Things to Do

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN APRIL

This April, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you to step into history.

Go on an egg-cellent adventure, discover Members' Week and celebrate St George's Day. Read on to discover fascinating people, must-see places and captivating videos.

1. Have an egg-cellent Easter

Embrace the Easter spirit and discover the origins of many Easter traditions with our articles on how the date of Easter was determined, the reasons why we eat eggs at Easter and the history of chocolate.

The Easter holidays are the perfect time to get out and about, exploring fascinating historical places and bringing England’s past to life for the whole family. Our exciting Easter Adventure Quests will be returning to over 30 sites across the country. Gather your family to hunt for clues around the sites, track down the hidden Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat. If construction is more your thing, why not come along to one of our LEGO® Brick Build events happening at several of our biggest sites.

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2. Join Members' Week

Members’ Week is back! As a special thank you to our members we're delighted to host a week jam-packed with activities, discounts and prizes, supported by Riviera Travel.

Running from the 6 - 14 April, our members can enjoy a full week of exclusive free events across the country, alongside virtual events to enjoy from home. There will also be a 20% discount in our cafes and shops, and if you can’t make it to one of our events, you can share your love for your favourite historic places by bringing a friend for free when you visit.

Bookings are exclusive to Members and are open now, so why not become a Member and enjoy more than 200 free events both on-site and online.

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3. Explore spring gardens

Every spring our gardens come to life with beautiful seasonal flowers, and April is the ideal time to explore these stunning gardens. Enjoy delicate snowdrops, spring daffodils and vibrant blossoms at some of the best historic gardens England has to offer.

Our outdoor play areas are ideal for making the most of the warmer weather and for giving your little adventurers the chance to burn off their extra energy. And our top tearooms Don’t forget to stop off at one of our top tearooms for a tasty treat!

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4. Celebrate St George's Day

This year St George’s Day (23 April) falls on a Tuesday. Join us the weekend before for the biggest, most action-packed St George’s Day celebrations in the country.

On Saturday 20 to Sunday 21 Wrest Park will be transformed with this year’s festivities, hosting a weekend of shows, battles, games, performances and activities for the family. Children can train to be knights of the realm and try on armour, have a go at archery and attend sword school. The event culminates in an epic showdown between St George and his fiery nemesis.

But who was the man behind the legend of St George? And how would medieval people have viewed dragons? Find out more in our articles on the origins of dragons and 9 things you didn’t know about St George.

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5. Learn on the go

Looking for a new podcast to liven up the morning commute? Step into England’s history with The English Heritage Podcast and join presenter Charles Rowe as we bring the history of our sites to life, with news, views and expert interviews. There’s something for everyone, whatever your interests and you can browse by a wide range of themes, including food history, medieval monastic life, and blue plaque biographies.

Check out our list of the top twenty most-listened-to podcasts, which include: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Secrets of the Knights Templar, and Hadrian's Wall - the Man behind the Wall.

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The month in history

  • Sir Robert Walpole became the first British Prime Minister on 3 April 1721. His former London address is marked by a joint blue plaque shared with this son Horace Walpole, a Man of Letters and noted connoisseur.
  • The largest earthquake recorded in England hit the Dover Strait on 6 April 1580, collapsing a section of Dover Castle’s exterior wall.
  • Rosalind Franklin, a pioneer in the study of molecular structures (including DNA), died on 16 April 1958. A blue plaque marks Franklin's Chelsea home where she lived between 1951 and 1958.
  • Writer Bram Stoker, who wrote the literary classic Count Dracula, died on 20 April 1912 at the age of 65. The novel features Whitby Abbey and it was during a trip to Whitby in 1890 that Stoker found a name for his famous vampire.
  • At the age of 17, a youthful Henry VIII succeeded his father Henry VII as King of England on 21 April 1509. Driven by fears of invasion by Catholic Europe, he went on to build more than 30 coastal forts between 1539 and 1547, including Pendennis and St Mawes in Cornwall, and Walmer and Deal in Kent.

More to Explore

  • Inspire Me

    Our historic sites offer something for everyone. Here we have gathered some of our favourite features, events and things to do to inspire your next visit.

  • THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST

    Join presenter Charles Rowe as we bring the history of our sites to life with news, views and expert interviews across over 150 episodes.

  • 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.