Escape to an English Heritage property for festive fun
Why not leave the crowded high streets behind and experience festive fun with a twist? Whether visitors are making the most of the ‘Month of Misrule’ at Dover Castle, Kent, being entertained by the royal falconers at Battle Abbey, East Sussex, or celebrating Nadelik a Pendennis Castle in Cornwall, there is an English Heritage event to suit every family.
Celebrate this Yule-tide with English Heritage’s cheery array of events hosted at some of their most spectacular properties across the UK.
For an extra festive treat, keen shoppers can enjoy Christmas shopping at a more relaxed pace in some of England’s most stunning locations at English Heritage’s special shopping weekends. Take advantage of a 10% discount on exclusive English Heritage gifts and decorations, including handcrafted glassware, children’s costumes and historic cookery books.
From carol concerts to festive reindeer trails, there are events to suit every family’s needs. So, wherever you are this Christmas, just log on to english-heritage.org.uk to find your nearest event.
FESTIVE LUNCH AND TOUR AT DOVER CATSLE
Dover Castle
Every Thursday – Monday throughout December
Enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch in the unique setting of Dover Castle then take an inclusive tour of the Great Tower and discover how King Henry II and his court celebrated the medieval festive season. With blazing log fires and castle chambers dressed with sumptuous tapestries, experience the atmosphere of a medieval royal court in winter.
Prices: Adults £20 (includes site entry, lunch and tour)
English Heritage Members: £15 (includes site entry, lunch and tour)
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Gardens, Warwickshire
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December, 10am – 4pm
A magical weekend to help get you into the Christmas spirit! Enjoy tall Christmas tales in the Gatehouse with our resident storyteller and hands-on craft activities in the basement. Then get the whole family together to help search; the hunt for Christmas has begun! Follow the trail of clues around the castle to claim your festive treat from one of the little helpers!
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £6.00/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December, 10am – 4pm
A magical weekend to help get you into the Christmas spirit! Enjoy Christmas tales, craft activities, a fun family Christmas trail and a chance to purchase a few special gifts.
Prices: Adults £5.70/ Concessions £4.80/ Children £2.90/ Family Ticket £14.30
English Heritage Members: Free
A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am – 4pm
A Victorian Christmas is brought to life this yuletide in the Service Wing and Gardens at Audley End. Be entertained by our performers and feel the festive atmosphere as the servants work hard at Christmas preparations. Enjoy carol singing and seasonal arts and crafts, as well as tales, trails and goodies in the tea room!
Prices: Adults £9.00/ Concessions £7.60/ Children £4.50/ Family £22.50
English Heritage Members: Free
Booking essential
J’ADORE CHRISTMAS JEWELLERY SHOW
Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December
Choose that perfect Christmas present for yourself or someone special as designer jewellers, silver and goldsmiths and creators of fine accessories gather in the beautiful State Rooms. A perfect day out for browsing and shopping!
Prices: Adults £5.20/ Concessions £4.40/ Children £2.60
English Heritage Members: Adults £2.60/ Concessions £2.20/ Children £1.30
THE CHRISTMAS KING
Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 December, 10am – 4pm
Visit the Great Tower this December and enter a world of topsy-turvy! Stand for election and have the chance to be crowned Christmas King for the day! Enjoy festive merrymaking with music and storytelling as you meet the colourful characters who resided in the casle. Also learn about the traditions of a medieval Christmas court and how King Henry II and his royal subjects celebrated the festive season.
Adult: £13.40/ Children: £6.70/ Concession: £11.40/ Family Ticket: £33.50
English Heritage Members: Free
FESTIVE FALCONRY
1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
Saturday 12 December – Sunday 13 December, 10am – 4pm
Join ‘Raphael Falconry’ as they re-create the role of royal falconers and hawkers at Christmastime in Plantagenet England. Learn how hawks were trained to catch specific birds and animals for the royal table. Plus, learn about the seasonal traditions of medieval falconers and the history of some of our most popular Christmas birds.
Prices: Adults £6.70/ Concessions £5.70/ Children £3.40/ Family Ticket £16.80
English Heritage Members: Free
CHRISTMAS CHOIRS
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
Saturday 12 December – Sunday 13 December, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Christmas comes but once a year – so join us to indulge in past traditions. Experience Brodsworth's festive spirit and uncover a treasure trove of unusual gifts.
Prices: Adults £10.00/ Concessions £8.00/ Children £8.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £8.00/ Concessions £8.00/ Children £8.00
Booking essential
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Gardens, Warwickshire
Saturday 12 December – Sunday 13 December, 10am – 4pm
A magical weekend to help get you into the Christmas spirit! Enjoy tall Christmas tales in the Gatehouse with our resident storyteller and hands-on craft activities in the basement. Then get the whole family together to help search; the hunt for Christmas has begun! Follow the trail of clues around the castle to claim your festive treat from one of the little helpers!
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £6.00/ Children £3.50/ Family Ticket £17.50
English Heritage Members: Free
CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Saturday 12 December – Sunday 13 December, 10am – 4pm
A magical weekend to help get you into the Christmas spirit! Enjoy Christmas tales, craft activities, a fun family Christmas trail and a chance to purchase a few special gifts.
Prices: Adults £5.70/ Concessions £4.80/ Children £2.90/ Family Ticket £14.30
English Heritage Members: Free
MONTH OF MISRULE: THE CHRISTMAS KING
Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 Dec, 10am – 4pm
Visit the Great Tower this December and enter a world of topsy-turvy! Stand for election and have the chance to be crowned Christmas King for the day! Enjoy festive merrymaking with music and storytelling as you meet the colourful characters who resided in the casle. Also learn about the traditions of a medieval Christmas court and how King Henry II and his royal subjects celebrated the festive season.
Adult: £13.40/ Children: £6.70/ Concession: £11.40/ Family Ticket: £33.50
English Heritage Members: Free
CHRISTMAS CHOIRS
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
Saturday 19 December – Sunday 20 December, 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Christmas comes but once a year – so join us to indulge in past traditions. Experience Brodsworth's festive spirit and uncover a treasure trove of unusual gifts.
Prices: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £7.00/ Children £7.00
English Heritage Members: Adults £7.00/ Concessions £7.00/ Children £7.00
Booking essential
THE CHRISTMAS KING
Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 December, 10am – 4pm
Visit the Great Tower this December and enter a world of topsy-turvy! Stand for election and have the chance to be crowned Christmas King for the day! Enjoy festive merrymaking with music and storytelling as you meet the colourful characters who resided in the casle. Also learn about the traditions of a medieval Christmas court and how King Henry II and his royal subjects celebrated the festive season.
Adult: £13.40/ Children: £6.70/ Concession: £11.40/ Family Ticket: £33.50
English Heritage Members: Free
NADELIK
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Sunday 20 December, 11am – 4pm
Join us at Pendennis Castle to celebrate Christmas the Cornish way. Visitors can expect a truly Cornish welcome as we embrace all of the best traditions and trimmings from Christmas past with mince pies, mulled wine, Christmas lights, carol singers and fireside tales; this event couldn’t fail to make even scrooge smile!
Prices: Adults £5.70/ Concessions £4.80/ Children £2.90/ Family Ticket £14.30
English Heritage Members: Free
OLIVER TWIST
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
Tuesday 29 December – Thursday 31 December, Performances at 11am and 2pm
Using song and mirth, 'Oliver Twist' will brighten any cold winter’s day. This show takes us through Dickens' classic novel making it easily accessible for young and old alike.
Prices: Adults £6.50/ Concessions £5.50/ Children £3.30/ Family Ticket £16.30
English Heritage Members: Free
MONTH OF MISRULE: TWELFTH KNIGHT
Sun 27 & Mon 28 December 2009, & Saturday 2 – Monday 4 January 2010, taking place twice daily (morning and afternoon) Dover Castle
Site open 10am – 4pm
Costumed characters: 10:30am – 15:30pm
After Christmas, the spirit of misrule continues at Dover Castle when King Henry II calls upon brave new knights to defend his realm. Kids will learn the etiquette of medieval court life as they progress between the different ranks – first Page, then Squire and finally Knight!
Adult: £13.40/ Children: £6.70/ Concession: £11.40/ Family Ticket: £33.50
English Heritage Members: Free
