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.
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
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
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
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
Uncover a tale of two castles in Nottinghamshire
Discover the intriguing histories of Newark Castle and Nottingham Castle, and enjoy an easy journey between them on the Castle Line railway.
Location: Newark/Nottingham, Nottinghamshire