Summer Days Out
Two children sit laughing in sunglasses and sunhats

Summer Days Out

Soak up the Great British Summer with all the family, with traditional fairground activities at English Heritage sites across the country.

Get up close to the action at our Knights' Tournaments and Legendary Jousts.

Spend a Sunday relaxing in beautfiful surroundings and enjoy live music throughout July and August.

Your summer bucket list starts here, with plenty of places to explore and enjoy.

Book ahead and you can save up to 25% on your tickets. Members get free entry.

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Great British summer savings

To help celebrate the Great British Summer, VAT on family days out has been cut from 20% to 5% until 1 September – and we’re passing on every penny of savings to you. The saving will be automatically applied when you check out.

And don’t forget, you get an extra 15% off tickets when you book in advance which means in total you can get up to 25% off the original price.

Your Great British Summer starts here

Find a Great British Summer Event near you
Two knights cross swords in combat at Kenilworth Castle

Knights' tournaments and legendary jousts

Get up close to the action as rival knights compete in the ultimate tests of strength and skill!

Get thee to a Knights’ Tournament to be transported to the front row of 13th century action as you watch four armoured knights and their squires clash in a series of gruelling rounds of medieval hand-to-hand combat.

Or, experience the exhilarating speed and skill of a Legendary Medieval Joust! Watch our fearless knights and their magnificent horses charge at each other at full speed in an unforgettable display. See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves and hear the roar of the crowd as reputations are won and lost in the competition for ultimate glory in the grand joust.

Find a joust or knights' tournament
Two people sat on a picnic blanket watching a band on a lawn.

Enjoy live music

Spend a Sunday in July and August relaxing and listening to live music in the beautiful surroundings of our historic houses and castles in England.

Join us on select sundays throughout Summer at:

A performer dressed in a black cloak as Dracula stands dramatically in front of Whitby Abbey ruins at night.

Watch Dracula at Whitby Abbey

Immerse yourself in the world of Dracula this summer at Whitby Abbey - the site that inspired it all.

From Saturday 25 July - Tue 1 September, enjoy our popular performer-led Dracula plays every Saturday to Tuesday, bringing the iconic story to life within the dramatic Abbey grounds.

Book your visit to Dracula at Whitby Abbey
Aerial view of a circular castle keep and old military buildings on a headland

20% off your summer staycation

Make the most of long summer days with 20%* off stays at some of our most unforgettable holiday cottages.

Enjoy a summer break steeped in history at The Bowling Green Apartment at Carisbrooke Castle, Peacock Cottage at Kirby Hall, The Custodian’s House or Callie’s Cottage at Pendennis Castle (pictured) and Fort House at St Mawes Castle.

Use the code SUMMERSUN when booking. Availability is limited, so early booking is recommended.

*Offer applies to new bookings only and is restricted to the five featured holiday cottages. Offer valid for stays between Fri 24 Jul – Mon 31 Aug 2026.

Find a holiday cottage

Plan fun days out this summer

We've got something for visitors of all ages at our sites this summer.

Plan the perfect summery day out. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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