Things to Do
A man leans on two wooden deck chairs next to two children eating ice-creams in the gardens at Audley End.

Top 5 Things To Do In August

Get ready for a fun-filled August everyone can enjoy!

Join us for family-friendly activities and have the perfect Great British Summer, get up close to the action at Knights' Tournaments and Legendary Jousts, get Stonehenge all to yourself and, this August, get 25% off English Heritage membership.

To celebrate the Great British Summer, VAT on family days out is cut from 20% to 5% until 1 September, passing every penny of the savings on to you. So now is the perfect time to take a trip to somewhere new or revisit an old favourite.

Read on to find out more...

Two people on horseback take part in a re-enactment Joust on a green in front of crowds of people.

1. Enter the World of Knights this August

Witness our live-action Legendary Jousts and gallant medieval knights battle it out to be crowned champion. See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves, and hear the roar of the crowd as reputations are won and lost.

Be transported to the front row in our Knights' Tournaments as knights and squires clash in a series of gruelling rounds of medieval hand-to-hand combat. You can even catch expert falconers in our Falconry Displays.

Find a Knights event near you
Two children smile and shout while sitting on deck chairs.

2. Discover the Joy of a Great British Summer

Bust the boredom this summer by trying your hand at traditional fairground games, master new tricks and circus skills and enjoy plenty of puppet-themed fun along the way.

There are lots of different things to see and do at each site so check each event listings to find out more.

Don't forget to make the most of our Kids Eat Free offer while you visit.

Find a Great British Summer Event
A view of Stonehenge underneath a clear blue sky in the morning.

3. Have Stonehenge to yourself

Every day throughout August, we are giving one lucky visitor exclusive, private access to the stone circle.

If you book an advance ticket to visit Stonehenge in August you will be entered into a daily prize draw. Each day’s winner, along with their party, will be given private time inside the prehistoric stone circle, with no other visitors present. 

To make the morning even more special, the winners can also enjoy a breakfast roll and a hot drink after their private visit.

Everybody who books a ticket at least 72 hours in advance is entered into the draw, there's no need to do anything extra. See the full terms and conditions.

Book your visit to Stonehenge to enter
A man and a woman sit side by side on the grass listening to a live band.

4. Relax with Live Music This August

Throughout August, enjoy laid-back Sundays filled with great live performances at some of England's most beautiful castles and historic houses.

Find your favourite spot on the lawn, settle in with family or friends, and enjoy an afternoon of music surrounded by centuries of history.

With delicious refreshments available from our cafés, all you need to bring is a blanket, a chair and a love of live music.

Find a place to listen to Sunday Music
A side on view of the front of a red brick holiday cottage at Audley End with a wooden table and chairs positioned outside of a large wooden door.

5. Plan a summer getaway

Looking to book a last-minute summer holiday? Why not try a staycation visiting spectacular historic sites that are right on your doorstep!

Our regional travel guides will help you plan a memorable summer holiday at England's most iconic places. They're packed with ideas of historic sites to visit, things to see and do, places to stay and practical advice for getting around.

You can also get 25% off selected holiday stays until 31 August with our Summer Getaway offer too. Availability is limited, so early booking is recommended.

Take a look at our travel guides
A young woman, man and three children walk in front of a large country house

Become a member with 25% off

Enjoy 25% off a year of unforgettable days out when you become a member this summer. Use code EHSUM26 and enjoy a Great British Summer with free unlimited entry for you and up to six kids to over 400 historic sites including Stonehenge, Dover Castle and Hadrian's Wall.

Join today

The month in history

  • The bacteriologist Sir Alexander Fleming was born on 6 August 1881. Best known for discovering penicillin, the Scottish scientist moved to London to study and lived at 20a Danvers Street in Chelsea, where he's commemorated by a blue plaque. 
  • Dame Helen Gwynne-Vaughan died on 26 August 1967 aged 88. She was a prominent English botanist and is recognised for her significant contributions to military and public service. Her London home for almost 50 years is marked by a blue plaque.
  • The composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor was born on 15 August 1875. He is best remembered for The Song of Hiawatha, and was the first black recipient of a blue plaque. You can visit the plaque on his former home at 30 Dagnall Park, South Norwood.
  • On 17 August 1836 HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin on board, began its long voyage back to England from Brazil. You can visit Darwin's home Down House, Kent.
  • Painter Thomas Gainsborough died on 2 August 1788. His portrait of Mary, Countess Howe can be seen at Kenwood, alongside famous works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Reynolds.
  • Architect and landscape gardener Joseph Paxton, who designed the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851, was born on 3 August 1803.

More to explore

  • Seasonal highlights

    Summer is here! With expansive lawns, shady woodlands and beautiful gardens, now's the perfect time to visit historic places across the country.

  • 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!