Family Days Out

Family Days Out

Looking for somewhere where you and the family can get out in the fresh air together and create memories? Our special historic places offer extraordinarily good value and are full of heart-warming adventures for parents and children alike.

Experience the beauty of autumn at our breathtaking castles, abbeys and stately homes, or stretch little legs and fire up imaginations with our family events and activities.

Read on for tips and suggestions and to find out what's on. Find a site near you and book your tickets today.

SEARCH FOR FAMILY DAYS OUT

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A young girl cheers with a massive smile on her face and her arms in the air as she explores the play area at Dover Castle. She's wearing red-and-white striped leggings, a denim shirt and sandals.

Our best history-themed playgrounds

Once you've finished exploring a castle, or wandering through the grounds of a stately home, head to one of our unique, history-themed play areas so your little adventurers can burn off their extra energy.

We've picked out our favourite outdoor playgrounds for you and your family to discover.

Let's play!
A smiling family of four walk through the Palace Gate at Dover Castle.

Top 10 castles

We asked English Heritage members which of our castles were their favourites. These are the results.

Check out which castles our members love and the reasons they think these unique sites are the best.

Check out the top 10
A young boy and girl peep over an ancient wall at Old Sarum in Wiltshire.

Brilliant family days out for under £20

Looking for a family experience that won't break the bank?

From mighty Norman castles to atmospheric abbeys, we've listed our top picks for English Heritage family days out on a budget.

Days out on a budget

Explore our magical gardens in autumn

From the afternoons Queen Victoria spent painting landscapes at Osborne to the 19th-century loos built in Brodsworth's backyard, discover how our gardens have been shaped by history.

This autumn, pull on your wellies and take a walk through our historic gardens as the leaves fall and the autumn colours show off our amazing sites in this, the most magical of the seasons.

Find a garden
Photo of two children walking through Audley End House in Essex

MEMBERS RECOMMEND: BEST SITES FOR KIDS

Happy kids equals happy parents! We asked our members which sites are their children's favourites.

Did your favourite make it onto the list?

Find a site near you

Family Guides

Inspiration and top tips for visiting

It can be tricky to plan a day out with the little ones. To give you peace of mind for your visit, we've prepared helpful guides packed with useful info. Browse the guides, find out what you can look forward to, and get the answers to questions about our facilities at some of our favourite historic places.

Browse all family guides

More to Explore

  • Top 5 things to do in September

    This September, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help inspire your visits. Enjoy a host of showstopping events, find inspiration for family days out or uncover places that have inspired iconic English literature.

  • Things to do on a rainy day

    If you're looking for rainy-day ideas, we have plenty of historic places in which the family can hide, play and enjoy a great day out, whatever the weather may have in store.

  • Members do more

    Help to keep the story of England's history alive for future generations. Join today and enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historic places, for yourself and up to six children.