It’s the summer of fun: time to explore, imagine and create your own adventures at our sites
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Join us throughout the summer and create memories that last a lifetime
For many people, the summer holidays are a treasured time to spend with family and friends. For some, that means a picnic and games in a lovely setting. Others prefer the adventure of conquering a castle, or wandering through the ruins of a Roman town. As a child, that was my favourite.
These playful days stay with you. And we’re delighted that our heritage sites around the country help to shape these memories.
This summer, we’ve supercharged our programme of events to keep members of all ages – and interests – entertained. Along with medieval jousts and falconry displays, our summer of play includes archery, den building and sword school at
selected sites around the country (p61). We’ll also be encouraging families to enter a series of challenges inspired by the TV show Taskmaster. You’ll need the right combination of skill and silliness, but it promises to be great fun (p32). And with our special meal deal, kids eat free at all our sites. Elsewhere, we’re unveiling new artworks at Kenilworth Castle and Witley Court, while Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits is at Kenwood until October. We look forward to your visits and thank you for your support.
Dr Nick Merriman Chief Executive
Romance remains in the air at Kenilworth Castle, 450 years after Queen Elizabeth I’s lavish visit
Playing is all part of growing up –and our sites have all sorts of spaces for kids to let loose and learn
Fun challenges inspired by Taskmaster arrive at 17 English Heritage sites 37 Restful retreats
Take a step back in time to discover our havens of tranquility, providing calm in a chaotic world 44
Home and away
Planning a staycation? Our handy guide will help you find the heritage sites to meet your holiday needs 50 Take it outside
Savour the tradition of outdoor dining with our exclusive recipes
camera that brings the lives of two servants at Brodsworth Hall into
Jousts, falconry, family
Fill your summer with fun and discovery
Volunteer voices Martin Scrowther on keeping the blooms beautiful around Beeston Castle’s cafe
Beeston Castle’s cafe
Art alert
Two of London’s finest art collections are showcasing major works this summer.
At Kenwood, Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits reveals a fuller picture of the American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats in the late 19thearly 20th century. Marking the centenary of John Singer Sargent’s death, the exhibition features 18 portraits – with loans from institutions in Washington, Boston and Houston as well as some from private collections that have never before been on display. It recognises women such as Dame Jessie Wilton Phipps and Mary Crowninshield Endicott Chamberlain.
Apsley House is displaying the 1st Duke of Wellington’s Dutch paintings as a group. Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits, Kenwood, London. To 5 October 2025. Free for members but book at englishheritage.org.uk/kenwoodheiress-exhibition. Wellington’s Dutch Masterpieces, Apsley House, London. To December 2025. Go to english-heritage. org.uk/apsley-masterpieces
Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits is supported by The Friends of the Iveagh Bequest, Kenwood, the American Friends of English Heritage, the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and the London Historic Houses Museum Trust, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, Rockefeller Capital Management, Gregory and Melissa Fleming, L.K. Barnes, Mark King, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, The Sargent Circle and other generous supporters.
Amy Matthews
Comedian, writer and presenter of the new English Heritage podcast
‘I’d describe the podcast as an audio cabinet of curiosities. I’m joined by English Heritage experts and guests to explore an item from English Heritage’s collection. We start with the story of the people who used it, then look at what that meant for its place in English heritage. Then we look at how it relates to the present day. That’s the joy of history, isn’t it?
So far, we’ve explored how the herring industry connects to working women’s rights, how Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings was a pioneer of the skyscraper, and the in uence of Chinese wallpapers at Wrest Park.
Scan the QR code to subscribe
I got lost in the intricate detail and cra of the wallpaper designs at Wrest Park. The narratives in the panoramas are at eye level so you can sit and read the images. But then you also notice markings made by soldiers who were recovering there during the First World War. You’re engaging with one period in history and then suddenly you’re in another.
If I could chat to one guest from history? Samuel Pepys. I’ve read his diaries. It’s an account of daily life in 17th-century London, but there are entries where what he’s talking about could have happened yesterday and feel just as relevant.’ Listen to all episodes on your favourite podcast platforms, or scan the QR code above to subscribe.
3The summer of fun
This summer, we’re all about helping friends and families tap into memory-making adventures at our amazing heritage sites.
First, we’re bringing endish challenges to 17 sites in the shape of our new collaboration with Taskmaster (p32). You’ll take part in hilarious challenges that test creativity and problem-solving.
For younger visitors, try one of our Folktale Creature Trails (p63) where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends. We’ve also got a busy programme of music concerts, medieval tournaments and falconry displays (p62-63).
Of course, you can make the most of your free parking to visit with a picnic, ball and pack of cards. Our gardens and green landscapes are beautful locations to spend an a ernoon together. Make up your own games or let the kids loose at a range of other activities, such as a kids’ dig at Stonehenge, dinosaur hunting at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens and circus skills at Scarborough Castle. Remember, kids eat free and they can pick up a collectible pop badge to mark their visit.
To see the full range of events, where they’re taking place and to book, go to english-heritage.org.uk/whats-on
Elizabeth I: a new perspective
To mark the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth’s I’s historic visit to Kenilworth Castle, a new creative work gives a fresh perspective on the relationship between the queen and Robert Dudley.
The sculptural installation –on display in the Great Hall from 9 July to 31 October – is the work of British artist Lindsey Mendick (right).
Dudley laid on a series of extravagant entertainments for Elizabeth during her 19-day stay –known as the ‘Princely Pleasures’ – including the Station of Sibilla, where a prophetess predicted
the queen’s fate. Inspired by this performance, Mendick’s installation depicts a group of Sibyls – including Elizabeth’s mother, Anne Boleyn –who issue warnings to Elizabeth, referencing the power struggles that characterised her reign.
‘Women’s histories have often been written by those in power, by those they threaten and by those who need their tale to be a cautionary one,’ says Lindsey. ‘For this artwork, I’ll re-examine the events of Elizabeth’s visit from the perspective of a female gaze.’
Book online
For more details about the artwork and how to book, go to englishheritage.org.uk/ kenilworth
Artist Lindsey Mendick is renowned for her dramatic installations
Storytelling talent
Green gold awards
We’re thrilled that three of our sites – Carisbrooke Castle, Walmer Castle and Mount Grace Priory –have been awarded Green Tourism Gold certi cation, with another four sites securing Silver accreditation. Scores are marked on achievements across 15 sustainability goals – one being evidence of biodiversity education and activities at our sites.
At Carisbrooke Castle we’ve added signage highlighting the castle’s resident bats, our gardener’s
In March, the winners of our Animated Histories online lm festival enjoyed a showcase event at Aardman Studios in Bristol. The youngsters took part in a workshop with a professional animator and were treated to a guided tour of the studios followed by a screening of their animations.
Winner George Cook (le ) was chosen by Aardman Academy for from Aardman and English
Winner George Cook (le ) was chosen by Aardman Academy and English Heritage for his lm From the Sun, You Fell, inspired by the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus. He’ll get support from Aardman and English Heritage to develop a lm inspired by our sites and stories.
Appeal appreciation
Watch the lms: shoutoutloud.org. uk/animated-histories-the-winners
‘Plant of the week’ chalkboard, new horticultural garden tours, and events centred around the Big Garden Birdwatch, the Big Butter y Count and The Great Big Green Week.
At Walmer Castle (below), we run ‘Plot to Plate’ courses for schoolchildren, which take a look at what is grown in the kitchen garden, while our popular nature tours at Scarborough Castle help visitors spot wild owers and wildlife – the headland is also a great place to spot dolphins.
Your generous support continues to help us make the most of our million and more objects. We have invested in documenting archaeological collections from sites such as Aldborough Roman town, Ludgershall Castle and Berwick Barracks.
At Fountains Abbey, your support has enabled us to engage a specialist architectural historian to unpick the abbey’s rich building history.
A specialist at Corbridge has catalogued almost 600 pieces of Roman glass while Appeal funds have enabled volunteers to photograph 1,300 of those pieces.
Our work also brings objects into public focus.
At Great Yarmouth, the Row House collections have been successfully returned and re-displayed a er a major conservation project. Your support has helped to fund research, such as the investigation of a portrait, possibly of Lady Jane Grey, at Wrest Park as well as work to identify England’s last wolf.
To read about our objects and to support our Appeal, go to english-heritage.org. uk/millionandmore
Interior inspiration
Have you ever wished you could colour match your living room with the rich, opulent tones of the interiors of Eltham Palace? Or maybe the blue hue of Kenwood’s entrance hall has got you thinking about your own hallway? If so, grab your brushes.
Paint specialist Graphenstone has created a collection of 24 new colours inspired by the interiors and architecture at such design classics as Kenwood, Marble Hill, Wrest Park and Eltham Palace.
The collection is a collaboration with English Heritage and was created using scanned data and references from original wallpapers, fabrics, furniture and paints. There’s even a warm grey inspired by the pet lemur at Eltham Palace.
Cra ed using natural, mineralbased, breathable materials, the paints are durable and provide excellent coverage – something to consider if your project is on the scale of a country house. And for every litre tin you buy, a proportion of the proceeds will go to English Heritage to help our charitable work. Members can get a 15% discount. Quote EH152025 when ordering.
Tales from the takeaway
‘You give us the ingredients of your words, our poet chefs then cook them and serve as a personalised poem that’s ready wrapped to take away.’ So says Michael Bolger, founder of the Poetry Takeaway. Bolger and his team of poets have been roaming the country in a converted burger van talking to people about their lives and loves. ‘The mobile emporium makes poetry accessible, no matter your age or background,’ he says. Recently, the poets visited English Heritage sites such as Temple Church in Bristol and Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire. ‘The project is part of our Inspiring Voices poetry programme that aims to bring people together to explore England’s heritage,’ says Ruth Hancock, Interpretation Manager, North. ‘We will plot a two-year journey, visiting about 25 more sites.’ Find out more at english-heritage/learn/inspiring-voices
Fountain I 1937 art installation
A new art installation has been unveiled at Witley Court and Gardens. The work of artist Keith Harrison, Fountain I 1937 is a contemporary reimagining of a pithead bath made from corrugated steel and charred wood. Set against the grandeur of Witley Court, it’s designed to highlight the contrast between the lives of its 19th-century owner, the Earl of Dudley, and the miners who worked in his 200 pits – and made his fortune. See english-heritage.org.uk/fountain-1937
Amonumenttolove?
Th e romanticruinsofKenilworthCastle embody oneofhistory ’sgrandestg estures
Words: Andrew Lock. Images: Gareth Iwan Jones
The garden and aviary were specially created for Elizabeth I’s 1575 visit
Kenilworth Castle
It’s 450 years since Queen Elizabeth I’s nal, most famous visit to Kenilworth Castle and I’m visiting the site – together with my partner Becky – to see what re ections of romance remain today. Elizabeth brought her sizeable entourage to the home of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in July 1575 and spent 19 days being lavishly entertained in a manner many believe to be a grand romantic gesture – a last bid to entice the queen into marriage.
More likely, Dudley’s chance for royal matrimony – if it ever existed – was already gone. So was the Earl of Leicester simply displaying appropriate courtly loyalty? Or o ering an a ectionate parting gi in the hope Elizabeth would allow him to marry someone else? Whatever his true motivation, does this impressive site still re ect romance or desire 450 years on?
The short answer to that last question is yes – with a little imagination. As you approach the castle from the car park, past the wide depression of the old mere, the mighty Norman keep dominates the skyline. Admittedly, romance may not be your rst thought on approaching the great tower, now a shell with its north wall slighted – but the fact that the castle was gi ed to Dudley by Elizabeth (in 1563) is a powerful reminder of his personal value to the queen.
Medieval splendour
Walking past the location of the former kitchens alongside the keep, we head into the medieval Great Hall, where the replaces are still visible in the walls. Climbing up some of the spiral staircases to the rst- oor level, there are dozens of pieces of gra ti going back hundreds of years. Initialled and dated love hearts at least as old as the early 19th century hint at a long history of visits by devoted couples.
history of visits by built this part of the 14th century to be t for a king. in
John of Gaunt built this part of the castle complex in the 14th century to be t for a king. It’s easy to imagine ne stained-glass windows in the existing bays and an elegant interior that would have made a splendid hall. Two centuries later,
Robert Dudley purpose-built Leicester’s Building for the queen
Romantic royal gestures
The Eleanor Cross, Geddington
When King Edward I’s beloved rst wife, Eleanor of Castile, died in 1290, he led her funeral procession, travelling some 200 miles to London. To commemorate Eleanor, the king had 12 stone crosses built to mark each place where her body rested overnight. Geddington’s cross is the nest of the three surviving crosses – the other two are at Hardingstone and Waltham Cross.
Osborne
Birthday gi s exchanged between Queen Victoria and Prince Albert suggest an intimate private relationship that they were not able to show publicly. Victoria bought Franz Xaver Winterhalter’s Florinda, a painting of semi-nude women preparing to bathe, for Albert’s birthday in 1852. It was her wish that it should hang directly opposite their side-by-side writing desks at Osborne, and the painting can today be seen in the Queen’s Sitting Room.
The Eleanor Cross, one of 12 built by Edward I for his wife
Florinda was a birthday gi from Victoria to Albert in 1852
Kenilworth Castle
Fresh perspective
A
p9 for details
Dudley’s attitude appears to have been – to quote his contemporary William Shakespeare –“Old fashions please me best; I am not so nice to change true rules for odd inventions.” Indeed not – it remained largely untouched during his time. However, fit for a medieval king did not necessarily equate to being fit for a Renaissance queen.
Leicester’s Building was purpose-built to solve that problem. Private apartments for Elizabeth overlooked the mere and were decorated with opulent friezes, the supporting holes for which are still visible. The rooms for her ladies-inwaiting, private conferences and frivolities are thoughtfully and practically arranged to allow for the required blend of national leadership, entertainment and private withdrawal.
Leicester’s Building requires a little more imagination than the Great Hall, as much of its luxury would have come from long-absent furnishings and decorations – but the effort and expense of the project are evident. It’s easy to be sceptical about romance, particularly historic ‘romance’ in a time of politically arranged marriages. But if the remains of Dudley’s
‘The sounds of cascading water and canary song carry across the lawn’
impressive tower are anything to go by, there is more here than a holiday home for royalty. He built a house for Elizabeth that she was not just welcome at, but in which she could perform her duties comfortably and for long periods. The attention to detail suggests a desire on Dudley’s part for the queen to stay longer, or at least to know that she could stay any time she liked.
Garden
glory
Heading out between the great tower and Leicester’s Gatehouse – built to give access to a vast enclosed hunting park – we reach the Elizabethan Garden, which was laid out for the queen’s 1575 visit and recreated in 2009, complete with Renaissance aviary. Dudley’s
The aviary, recreated in 2009, is home to a flock of rare lizard canaries
new art installation inspired by Elizabeth’s 1575 visit will be at Kenilworth Castle from 9 July until 31 October. See
‘The mighty keep dominates the skyline, now a hefty shell with its north wall slighted’
garden satisfied his craving for magnificence. This underlay his choice of motifs from Classical antiquity (the imitation-porphyry obelisks, the mythological scenes on the marble fountain), coupled with his own heraldic symbols. This was the most elaborate garden seen for 40 years in England, and it placed Dudley among the leading garden-patrons of Europe.
Even to the less scholarly eye, they remain enchanting. The sound of cascading water from the central fountain and canary song from the aviary carry across the manicured lawn and quartered flower, fruit and herb beds. Symbolism is plentiful in the four-part design, whether you favour the four apostles, four elements, four seasons, four cardinal virtues, or simply believe in the beauty of symmetry. For a thinking queen, as Elizabeth was, there was much in her garden to ponder, explore and admire. Or perhaps it was a place to relax and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents on a summer’s day – as visitors can do today.
Enduring love
Dudley married Lettice Knollys, an erstwhile friend and distant cousin of Elizabeth’s, three years after the monarch’s final visit to Kenilworth – a sign, perhaps, that a proposal to the queen was not his primary objective. However, the fact that he was still welcome at court thereafter, and Lettice was absolutely not, demonstrates an enduring emotional attachment between Dudley and Elizabeth that those 19 days could only have reinforced.
On a modern visit to Kenilworth, the beauty of the gardens – coupled with the imaginable grandeur of Leicester’s additions to what was already a splendid castle – can still inspire a sense of wonder, admiration, security and comfort. What is love if not those things?
Laid out for the Queen’s visit, the Elizabethan Garden is full of symbolism
Was marriage ever likely?
Robert Dudley’s thoughts and feelings are the less knowable of the pair of them. I think that Elizabeth probably was genuinely in love with him –by all descriptions she was a different person when he wasn’t there, sending letters to him and trying to get him to come back, or to stop him from going away.
Their relationship had many of the characteristics of a marriage, which I think is about right. She was too cautious to marry him – she may have had thoughts of her mother’s tragic marriage, but probably it was more about realising the political downsides to her, and possibly to Robert as well. (The other courtiers were jealous enough of him as the royal favourite – their opposition to a royal consort would have been much worse.)
So, my guess is that the ‘marriage’ motif was a bit of a performance – Robert had to go through a public charade of being in love with the unattainable, god-like queen, as perhaps all the courtiers did – and they went through with it because she was the source of prestige, social position, political power and money. What he thought and did when the two of them were together is anybody’s guess. I hope that the length and depth of their friendship made it a warm one, but we can’t really know.
Jeremy Ashbee Head curator of properties
‘These ‘old places’ have a part to play in the present and future of a place’
Perspective
A new beginning
Conservation, curatorial and learning director Matt Thompson on developing Berwick Barracks
What part can historic buildings play in helping to shape vibrant communities and places today?
It’s a question that’s at the heart of what we do at English Heritage. Historic buildings shouldn’t just speak of the past, they have a role to play in providing context, richness and colour to a place. Of course, they represent what has happened in the past, they have historical value, but they aren’t
in the past. They exist in the present and can help to support the future of a place. They don’t sit apart from the communities they exist within, they are a part of those communities.
Nicholas Hawksmoor) into a thriving cultural hub for the town. The project was recently awarded a £4.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund that will go towards the conservation and refurbishment of the East Barracks Block and the development of a store for all of Berwick’s archives. New gallery spaces will be created and the funding is also supporting a continuing programme of community outreach.
The Barracks are a continuing part of Berwick’s story. They provide part of the character of the place and contribute towards the sense of identity that’s at the heart of the town.
Historic buildings, many of them cared for by English Heritage, are at the heart of villages, towns and cities right across England. They contribute to that idea of local distinctiveness. This is something that should be conserved and celebrated because it brings so much to the communities who live in these places. It recognises the contribution of the past, but in the transformation of places such as Berwick Barracks, it shows that things can never stand still. These ‘old places’ have a part to play in the present and the future of a place.
That’s what we’re seeing with the incredible project at Berwick Barracks in Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland. English Heritage is part of the partnership committed to developing the 18th-century barracks (built to the design of architect
Part of our responsibility as English Heritage is to support this process of change and adaptation. As members you’re helping to breathe new life not just into old buildings but into communities up and down the country.
Through play, children (and adults!) can experiment, push limits, imagine and explore. And where better to do it than at one of our sites
Do you remember the games you played as a child? Were endless cartwheels on the lawn your thing, or did you drive the neighbours mad kicking a football against a wall? Board games that lasted days, or elaborate adventures with action figures? Whatever your play preferences, they were key to your physical and mental development – helping to shape the adult you eventually became.
Biological anthropologist Dr Brenna Hassett is the author of Growing up Human: The Evolution of Childhood. She analyses the fossilised bones of our ancestors to determine how long they took to reach maturity, compared with humans today. ‘Proportionate to our lifespans, Homo sapiens have incredibly long childhoods,’ she says. ‘During this time, we’re unable to fend for ourselves, we’re dependent on adults for food and shelter, and spend our time in seemingly unproductive pastimes – whether that’s playing with toy cars or talking to imaginary friends.’
But, as Dr Hassett explains, this is exactly how we learn the physical and social skills to be human. So when my children take turns
rolling down the grassy moat banks at Suffolk’s Framlingham Castle, or run between the wooden soldiers hidden in the landscape at Battle Abbey in East Sussex, they’re not just burning off ice cream-fuelled energy. They’re learning how to communicate effectively, regulate their emotions and improve their coordination skills and spatial awareness.
Tactile, physical learners
At Down House in Kent, Charles and Emma Darwin’s children had a specially made wooden slide for whooshing down the stairs. While the celebrated naturalist worked on his theory of evolution, his unruly brood ran riot, climbing trees in their Sunday best, swinging from a rope attached to the ceiling, and aiming lead darts at one another, armed with wooden shields.
Summer events
A day out at one of our events this summer will entertain children with fantastic shows – as well as hands-on activities and experiences that will fire their imagination (see p61-63 for details).
The Darwins were unusually indulgent and tolerant parents, perhaps, but they were raising bold, adventurous humans equipped for the age they lived in – one defined by huge technological and social transformations. ‘How, where and when children play is closely related to the kind of society that they’re going to grow up in,’ says Dr Hassett.
Although not quite as unconventional as the Darwins, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert also brought their children up in an unusually forward-thinking manner. At their seaside retreat Osborne on the Isle of Wight, you can see Swiss Cottage, the playhouse Prince Albert
Words: Anna Crane, Images: Leonie Freeman Adam Gasson, Joby Sessions, Emily Whitfield-Wicks, Andre
built for the young royals. He was keen that they learned about the outside world through cooking in its child-sized kitchen and tending to plants in the garden plots. There was also a miniature fort where his more military-minded o spring could play at soldiers.
‘Children are tactile, physical learners,’ says Dr Joanna Fortune, a psychotherapist and play expert, and author of Why We Play: How to nd joy and meaning in everyday life. ‘Look at any very young child and you can see what they’ve been playing with. Mud, sand, water – they, and o en the walls, will be covered in it!
‘It’s why they play with their food, too. It’s that stage of sensory embodiment, where play is the body. And when they make “music” with pots and pans, or get in and out of a cardboard box, they are learning about where their bodies end and the world and people outside of them begin. They’re nding out about containment and boundaries. That’s an essential life skill: understanding limits and building the capacity to stay safe.’
Childhood pursuits
Young people have rough and tumbled, climbed trees and sparred with sticks since forever, and enjoyed more formal types of play, too. In English Heritage’s collection, for example, there
As well as physical activity, kids at play learn social and emotional skills, too
Toys through time
English Heritage has an extensive collection of toys and games enjoyed by children over the ages, including handcra ed Roman toys, massproduced board games, cricket bats, Matchbox cars and even an entire model kitchen. There are game boards scratched on to slabs of stone with counters recycled from broken pottery, beautiful toys made for royal children, saggy old cloth bears with split seams, bone die weighted for cheating and an elaborate dice tower designed to prevent foul play. Games like chess and Merrills (also known as Nine Men’s Morris) span the ages while others like Jiggle-Joggle, an early 20th-century frog racing game from Brodsworth Hall, mark a moment in time.
13th-century weighted bone die, held at Launceston Castle held
The children of the 3rd Baron Braybrooke played with this three-storey dolls’ house in the 1800s. They enhanced the interiors with paper and fabrics from Audley End
A child’s imaginative, nolimits approach to play can be freeing for adults, too
there’s the diary of Marjorie Ayres, daughter of Audley End gardener Charles Ayres, who wrote about dressing her doll and playing hopscotch during the Second World War.
Adults – join in the fun
And it’s not just for children. ‘One of the lovely things about our species is that we keep playing, into adulthood,’ says Dr Hassett. Dr Fortune agrees: ‘Play fuels flexibility and adaptability, and those are essential life skills we need throughout our lives. Taking a playful approach will make life’s pressures feel more manageable.’
William Hardie, director and lead designer at Studio Hardie, which has designed and built play areas and adventure trails at English Heritage sites, says: ‘Adults can forget how to play – or limit what can be defined as play. At Studio Hardie, we see play as a vehicle for artistic expression, as well as an inspiration and invitation for audiences to be creative. Through play, children experiment, push limits and explore. It doesn’t have to have an objective: its reward can be the process, the engagement itself.’
are Roman gaming counters and fragmentary gaming boards from along Hadrian’s Wall. Medieval chess pieces have been excavated from Whitby Abbey and Rievaulx Abbey, too.
It’s more difficult, though, to know how games of make-believe or ‘let’s pretend’ might have evolved down the centuries, or what toys may have been shared or fought over. ‘Bows and arrows made from twigs won’t last as long as artefacts made from bone, stone or pottery,’ says Dr Hassett. ‘Toys, especially those used by poorer children, are ephemeral.’
From the 19th century onwards, however, there is ample evidence of childhood pursuits at English Heritage sites. At Northumberland’s Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, there are photographs of children playing as Native Americans in the grounds, complete with head dresses and a teepee. A well-worn game of Jiggle-Joggle – a frog-racing game from the early part of the 20th century – has been found at Brodsworth Hall, South Yorkshire.
At Audley End in Essex, there are accounts of the sons of the 7th Lord Braybrooke making stink bombs in the nursery. A decade later,
So, play is a serious business. But don’t worry if you’re not up to scrambling up the climbing frame or rolling down a grassy slope. To reawaken your playful side, you just need to be open, curious and willing to let your imagination spark and fly. What better place to do that than at a magical English Heritage site?
Jo Denison
Tom Arber, Oliver Edwards, Steve
Sayers
Ready to play?
From tunnels to tree canopies, kids will go wild for our play areas. Here’s a selection
1. Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria
Learn about life on Hadrian’s Wall through hands-on play that includes Lego® building and a version of a Roman board game. There’s also a Roman-themed soft play area for little ones.
2. Dover Castle, Kent
Explore the world of siege warfare in this interactive play area, which fires imaginations with an immersive approach to play. Children can test their skills with wooden tunnels, climbing walls, a trapdoor maze and a mighty siege engine.
3. Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
Belsay Wildman Play Area is an epic play area blurring the boundaries of tame and wild, man-made and natural. Kids can climb up amid the tree canopy into a series of woodland pods, connected by net walkways and wobbly bridges. There’s also a spiral slide for them to whizz back down to earth.
Not
4. Brodsworth Hall, South Yorkshire
A new exhibition, Family, Maids and Mischief, explores the potential for play along a bedroom corridor and in a linen-cupboard-turneddolls’-house in this grand Victorian country home.
To discover more play areas, go to english-heritage.org. uk/visit/familydaysout/ english-heritage-play-areas
only do kids go free with members, kids can also eat free at our cafés
Your starts now TIM E
Silly season is in full e ect. This summer, take part in Taskmaster challenges at 17 English Heritage sites. It’s fun- lled chaos for all
Welcome to the fun
From 19 July until 31 August, we’re bringing Taskmaster challenge events to 17 of our heritage sites, along with hundreds of rubber ducks. Our new collaboration with Taskmaster is about imagination, problem-solving and, most of all, fun for everyone who takes part. The genius of the TV show is that it’s unpredictable and hilarious – we’ll have that energy, too.
How does the game work?
First, you’ll collect your Taskmaster score card from one of our team at a Taskmaster landing zone. From there, you’ll discover your rst task. Open it up and let the fun begin with your starter challenge. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll be directed to di erent areas of the site to take on ve more. Each station will re ect that uniquely Taskmaster style, so you won’t miss them.
Your task is…
Give yourself goosebumps. Make the best noise. These are just some of the endishly weird challenges that have made Taskmaster a mustwatch TV show. But don’t think you can watch old episodes to get a head start. We’ve called on our Young Producers to dream up all-new challenges – from the creative and skilful to the head-scratching and downright da .
Stop what you’re doing
Once you’ve completed all the tasks, celebrate successes and silliness at the nishing zone with some memorable sel e shots, as well as collecting a little reward for your e orts. Seeing family and friends tackle these seemingly straightforward tasks – some more successfully than others – will leave you with a bank of memories that will be replayed at gatherings for years to come.
Based on the hit show hosted by Greg Davies and Alex Horne (le ), this is your chance to take part in Taskmaster challenges at 17 of our sites
Take part at these sites
Audley End
Battle Abbey
Beeston Castle
Belsay Hall
Bolsover Castle
Brodsworth Hall
Carisbrooke Castle
Dover Castle
Eltham Palace
Framlingham Castle
Kenilworth Castle
Osborne
Pendennis Castle
Scarborough Castle
Stonehenge
Walmer Castle
Wrest Park
Book online
Taskmaster challenge events run daily from 19 Jul to 31 Aug and are free to members. For more information go to english-heritage.org. uk/whats-on
Snapshot of an era Amazing artefact
A Kodak camera used to take photos of life at Brodsworth Hall in the early part of the 20th century is part of a treasured collection
The young woman in the photograph (opposite, bottom) is standing in a eld, wearing what appears to be a straw boater and holding a scythe. She’s smiling at the camera, taking a break from her work. The date is around 1915, and it could be a scene from Cider with Rosie – a bucolic interlude a million miles from the horrors of the First World War that were unfolding at the time. The woman is a kitchen maid called Caroline Palmer, and she’s in love with the man taking the photo: a valet and chau eur named Alf Edwards. A year later, they married.
These days, personal photographs are almost in nite, shot on our smartphones whenever the fancy takes us and o en quickly forgotten.
In the Edwardian era, however, mementoes such as this were still a relative rarity, to be treasured. The ones opposite are part of a large private family collection of objects and photographs – many of which have been gi ed to Brodsworth Hall, outside Doncaster. The items bring the lives of two former servants who worked there into sharp focus for a modern audience.
Early images
Along with letters of introduction, First World War registration cards and other correspondence, the collection features several items made and carved by Alf. These include several tobacco pipes, a good-luck photo frame – made from wood
from the estate and a horseshoe – a miniature clock case fashioned from a cigar case, and a wooden stool with a carving of the Victorian country house on its seat.
The highlight of the collection, though, is a Number 3 Folding Pocket Kodak Model E2 camera belonging to Alf. He used it to record life on the Brodsworth Hall estate, capturing some of the earliest images of the sta there.
Rare possessions
‘The highlight of the collection is a Kodak camera’
The camera was used to take some of the earliest photos of servants at Brodsworth Hall
‘It shows that, while Alf was certainly busy in his duties as a valet and chau eur, he also had substantial time for his hobbies,’ says Eleanor Matthews, curator of collections and interiors. ‘And without the camera, he may never have met and fallen in love with Caroline. It seems they started courting while he was in the kitchen drying his negatives.’
The couple were married in 1916, enjoying three years together before Alf sadly died of tuberculosis in 1919. Their family has generously shared their memories with English Heritage, through objects and oral history.
‘Too o en, personal possessions get dispersed over the decades,’ says Eleanor. ‘This is an important collection; it’s extremely rare to have so many items relating to speci c servants’ lives survive. This might be the most signi cant and sizeable donation of items relating to servants that Brodsworth – and any other English Heritage country house –has ever been o ered.’
To book, visit english-heritage.org.uk/ brodsworth-hall
These photos of kitchen maid Caroline Palmer are just a few of many taken by Alf Edwards
Restful retreats
Take a step back from the noise and distractions of everyday life. Instead, tune into tranquility and rediscover the joy of living in the moment
Of all the things modern technology has eroded – privacy, sleep, even a bit of common sense – our attention might be the most wrecked. Or at least, that’s what we’re told. We can’t get ‘deep work’ done. Staying focused has become nearly impossible. Reading has turned into little more than scrolling and looking at memes. The supposed fix? Meditate, do some breathwork, live like monks – and pretend that’ll somehow cancel out the chaos.
One uncomfortable explanation for why so many parts of modern life corrode our attention is that they simply don’t merit it. Maybe that’s why our to-do lists are full of half-finished tasks, our bedside tables stacked with half-read books. Why we scroll through Instagram while half-watching Netflix.
Yet the search for calm in a world of noise isn’t exactly new. It’s been going on for centuries. Long before TikTok, smartphones or streaming services, tranquility was already hard to come by. John of Dalyatha, an 8th-century monk from a monastery near the Turkey-Iraq
border, once wrote in a letter to his brother: ‘All I do is eat, sleep, drink and be negligent.’
He was far from the only monk who struggled to nd peace and tranquility amid the noise.
Even the most devoted ascetics, such as Simeon Stylites who lived on a small platform on top of a pillar for around 36 years, were not immune to wandering thoughts or physical needs. Their solution was not to banish all stimulation, but to create routines and environments that supported focus and contemplation. The Rule of St Benedict, which shaped monastic life for centuries, emphasised a rhythm of work, rest, study and prayer – showing that structure and simplicity are powerful tools for mental clarity.
It might not be as well-known as places such as Rievaulx, but Kirkstall – now in the care of Leeds City Council – is still one of the bestpreserved monastic ruins in England. The church rises to its full height, and the buildings around the cloister are intact, too – some even have their original stone-vaulted ceilings. ‘Standing there,’ says Michael, ‘you can actually feel this deep sense of peace.’
Sites across the country provide tangible links to these traditions of tranquility and re ection. Thornborough Henges, a trio of vast prehistoric earthworks in North Yorkshire nicknamed the ‘Stonehenge of the north’, invite visitors to walk in the footsteps of ancient communities who gathered there for ceremonies and quiet contemplation.
People have also sought to quiet the mind and nd moments of re ection by spending time in nature and sacred spaces. Consider the monks at Mount Grace Priory or Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, whose lives were de ned by silence, contemplation and a deep connection to the rhythms of the land.
According to curator of history Michael Carter, whose primary areas of interest are monastic art and architecture, this antimaterialist message still hits home today. ‘The ruins of Rievaulx still echo with the memory of their lives of pared back simplicity: early morning prayers, work in the elds and hours spent in silent meditation,’ he says. Michael encourages visitors today to experience moments of contemplation there, ignoring their phones to absorb the tranquility that once sustained generations of monks.
Even so, keeping silent in monastic life wasn’t easy. As Michael says, ‘Monks and nuns were human, a er all.’ The e ort to remain quiet led to creative workarounds, such as the elaborate system of over one hundred hand signals developed at Cluny Abbey in 10th-century France, and a wide range of punishments for those who broke the rules. Some were spiritual, such as extra prayers or fasting; others were more severe, including public discipline or nes.
‘But silence wasn’t just about obedience – it was meant to create a space where inner peace could take root, free from the noise of the outside world,’ says Michael.
Growing up in the 1970s, Michael remembers taking the bus with his family from their suburb outside Leeds to visit the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, just a few miles away. ‘It was those early visits to Kirkstall that really set me on the path to becoming a historian of monastic life,’ he says.
‘The layout of the henges, possibly aligned with the three stars of Orion’s belt, points to a reverence for cosmic order and a desire to connect with something greater than oneself,’
‘The layout of the henges, possibly aligned with the three stars of Orion’s belt, points to a reverence for cosmic order and a desire to connect with something greater than oneself,’
The practice of living in the moment isn’t just a modern need – it’s a long-held tradition
explains Jennifer Wexler, curator of history, who specialises in prehistoric sites.
For Jennifer, Castlerigg Stone Circle, set in the dramatic hills of the Lake District, is another place where time seems to slow. The purpose of these stones remains a mystery, but their enduring presence speaks to a timeless human need for places of gathering, ritual and stillness. ‘Recently, the site has become very popular,’ says Jennifer, ‘and I can understand why. You feel like you’re being drawn up to the mountains. There is a sense of the sublime.’
Wrest Park in Bedfordshire provides a di erent kind of tranquility – one that can be cultivated through design, says Andrew Hann, senior curator of history. Its sweeping gardens and ornate follies invite visitors to wander through formal and informal landscapes, pausing by re ective pools and shaded groves – a living testament to the English tradition of
peaceful retreat. In uenced by Dutch, English, French and Italian styles, the park was created as a retreat from the pressures of public life. ‘Walking its paths, visitors are encouraged to slow down, notice the play of light on leaves and experience the restorative power of nature – a practice as old as civilisation itself,’ says Andrew.
During the First World War, Wrest Park’s country house was converted into a hospital. Patients were encouraged to spend time in the gardens, re ecting a belief that being in nature played a vital role in healing – a sentiment that still resonates. It’s a di erent experience from most public parks now, says Andrew, ‘which are o en full of running clubs, buzzing cafés and not as peaceful as they probably used to be.’
Whether in the stillness of a ruined abbey or the quiet of ancient stone circles, we’re reminded that the practice of living in the moment isn’t just a modern need – it’s a long-held tradition and one that needs to be nurtured. When we step outside and embrace these spaces, we’re not only escaping distraction; we’re connecting with a practice that stretches back through centuries and across cultures. In doing so, we not only honour the wisdom of those who came before us, but also rediscover the simple joy of being truly present.
Serene spaces
Northallerton
Mount Grace Priory Wander through the Victorian gardens to Monks’ Pond via a wild ower meadow, alive with the gentle, calming hum of insects.
Colyton, Devon Blackbury Camp
Northumberland Warkworth
Hermitage
Carved into the cliface rock on the river Coquet, this tiny chapel is accessible only by a volunteer-rowed boat.
A carpet of bluebells stretching under the dappled sunlight of woodland heralds the start of spring at this Iron Age hillfort.
Bristol Temple Church
Cheltenham
Hailes Abbey
Pilgrims have found peace at this shrine since its foundation in the 13th century. The special atmosphere remains to this day.
With its leaning tower and walls, and built on the site of an original Knights Templar church, Temple Church is an oasis in the city centre.
Anthony Chappel-Ross, Brian Morris
Discover our free sites
Every visit to one of our free heritage sites helps our charitable work. Here are five to explore this summer
Bratton, Wiltshire
Bratton Camp and White Horse
With views over the Wiltshire countryside and plenty of space to run around, this is a great place for a picnic or kite flying. The original Iron Age hillfort defences were built at Bratton Camp over 2000 years ago, while it’s believed that the White Horse was cut into the chalk in the 17th century – although its shape has changed over time. In 2023, an English Heritage conservation team abseiled down the near-vertical face of the 180ft (about 55m) horse to restore its iconic white hue.
Kit essentials: with steep slopes and uneven ground, you’ll need strong, supportive footwear. Try Craghoppers NewHide Walking Boot 2 (1).
Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
Winshields Wall
Winshields Wall lies halfway along Hadrian’s Wall, where it climbs to its highest point. Although you can only access it on foot, the views from the top are well worth the walk and a vivid reminder of what life was like on the border.
Kit essentials: the route has amazing views but is exposed to the elements. Try Craghoppers Caldbeck (or men’s Lorton) waterproof jacket (2) with its agile AquaDry Membrane and PFCFree H2OShield finish for all year round waterproof performance and six pockets for trail essentials.
Keswick, Cumbria
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Raised in about 3000 BC during the Neolithic period, Castlerigg is one of the earliest stone circles in the country. It’s also one of the most dramatically sited, with the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat as a backdrop. On certain dates durig the summer, English Heritage volunteers are on hand to answer your questions about the stones.
Kit essentials: if you plan to see the sunrise, wear layered clothing that you can adapt as the temperature rises. Try Craghoppers NosiLife Abel longsleeved T-shirt (3) made from soft, moisture-wicking NosiLife jersey with built-in plant-based insect repellent and odour-elimination properties.
Watch now
Join our community of volunteers as they add insight and stories to a tour of Chester Castle, the Agricola Tower and Roman Amphitheatre.
Chester, Cheshire
Chester Castle: Agricola Tower
The 12th-century Agricola Tower was the rst stone gateway to Chester Castle, which had been founded by William the Conqueror in 1070 in the south-west part of the city. On the rst oor is the chapel of St Mary de Castro, which contains some ne wall paintings from about 1240.
Kit essentials: a backpack is essential to keep everything together for a day exploring the city. Try Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack (4) in 16l or 20l.
Fowey, Cornwall
St Catherine’s Castle
St Catherine’s Castle is one of a pair of small artillery forts built by Henry VIII in the 1530s to defend Fowey
Harbour. The fort overlooking the sea has frequently been called upon to defend England – it was modi ed in the 19th century during the Crimean War and again during the Second World War, when it became home to an anti-aircra gun.
Kit essentials: The castle is a 3/4-mile walk from the car park via Readymoney Cove. A gentle slope down to the beach turns into a challenging climb through woodland. Try Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Trousers (5) which are sun protective, insect repellent, lightweight, durable and very comfortable.
Home
Whether it’s a tasty lunch stop, an a ernoon break from the beach or somewhere to burn o pent-up energy, our heritage sites can answer your day trip and holiday needs
For a few hours
I’m headed east
Wrest Park
Framlingham Castle
On a dry day, walk the walls for fabulous views. If it’s raining, head inside to the exhibition and café. Also try: Gainsborough Old Hall
For a whole day out
Driving or public transport?
Car
Just six miles o the M1, with plenty of parking. There’s enough to entertain you for a full day indoors and out, including 90 acres of grounds. Also try: Home of Charles Darwin –Down House
Train
Audley End House and Gardens
The station is just over a mile away from one of England’s great mansion houses. There are two cafés for refuelling. Also try: Tilbury Fort
Mike Harrington, Nigel Wallace-Iles, Arnhel de Serra, Oliver Edwards, Jo Denison, Robert Smith
away
Bring on the elements
Whitby Abbey
Gothic ruins with wideopen spaces, spectacular views and myths aplenty. Also try: Lindisfarne Priory
Wild and windswept or genteel splendour?
Coast
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Clifford’s Tower
Planning a day trip to York? Get your bearings with 360-degree views from the spectacular new roof deck. Also try: Carlisle Castle
Busy and bustling
Countryside
Busy and bustling, or far from the madding crowd? Genteel splendour
Greek Revival mansion, medieval castle and gardens in one memorable location. Also try: Warkworth Castle
Hadrian’s Wall
Explore the remains of Roman forts and towns set against wild and rugged countryside. Also try: Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Spades at the ready
Osborne
Explore Victoria and Albert’s seaside palace, then head to the royal beach to play, paddle and enjoy an ice cream. Also try: Yarmouth Castle
Dover Castle
Sandcastles or sword ghts?
I’m headed south
City Dogs
Spot of sightseeing
Apsley House
Stunning art and interiors in the heart of London. Also try: Eltham Palace and Gardens
Seaside
Looking for energetic activities? Take your pick from quests, tunnels and a mighty playground. Also try: Portchester Castle
Taking kids or fourlegged friends?
Children
Space to roam
Battle Abbey
Dogs are welcome to accompany you as you explore outdoor areas including the atmospheric abbey ruins and 1066 Battle eld. Also try: Carisbrooke Castle
Sword ghts
Swords at the ready
Sandcastles
Christopher Ison, Jim Holden, Sam Frost, Jason Ingram, Nigel Wallace-Iles
I’m headed west
Yes, why not? No, let’s keep moving
Looking to break up the drive?
Ultimate pit-stop
What’s top of your wishlist?
Stonehenge
Stretch your legs around the standing stones before stopping o at the café for one of the famous rock cakes.
Also try: Restormel Castle
Landscaped loveliness
Witley Court
A palatial 19th-century mansion surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Also try: Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
Glorious gardens
A great lunch
Spectacular views
Stunning panoramas
Pendennis Castle
The Beach Café serves Cornish classics such as pasties and cream teas. Children’s meals come in a bucket and spade. Also try: Goodrich Castle Classic cream teas
Tintagel
Castle
Climb to the top of the Tudor keep for fantastic coastal views. Also try: Dartmouth Castle
Refectory Cottage, Rievaulx Abbey
Situated in the peaceful grounds of Rievaulx Abbey, this pretty two-bedroom cottage was built from reclaimed abbey stone – you can still see the medieval masons’ marks on many of the blocks. Wander the atmospheric abbey ruins in peace, and use it as a base to explore nearby Helmsley Castle, Mount Grace Priory and Cli ord’s Tower. It sleeps four, and up to two wellbehaved dogs are welcome on the ground oor.
Garden Cottage, Walmer Castle
Walmer Castle is a gardener’s paradise – and a stay in one of its properties is a truly special one. There are two to choose from, both overlooking the walled garden and with castle views: the two-bedroom Garden Cottage, which is set over two oors; and the spacious rst- oor Greenhouse Apartment, which also sleeps four comfortably.
Stay a little longer
Book a break in one of our holiday cottages for exclusive a er-hours access. Go to english-heritage. org.uk/visit/holiday-cottages
Pavilion Cottage, Osborne
This two-bedroom cottage is only a short walk to the house, gardens and beach but is o the beaten track for visitors, ensuring plenty of peace and privacy. As the name suggests, it’s a converted cricket pavilion overlooking elds, built in the 1900s for cadets at the Royal Naval College. It has lovely period features, and a large terrace and veranda that are perfect for relaxing on a summer’s evening.
Pool House, Witley Court
Ideal for a family holiday, the Pool House has been awarded VisitEngland’s highest 5 Star Gold rating. It sleeps eight, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms upstairs, and plenty of living space on the ground oor, including a dining room and music room. Rhododendronlined paths lead you to the ruined mansion with its magni cent fountain, and there are woodland walks and a wilderness play area to enjoy all to yourself a er hours.
Peverell’s Tower, Dover Castle
A unique location for a romantic getaway: a 13th-century tower high in the walls of Dover Castle, built by Henry III as an extra buttress. With its winding stone staircase and roo op terrace, it’s only suitable for adults. Take in the views across the Channel from the private terrace, then explore the grounds alone once the castle closes for the day.
Bring a four-legged friend
Be king or queen of the castle
Couple’s retreat
Seclusion by the sea
Group getaway
Oliver Purvis, Dave Hawkins
This
outside Take it
Pack up your picnic blanket and savour the long tradition of outdoor dining with these exclusive recipes
DMake ahead
These sweet little buns were a favourite of Jane Austen and traditionally glazed and topped with sugar-coated caraway seeds. Bath buns are best eaten on the day they’re baked, or served the next day. If you want to revive them, give them 20 seconds in a microwave then allow them to cool again.
This vegetarian pie is delicious warm or at room temperature, and sturdy enough to travel well.
espite the changeable British weather – or perhaps in defiance of it – outdoor eating was happening long before ‘picnic’ entered the English lexicon. Think of those Norman troops depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry tucking into a feast on the eve of the Battle of Hastings. Or Elizabeth I portrayed in George Gascoigne’s 16th-century book The Noble Arte of Venerie or Hunting, sitting regally with a meal spread before her on a cloth while servants scurry about with baskets of cooked fowls and flagons of wine.
The word ‘picnic’ probably entered the English language in the mid-18th century. Originally, pique-nique was a sort of potluck meal to which everyone contributed a dish. But by the 19th century, picnicking had become de rigueur for the fashionable elite. In Jane Austen’s Emma, the titular character is most concerned that her elegant excursion to Box Hill not become the sort of ‘picnic parade’ favoured by the socially inferior Eltons. Provisions had to be equal to the social standing of the diners, with the finest delicacies – not to mention crockery, cutlery, glassware and furniture – carted to the picnic spot by servants.
Queen Victoria was an avid picnicker and rarely went on an excursion without a retinue prepared to serve tea. With its extensive grounds and private beach, Osborne provided ample opportunity to dine al fresco. As Victoria’s reign drew to a close, picnicking became more democratic. The railways, early factory closing on Saturdays and the introduction of bank holidays in 1871 meant that workers had more leisure time. On summer weekends, people would flock to city train stations carrying provisions. By the early 20th century, motor car excursions ensured the wealthy could nip off to find a sunny lunch spot.
Of course, our cafés serve delicious local and seasonal produce, and members’ kids eat free. Many people enjoy visiting for a cup of tea, coffee and cake, too. But there’s something delightful about unpacking a picnic at one of our sites. These exclusive recipes will ensure you’ll have a hamper full of goodies.
Like the blanket? Find it in the English Heritage Shop at englishheritageshop. org.uk
1 Boil the asparagus for 2 minutes, then drain and cool under cold running water.
Pat dry, removing any peeling outer skin, and set aside.
2 To make the pesto, put the basil, rocket, almonds, garlic and yeast into a small food processor and blitz to a rough paste. Stir through the olive oil, season, then add lemon juice to taste.
3 Spread the bread with the vegan spread, if using, then a thin layer of pesto. Lay the asparagus spears topto-tail over half the bread, then cover with the remaining slices.
Rose and lemon ginger punch
In a jug or airtight bottle, mix 1 tsp rosewater, the juice of 1 lemon and 25g sugar syrup (or 1 tbsp sugar). Pour in 600ml ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with sliced strawberries and sprigs of fresh mint.
Butternut squash and filo pie V
Serves 6
Takes 2 hours 20 minutes, plus cooling
Ingredients
1.5kg butternut squash
3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
1 red onion, finely sliced
400g rainbow chard, ends trimmed, leaves and stalks separated
2 garlic cloves, crushed
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Juice ½ lemon
1 tbsp za’atar
25g fresh dill, finely chopped
25g fresh mint , leaves finely chopped
200g feta cheese
80g unsalted butter, melted
8 sheets filo pastry
1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Put the squash into a large roasting tray, drizzle with the oil and season with salt. Toss to coat and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 45-50 minutes, turning once, until soft and caramelised.
2 Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over a mediumhigh heat and add a drizzle of oil. Fry the onion with some seasoning, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add the chard stalks and fry for 5 minutes more until softened and lightly coloured. Add the chard leaves and fry for a further 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and nutmeg and fry for 2 minutes until fragrant. Squeeze in the lemon juice, then remove from the heat.
3 Once the squash is cooked, tip it into the pan. Add the za’atar, herbs and
feta, season well, then toss it all together, trying not to break up the feta too much. Turn the oven down to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4.
4 Unroll the filo and cover with a tea towel to stop it drying out. Brush the inside of a 20cm square cake tin with melted butter. Lay a sheet of pastry in the tin, pushing it into the corners, and brush with melted butter (ignore the overhang for now). Repeat with a second piece of pastry, turning the tin 90˚ to lay it crosswise over the first. Repeat, alternating the direction each time, until you’ve used up all the pastry – you don’t need to butter the final sheet.
5 Pack the filling into the tin (it should come right to the top), then fold in the overhanging ends of the final sheet. Brush the top with butter, then repeat, folding in and brushing each layer, until you have a neat, square parcel.
6 Bake in the oven for 5060 minutes until the pastry is deep golden and the top layers all look cooked.
7 Remove from the oven. Place a cooling rack upside down on top of the tin and carefully invert it. Remove the tin and allow the pie to cool for at least an hour before slicing into pieces.
Middle Eastern
coronation chicken GF Serves 4-6 Takes 25 minutes
Ingredients
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
2 echalion shallots, finely sliced lengthways
2 tsp Baharat spice mix
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp tomato purée
200g Greek yoghurt
600g cooked chicken, shredded
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 tsp honey
20g coriander, roughly chopped
50g pomegranate seeds
4 spring onions, finely sliced
75g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
1 Heat the oil over a medium heat and fry the shallots, stirring often, for 6-8 minutes until softened and lightly coloured. Stir in the Baharat and garlic and cook for 2 minutes more, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a further minute, then remove from the heat and allow to cool to lukewarm.
2 Scrape everything into a mixing bowl and stir through the remaining ingredients, reserving a few pomegranate seeds, herbs and nuts to garnish.
Cardamom and pistachio Bath buns V Makes 12 Takes 1 hour 20 minutes, plus rising, proofing and cooling
Ingredients
230ml whole milk
80g unsalted butter
400g strong white flour
9g fine salt
5g fast-action yeast
50g caster sugar
15 cardamom pods, seeds removed and ground
2 medium free-range eggs
250g sultanas
150g icing sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
50g pistachios, finely chopped
1 Gently heat the milk and butter together until the butter has just melted, then cool to lukewarm. Mix the flour, salt, yeast, caster sugar and cardamom together in the bowl of a stand mixer, then add the liquid and 1 of the eggs. Beat on medium speed for 15 minutes, adding the sultanas for the final 5 minutes. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean cloth and leave somewhere warm to rise for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
2 Once the dough has risen, remove from the bowl and knead gently. Divide into 12 equal portions, 75-80g each. Pull the ends of each piece underneath itself then roll on the surface to create neat balls. Spread out on a large, lined baking tray, 2-3cm apart.
3 Cover gently with a muslin or lightly oiled clingfilm, then leave to proof somewhere warm for 40-60 minutes, until puffed up to around a third bigger.
4 Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Brush the buns all over with beaten egg and bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes, until dark golden, risen and glossy. Allow to cool completely.
5 To make the glaze, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Place a clean tray under the cooling rack and spoon the glaze over each bun, scooping up any icing from the tray to reuse. Scatter over the pistachios, then leave to dry for around 1 hour before eating.
Summer specials
1 What teddy bear doesn’t love a picnic. English Heritage Bear £20
2 Chin chin – it’s time for gin. English Heritage Elderflower & Rose Gin (20cl) £16
3 It’s game, set and a match made in heaven with this cute cuddly fella. Tennis Ball Plush Toy £25
4 Bursting with berry flavours, this wine is best quaffed in the sun. English Heritage Blackberry Wine £14
5 Too delicious to just dunk. Eltham Palace Art Deco Clotted Cream Shortbread Biscuits £5.50
6 Are you sitting comfortably? Then
let’s tuck in. Pumpkin Houndstooth Wool Throw £70
7 For the jam first kind of person. English Heritage Strawberry & Marc de Champagne Preserve £4.25
8 When life gives you lemons... English Heritage All Butter Lemon Curd £4.75
9 Let the games begin. Gin Rummy Cards £2
10 Open a box of delights. Union Flag Chocolate Gift Box £18
WIN £300 TO SPEND IN OUR ONLINE SHOP
If our featured goodies have inspired you to get shopping, enter our competition and you could win a £300 voucher to spend in the English Heritage Online Shop. To enter, go to englishheritage.org.uk/summerprize-draw
Closing date 1 Sep 2025. Terms and conditions apply – see the entry form for more information.
Save 10%
If you’re a member beyond your first renewal, you get 10% off in our shops, cafés and online
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APH o ers airport parking options at all major airports. Save 15% when you book with the ‘Best Airport Parking Provider’.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/aph
15% o quality cars
Europe’s top car rental company boasts numerous vehicles to suit your needs. Book now to save 15% in 140 countries. www.english-heritage.org.uk/europcar
15% o in-store or online
Visit Runners Need in-store or online to save 15% on footwear, clothing and more and get expert advice on training.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/runnersneed
15% o kids’ kits
For 40 years, Cotswold Outdoor has prepared families for adventure. Start yours with 15% o kids’ clothing and camping gear.
Get a case of 10 IPAs, lagers and stouts, a copy of Ferment magazine and two snacks for just £6.95 postage.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/beer52
15% o your ferry booking
Journey to the Isle of Wight with discounted ferry travel. Visit stunning English Heritage sites such as Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/red-funnel
‘I’ve used many of the offers in the last six months, including ferry travel to France, free skincare and a discount on camping equipment’
Louise Romney, Leeds
10%
o resort holidays
Voted best UK family holiday, Parkdean Resorts o ers parks and accommodation nationwide, making it easy to nd your perfect getaway.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/parkdeanresorts
‘I love being outdoors and made some great savings on new boots and clothing’
Gill Herbert, Essex
Steam train adventures
Experience an unforgettable day out. Enjoy 10% o scenic journeys with The Railway Touring Company, including the iconic Settle and Carlisle Line. www.english-heritage.org.uk/rtc
Steve Webster, Bristol
Talking points
We love to hear about your experiences at our English Heritage sites
members.magazine@english-heritage.org.uk
@englishheritage
Book online english-heritage. org.uk/visit/ holiday-cottages
Christopher Watts
Our star letter prize is two pairs of Kiwi Pro II trousers from Craghoppers (RRP £140). The ideal choice for hiking
For ve days last summer, I travelled north for an adventure. With Hexham as my base, I visited every English Heritage site (and some others) along Hadrian’s Wall from Tynemouth Priory and Castle to Carlisle Castle.
Along the way, I paid homage to the once mighty sycamore, so cruelly and cowardly cut down in its prime.
I have to confess that some of the sites were somewhat di cult to locate – the given postcode can o en leave you wide of the mark. Would it not be bene cial, to adopt the ‘what3words’ navigational system as an option to give precise locations?
Dear Christopher – What a great trip. You’ll be pleased to know that we now include the what3words system alongside postcodes in the new handbook for your next tour.
Barry and Liz Wickins
We spent three nights in Peverell’s Tower, an English Heritage holiday cottage that’s part of Dover Castle. It was exciting to stay in the castle and have the grounds to ourselves a er hours. Peverell’s Tower is a di erent kind of ‘cottage’ with a spiral staircase and a roof terrace. It was comfortable and we were treated to a magni cent welcome hamper on arrival. Everything was done to make our stay memorable and convenient.
We enjoyed exploring everything Dover Castle has to o er, starting with a Roman lighthouse and nishing with the tunnels experience. We had a lovely chat with Queen Eleanor in the castle keep and nearly managed to get one of our daughters married to Richard the Lionheart! The Second World War experience was moving and informative and felt worryingly relevant to today. We took two days to explore and, on our third day, visited Walmer Castle which was only a few miles away.
Essential events
From jousting knights to soaring birds of prey, and mythical trails to unmissable live music, fill this summer with fun and discovery
Sat 19 Jul–Sun 31 Aug
It’s play time
Fun and games are in full flow at our sites across the country this summer, with activities for the whole family. From minigolf to archery and den building, it’s all-action adventure throughout the school holidays.
Medieval tournaments were the ultimate test of a knight’s skill, strength and courage. They took place in England from the mid-1100s until the 1620s, developing from lethal free-for-alls into extravagant courtly spectacles. Take in the drama of these battles, where you’ll be transported back to the pageantry of the 13th century, with four armoured knights and their squires clashing in gruelling competitions in the castle grounds.
Warkworth Castle: Tue 29-Wed 30 Jul, Tue 12-Wed 13 Aug
Framlingham Castle: Sat 23Mon 25 Aug
Kenilworth Castle: Sat 23-Mon 25 Aug
Fri 4 Jul-Sat 20 Sep
UK Proms in the Park season
Four of our historic sites will provide a stunning backdrop to the UK Proms Weekend season this summer. Each location hosts a symphonic Dance Anthems event with a live orchestra on the Friday. Then, on Saturday evening, audiences will be treated to a programme of music from lm, TV and stage, followed by a rousing grand nale of the classics from the Last Night of the Proms.
Carlisle Castle: Fri 4-Sat 5 Jul
Whitby Abbey: Fri 11-Sat 12 Jul
Pendennis Castle: Fri 5-Sat 6 Sep
Bolsover Castle: Fri 19-Sat 20 Sep
Sat 2-Mon 25 Aug
Legendary jousts
Experience an exhilarating spectacle as four knights compete for glory in the grand medieval joust. See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves and hear the roar of the crowd. Each knight represents a character from myth or legend: The Wyvern, The Wildman, Sir Lancelot and Jason of the Argonauts. Who will be your champion? There’s more to explore in the medieval encampment, where you can dig deeper into daily life in the Middle Ages.
Eltham Palace: Sat 2-Sun 3 Aug
Pendennis Castle: Tue 5-Thu 7 Aug
Carisbrooke Castle: Tue 12-Thu 14 Aug
Bolsover Castle: Sat 23-Mon 25 Aug
Sat 23 Aug-Sun 21 Sep
Midsummer music
Spend a lazy weekend or a laid-back Sunday at our historic sites listening to live music. Bring your chairs or blankets to get comfy, grab a tasty treat from the café and enjoy a wonderful day relaxing to some soothing summer tunes. Each Sunday will bring a di erent genre to enjoy. Summer music at Audley End: Sat 23-Mon 25 Aug
Sunday music at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: Sun 31 Aug, Sun 7, Sun 14 and Sun 21 Sep
Sunday music at Brodsworth Hall: Sun 31 Aug, Sun 7, Sun 14 and Sun 21 Sep
Sunday music at Kenilworth Castle: Sun 7, Sun 21 and Sun 28 Sep
Until 5 Oct
Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits
John Singer Sargent was one of the most sought-a er artists of the Gilded Age. In Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits, 18 of his works have been brought together to reveal the stories of the American women who crossed the Atlantic to marry British aristocrats. Free for members. Book at english-heritage.org.uk/ kenwood-heiress-exhibition Kenwood, London
Dance the night away at a Proms in the Park live Dance Anthems event
Throughout 2025 Folktale Creature Trails
Discover the magical creatures from English legends on three exciting trails jam-packed with uttering fairies, fearsome dragons and other mythical beings. Each spellbinding adventure features six unique creatures to meet, and includes two captivating audio stories to enjoy when you get back home from our heritage sites. Complete a trail to earn a special certi cate marking your achievement. The trails are free to take part in, and will rotate to di erent locations throughout the year.
For details of the sites and trails, go to english-heritage.org.uk/folktalecreature-trails
Fri 29–Sun 31 Aug
BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair
Hosted by Audley End House and Gardens for the fourth time, the fair is packed with garden inspiration, expertise from a line-up including Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost, Frances Tophill, Arit Anderson and Rachel de Thame. There’s also plants to buy, hands-on workshops, shopping and entertainment. Members get discounted ticket prices and free parking. For details, go to english-heritage.org.uk/bbcgardeners-world-autumn-fair/ Audley End House and Gardens
Sat 11–Sun 12 Oct
Battle of Hastings
Step into the scene of England’s most famous battle. Watch warriors clash and mud y as more than 300 re-enactors bring the Battle of Hastings to life on the very spot it was fought in 1066. Explore the rival Saxon and Norman camps, see the chain mail and weaponry makers and meet the falconers and their birds. This event is very popular so book early at english-heritage.org.uk/ battle-of-hastings-2025 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battle eld
Book online
Tue 22 Jul-Wed 20 Aug
How to train your falcon
Watching the speed, agility and grace of birds of prey rst hand is an awe-inspiring experience. Join our falconers for spectacular displays as their birds soar and swoop overhead. You’ll also get the chance to chat to the falconers and see their hawks, owls and falcons as they rest in their period surroundings.
Warkworth Castle: Tue 22-Wed 23 Jul
Battle Abbey: Sat 2-Sun 3 Aug
Warkworth Castle: Tue 19-Wed 20 Aug
Don’t miss out. Find out about our full range of events and book at english-heritage.org. uk/whats-on
Did you know?
Prehistoric puzzles
Test your knowledge of the people and places associated with the prehistoric sites in our care
What were prehistoric houses constructed from?
A: Wood B: Mud C: Straw D: All the above
What is the largest stone circle in the world?
At Grime’s Graves, people mined which material around 4,500 years ago?
4 1 6 10 8 3 5 2
7
What is the name of the stone that the sun rises behind on the summer solstice at Stonehenge?
This impressive site is the oldest chalk figure in Britain, dating back nearly 3,000 years. What is it called?
When did people first start using gold in Britain?
A: Roman period
B: Medieval times C: Bronze Age D: Iron Age
Which stone circle is this? Where is it located?
What grain, grown during the Neolithic and Bronze Age, was used to make linen clothing?
A: Flax B: Barley C: Wheat
This strange, lunar landscape depicts what famous site? 9
Which famous architect carved his name into Stone 52 at Stonehenge?
a
Answers: 1: D, alll of the above. 2: Avebury in Wiltshire. 3:
Flawless black flint. 4: Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick, Cumbria.
5: Uffington White Horse. 6: C, at the start of the Bronze Age. 7: The Heel Stone 8: A, flax. 9: Grime’s Graves. 10: Sir Christopher Wren, who had
house nearby. He was inspired by the architecture of Stonehenge.
Volunteer voices Blooming marvel
At Beeston Castle, the cafe’s owerbeds have volunteer Martin Scrowther to thank for their beauty
Why did you decide to volunteer for English Heritage?
of enticing in casual passers-by as well as the more dedicated visitors.
It followed a family day out at Beeston Castle in 2020. During the visit, I got talking to some explainer volunteers at the roundhouse – the replica Bronze Age hut that had recently been completed. I’m a sucker for history and started as an explainer volunteer. However, not long a er starting, the whole site closed because of Covid.
How have people reacted?
Since the site and café reopened, the comments from sta and visitors have been lovely. It had been so overgrown that no one had seen the original shape of the beds.
So, what’s next?
Is that when you started on the owerbeds?
Yes, I had also volunteered at Grozone Community Garden in Northwich so had some experience in gardening. When the roundhouse closed, there was little to do there, so I decided to resurrect the owerbeds by the café, which sits outside the castle boundaries. They were pretty overgrown, but over the months I rebuilt the borders then started to plant them.
I’m keen to involve Grozone and other community groups with English Heritage. We could use their help to grow seeds and take cuttings and take forward projects to further enhance the café site. There’s also an area close to the roundhouse where volunteers are growing medicinal plants used in the Bronze Age.
What do you treasure most about volunteering?
How far have you got with the planting?
I’ve grown seeds at the greenhouse at Grozone and then taken cuttings and bulbs to plant out around the café. I’ve also got some containers on the decking with redcurrants and gooseberries. The café is just outside the castle perimeter, next to the Sandstone Trail – a popular walkers’ path – and it’s a stop-o for cyclists, too, so the ower displays are doing a great job
For me, volunteering is my chance to give something back to the community that I live in and care about. The support from English Heritage at Beeston has been fantastic, which is vitally important when you’re giving your time and e ort. The ability to be out in the fresh air, listening to all the birdsong, hearing the children laughing and playing knights and dragons, and talking to visitors, volunteers, sta and passers by on the Sandstone Trail are all things I treasure.
Volunteering has done wonders for my physical and mental health. I le full-time work in 2016 and love working outside a er a career spent con ned to an o ce.
to Martin Scrowther Volunteer gardener, Beeston Castle
