Castles and historic properties
Peacocks strut across manicured lawns, children shriek with delight as they try to find their way out of fiendishly difficult mazes, and well-kept gardens dazzle year-round at England’s many historic houses and well-preserved castles. Once inside, enthusiastic curators bring history to life with their expert knowledge and often funny insights into the lives, loves, and artefacts of generations of inhabitants. Castle breaks give you more chances of bumping into the present owners of an English castle, many of whom still live in wings of the properties. Just don’t forget to retrieve your children from that maze before you head home.
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- Seasons
See treasures from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
Every August and September, Buckingham Palace opens its doors, giving you a chance to explore the amazing art, décor and history within.
Location: Victoria, Greater London
Explore the Houses of Parliament's medieval Westminster Hall
Explore 1,000 years of British history on a tour of the Houses of Parliament, from the Westminster Palace to the Commons Chamber.
Location: Westminster, Greater London
See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London
See the stunning Crown Jewels on display at the historic Tower of London, and learn about their profound religious and cultural importance.
Location: Tower Hill, Greater London
Go behind the scenes of Manchester’s Town Hall
Explore the spectacular staterooms and corridors of the Victorian gothic-style Manchester Town Hall.
Location: Manchester, Greater Manchester
Relax in Thermae Bath Spa’s open air rooftop pool
Float in the open air rooftop pool at Britain’s only natural mineral-rich thermal spa and soak up the spectacular views over Bath.
Location: Bath, Somerset
Live a day in the life of a Tudor at St Nicholas Priory
Originally part of Exeter’s first medieval monastery, this splendid Grade I-listed building later became the Tudor home of a wealthy merchant family.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Discover a tale of forbidden love at Bessie Surtees' house
A tale of forbidden love to rival Romeo and Juliet is immortalised in Bessie Surtees’ 16th century house, tucked behind NewcastleGateshead's quayside
Location: Newcastle, Tyne and Wear
Visit the "most popular filming location in the world" in Greenwich, London
Explore the magnificent buildings of the Old Royal Naval College - a film set for major blockbusters including Les Misérables and Cinderella.
Location: Greenwich, London
Stand astride the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich
Stand with one foot in the east and one in the west and feel on top of the world at this historic observatory.
Location: Greenwich, London
Visit the real Wayne Manor in Nottingham
Wollaton Hall took on a very special role in when it appeared as ‘Wayne Manor’ in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Go on a tour of Oxford University
A host of famous alumni and one... Harry Potter?
Location: Oxford, Oxfordshire
Woo your loved one on the Lord Byron trail
Discover the romantic escapes of poet Lord Byron, England's most notorious romantic poet, on a visit to his ancestral heartland in Nottinghamshire.
Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Marvel at Liverpool’s architectural heritage
Stroll along the waterfront for some of Liverpool's many architectural treasures.
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside
Explore the Medieval walls of Lincoln Castle
With stunning city views and 1,000 years of history to take in, a walk around Lincoln Castle’s medieval walls is an unforgettable experience.
Location: Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Step into the magical world of JRR Tolkien
Celebrate this great literary mind by exploring his childhood haunts, the inspiration for literary classics Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Stay in John Betjeman’s old home
If you’re planning a weekend in London why not swap the same old hotel for something with a bit more history?
Location: London
Soak up the atmosphere and changing colours of Durham City
Wrap up warm and enjoy walks amongst a leafy Durham City this autumn, and discover the timeless magic of Crook Hall for a wonderfully English experience.
Location: Durham City, Durham
Discover where the 18th century’s greatest minds would meet
This lavish Georgian house in Birmingham was once the home of the industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton, leading member of the Lunar Society.
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Go ghost hunting in Newcastle Castle
Uncover the horrifying history and hauntings of the castle from which Newcastle gets its name.
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Explore the colourful history of Newcastle Castle
Step back in time to discover life through the ages, from the Norman invasion to Victorian slums, at the city’s recently revamped attraction.
Location: NewcastleGateshead, Tyne and Wear
Climb the grassy hill to iconic Penshaw Monument
Roam picturesque parkland, spy flamingos and otters, admire sculptures and climb the secret staircase of this famous monument for panoramic views.
Location: Penshaw and Washington, Tyne and Wear