Discover hidden talents with English Heritage this summer
Ever fancied trying your hand at being a chivalrous and daring knight? Does jesting look like a bit of fun – or a foolish pastime? English Heritage is encouraging families across the country to recover the forgotten skills of our past with hands-on summer events where children of all ages can learn everything from foolish etiquette to the lost art of chivalry. A range of workshops at some of English Heritage’s most popular historic properties offer a real day out worth talking about this summer. Fun for all the family is guaranteed and you might even learn a little bit of history in to the bargain!
Emily Burns, Head of Events says: “We have a wide range of events happening every single day of the summer holidays. Kids can get really stuck in and pick up some of the lost arts of our heritage, and of course they get to learn all about England’s fascinating history while they’re having fun!”
New for 2008 is Spy School where kids can pick up the tricks of the sleuthing trade by trying out some secret agent disguises or being put through their paces in the tricky spy assault course. For the joker in the class, Fool School lets everyone bring out their silly side and learn all about playing the clown with a range of fun tricks, tumbles and stage fighting. Or perhaps you’d rather practice courtly behaviour at the Prince and Princess School. Visitors can try out squire training, etiquette lessons and traditional dress - sure to impress the grandparents and teachers back at school!
The season of interactive events is hosted by professional re-enactors with years of experience in accurate historical interpretation and of course, each event is set in the grounds of one of English Heritage’s beautiful historic properties. Fun for all the family is guaranteed so come along to an English Heritage property near you and get hands-on with history. To find your nearest event, visit english-heritage.org.uk/schoolholidays.
Highlight events
East Midlands
KNIGHT SCHOOL
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Monday 4 - Friday 8 August, 11am – 4pm
What better way to learn the skills required of a medieval warrior than to get 'armoured up' for sword fighting lessons and join a mock battle in defence of the Realm! Ideal for children up to 12 years.
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £5.60/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
ROBIN HOOD WEEK
Bolsover Castle Derbyshire
Monday 11 – Friday 15 August, 11am – 4pm
Robin Hood was one of the most famous figures in the East Midlands. This week we pay homage to him with a variety of games and activities. Learn how to be the perfect outlaw, see bow and arrow demonstrations and even take part in a mini siege on Nottingham Castle!
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £5.60/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
FOOL SCHOOL
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Monday 18 - Friday 22 August, 11am – 4pm
Are you silly enough to take part in our foolish workshops? Try some juggling and diabolo, learn about ‘fool-ish etiquette’ and try your hand at a little stage fighting with English Heritage's very own Fool.
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £5.60/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
West Midlands
FOOL SCHOOL
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Monday 21 July - Friday 25 July, 11am – 5pm
Are you silly enough to take part in our foolish workshops? Learn about ‘fool-ish etiquette’ and try your hand at a little stage fighting with English Heritage's very own Fool.
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
KNIGHT SCHOOL
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Monday 28 July - Friday 1 August, 11am – 5pm
What better way to learn the skills required of a medieval warrior than to get 'armoured up' for battle, have sword fighting lessons and participate in a mock battle in defence of the Realm!
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
FOOL SCHOOL
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Monday 4 August - Friday 8 August, 11am – 5pm
Are you silly enough to take part in our foolish workshops? Learn about ‘fool-ish etiquette’ and try your hand at a little stage fighting with English Heritage's very own Fool.
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
SPY SCHOOL
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Monday 11 August – Friday 15 August, 11am – 5pm
Join in with activities and tasks and learn the secret techniques to become a spy.
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
KNIGHT SCHOOL
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
Monday 18 August - Friday 22 August
What better way to learn the skills required of a medieval warrior than to get 'armoured up' for battle, have sword-fighting lessons and participate in a mock battle in defence of the Realm!
Prices: Adults £6.20/ Concessions £5.00/ Children £3.10/ Family Ticket £15.50
English Heritage Members: Free
East of England
VICTORIAN GAMES AND INVENTIONS
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Wednesday 30 July – Sunday 3 August, 11am – 5pm
Join us at this family event for a traditional day out with a twist! Take a trip back in time to try your hand at all kinds of Victorian games. Why not make your own toy to take home or sit inside a recreated Victorian camera. Wander around the working heart of this estate in the newly opened Service Wing - meet the characters as they're busily working away and hear about their lives in this grand country home.
Prices: Adults £10.50/ Concessions £8.40/ Children £5.30/ Family Ticket £26.30
English Heritage Members: Free
KNIGHT SCHOOL
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Monday 4 August – Friday 8 August, 11am – 5pm
What better way to learn the skills required of a medieval warrior than to get 'armoured up' for sword-fighting lessons and join a mock battle in defence of the Realm! Ideal for children up to 12 years.
Prices: £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free
FOOL SCHOOL
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Monday 11 August – Friday 15 August, 11am – 5pm
Are you silly enough to take part in our foolish workshops? Try some juggling and diabolo, learn about 'fool-ish etiquette' and try your hand at a little stage fighting with English Heritage's very own Fool.
Prices: Adults £5.50/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £13.80
English Heritage Members: Free
South East
TIME TRAVELLERS ACADEMY
Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 August, 10am – 5pm
Have you ever wanted to know if you would have made it as a gladiator – or if you could have made royalty laugh with your jester antics? Well now is you chance. Travel back in time and have fun discovering some of the skills and tricks of the trade of historic characters from the past. Suitable for children aged between 4-14 years old.
Prices: Adults £10.30/ Concessions £8.20/ Children £5.20/ Family Ticket £25.80
English Heritage Members: Free
MEDIEVAL BOOT CAMP
Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
Sunday 3 & Monday 4 August, 10am – 5pm
Can you imagine what it would have been like living in medieval times? Come and find out as you feel the weight of real armour, pretend to be Robin Hood at the have-a-go archery and get put through your paces in the children’s drill. Make your own medieval shield and play traditional games. The whole family will love the have-a-go music and dance as the medieval era comes to life!
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.20/ Children £3.30/ Family Ticket £16.50
English Heritage Members: Free
Yorkshire
HANDS ON HISTORY CREW – KNIGHT AND PRINCESS SCHOOL
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Monday 28 - Thursday 31 July, 11am – 5pm
A week of hands-on activities and crafts for all the family, with a medieval theme. Squire training, etiquette, storytelling, arts and crafts and dressing up sessions throughout the day with our very own Hands on History Crew.
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concession £3.20/ Children £2.00/ Family Ticket £10.00
English Heritage Members: Free
HANDS ON HISTORY CREW – KNIGHT AND PRINCESS SCHOOL
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Monday 4 - Thursday 7 August, 11am – 5pm
A week of hands on activities and crafts for all the family, with a medieval theme. Squire training, etiquette, storytelling, arts and crafts and dressing up sessions throughout the day with our very own Hands on History Crew.
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concession £3.20/ Children £2.00/ Family Ticket £10.00
English Heritage Members: Free
HANDS ON HISTORY CREW – KNIGHT AND PRINCESS SCHOOL
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Monday 11 - Thursday 14 August, 11am – 5pm
A week of hands-on activities and crafts for all the family, with a medieval theme. Discover life in medieval England with squire training, etiquette, storytelling, arts and crafts and dressing up sessions throughout the day with our very own Hands on History Crew.
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concession £3.20/ Children £2.00/ Family Ticket £10.00
English Heritage Members: Free
HANDS ON HISTORY CREW – KNIGHT AND PRINCESS SCHOOL
Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Monday 18 - Thursday 21 August, 11am – 5pm
A week of hands-on activities and crafts for all the family, with a medieval theme. Discover life in medieval England with squire training, etiquette, storytelling, arts and crafts and dressing up sessions throughout the day with our very own Hands on History Crew.
Prices: Adults £4.00/ Concession £3.20/ Children £2.00/ Family Ticket £10.00
English Heritage Members: Free
