why fireworks are an important part of the celebrations.

Photo of a wreath of poppies laid against a large tree in the grounds of Marble Hill in London

3. Mark Remembrance Day at Marble Hill

11 November is Remembrance Day, when we remember those who have died in wars around the world.

Join us for a Remembrance Service at Marble Hill in London, which will be followed by a guided tour of the park, focusing on areas affected by bombings during the First and Second World Wars.

Wrest Park in Bedfordshire is also hosting an exhibition commemorating 80 years since the end of the Second World War and celebrating the people who worked there during that time.

You can also read about the history of the Cenotaph, the UK's national war memorial.

Photo of a large statue of Shaun The Sheep in front of Belsay Hall on a sunny day

4. Find the flock and make Christmas plans

November is definitely the time to start planning for Christmas, and there's a baaa-rilliant treat in store at our sites this festive season.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens and Wrest Park are each hosting twelve super-sized sculptures of Shaun the Sheep - and it's up to you to track them down! 

Once ewe’ve found the flock, you can toast marshmallows around the fire and get hands-on with Christmas crafts.

And there are loads more Christmas events to get stuck into, from meeting Father Christmas to wreath-making and Christmas carols.

Find a Christmas event
Photo of a double-page spread from The English Heritage Baking Book showing a recipe and illustration for a Victoria Sponge

5. Check out our podcast

Looking for something new to listen to?

In the English Heritage podcast, comedian and writer Amy Matthews brings you entertaining tales from unexpected places with the help of English Heritage experts and special guests.

This month, we'll be exploring the history of puddings, coinciding with the release of The English Heritage Baking Book.

We'll also be exploring Vermeer's The Guitar Player at Kenwood, which you can see for yourself at our Double Vision exhibition. 

Listen to the English Heritage podcast

The Month In History

  • Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was published on 24 November 1859. The work set out Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, the foundation of evolutionary biology. Much of Darwin's research was carried out at his family home, Down House.

  • Elizabeth I became queen of England on 17 November 1558. Elizabeth was the only English queen never to marry, despite having a string of noble suitors. One was the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley, who transformed Kenilworth Castle into a magnificent pleasure palace to impress her. The queen stayed at Kenilworth for 19 days of festivities in 1575.

  • On 18 November 1852, an extravagant procession and state funeral was held for the Duke of Wellington. The Duke's body was carried on a 10-tonne carriage made of bronze from cannons used at the Battle of Waterloo. It passed his home, Apsley House, and Wellington Arch before continuing to St Paul's Cathedral.

  • Rock legend and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury lost his battle with pneumonia on 24 November 1991. His family home in Feltham is commemorated with a blue plaque.

More to explore

  • Inspire Me

    We’ve handpicked our favourite articles, guides 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.

  • 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? Amy Matthews explores tales from unexpected places.

  • Become a member today

    Enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historical places with an annual membership. Plus there's free entry for up to six children! Memberships start from £42 a year.