A number of years ago when the boys were very small we decided to invest in lifetime membership of English Heritage. Nothing pleases us more than scrambling around old castles, playing a far-too-competitive game of ‘block’, exploring Abbeys and working out what each ‘room’ might have been used for. I’ll never forget 9yr old Jolly’s wide-eyed look of amazement when he suddenly understood, just from where he was standing, the principle of staggering gateways in castle defences to make attackers turn sideways – and therefore make them more vulnerable.
And every single turret with a winding stair is simply a challenge that cannot be turned away from. Counting the steps is optional, of course.
But the membership is not just for summer picnics and holiday outings – we use ours all the time locally, with a couple of really good places close enough for a couple of hours playing and rolling down hills of that kind of close-cropped special grass you only find in castle grounds. English Heritage properties aren’t just ‘special day trip’ venues. They’re there all the time, and to become familiar with them, and to see them as living breathing parts of our own heritage I feel changes your whole relationship with the past, and your understanding of our history.
My two boys exploring a castle together, a very long time ago. They’re 11 and 13 now – and they still stop and read the information on the boards together.
We recently worked out our average number of visits in a year (with local trips and maybe a couple of holidays) and we think we made our money a couple of summers ago. For us, with six to pay for, we would need to make 60 visits at 2014 prices. Over the last ten years we’ve easily done that when you throw in the fact that it covers the Welsh castles under CADW too.
So whilst it felt like a big investment (though do keep your eye out at properties you visit as they often have excellent deals on for membership), it ended up being a fabulous bargain of a deal – because one adult life membership allows in one adult guest, plus up to SIX children. So my husband bought a single membership, and now he can take the whole family in to every English Heritage property until the children turn 19 (at which point if they want to come and play block at Wardour Castle they can jolly well pay for themselves). We have a whole lifetime to explore the properties and battlefields and monuments – we’ve only scratched the surface of what we’d like to visit.
We’re right in the middle of a game of block. Boy is seeking us – I’m hiding behind the tree up here near the grotto, No.1 is behind another tree in the middle, and Jolly is over on the castle steps.
I mostly love that unlike a lot of historical ‘museums’, in an English Heritage property there’s very little restriction on the children – they’re free to roam and explore. To read the information that interests them, to enact sword fights on the stairs and to hide in every. single. bread. oven. It’s like they’re absorbing the history through their skin – they just can’t help it.
So when English Heritage got in touch to ask if we’d like to give away some family annual memberships, I *might* have bitten their hand off. Personally, it’s one of my very favourite prize packages we’ve ever given away!
To be in with a chance to win one of FIVE English Heritage Annual Family Pass the entry is oh-so-easy – just use the Rafflecopter box below, there’s all the usual sociable Rafflecopter entry options with tweets and facebooking and the like.
The closing date for this competition is 24th October 2014 and only entries received on or before that date can be included. The five prize winners will be the first randomly selected entries. Good luck!
NOW CLOSED
19 September 2014
We went to Calke Abbey which is a wonderful National Trust property.It is particularly famous for the beautiful four poster bed which was never used because it was too tall to fit in any of the bedrooms! Now contained in a glass display case the colours are remarkable.
19 September 2014
We are lifetime members too and love English Heritage. The annual membership is brilliant value, especially if you have children who go free. With Halloween just around the corner, I recommend visiting EH’s top five most haunted sites:
1) 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
2) Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
3) Dover Castle
4) Portland Castle
5) Whitby Abbey
21 September 2014
whitby abbey
19 September 2014
Norton Priory :-)
19 September 2014
We visited Newark castle, beautiful town with lots of history x
19 September 2014
We loved exploring the Naze Tower at Walton on the Naze :)
19 September 2014
Carisbrooke Castle here on the Isle of Wight is always full of fantastic history xx
19 September 2014
We visited Bamburgh Castle in Nortumberland, most amazing place with white beaches and huge sand dunes below.
19 September 2014
We had a pleasant day at Richmond Castle.
19 September 2014
We took the train to the top of Mount Snowdon and then read all about how they built a railway to the top of a mountain!
19 September 2014
been all over the country looking at heritage sites it would be a perfect holiday but for the lack of sun
19 September 2014
Stonehenge is such a magical place. We visited at sunrise and it felt truly empowering.
19 September 2014
Warwick Castle was amazing. Loved the theme event, the day we went. Nephew’s eyes were on stalks most of the day (!)
19 September 2014
We went to Conwy Castle and it was BRILL, scary high turrets, dive bombing sea gulls beautiful scenery!
19 September 2014
The best place this year has to be Whitley court and its amazing fountain ,just Magical
19 September 2014
Wrest Park, our favourite English Heritage property & just 20mins drive from us. We love it there & regularly go there for picnics with the kids.
19 September 2014
We went to Calshot Castle!
19 September 2014
We love Beeston Castle
19 September 2014
we went to warwick castle, dudley zoo and castle and also climbed brent knoll in somerset in the 6 weeks school hols
19 September 2014
We went to Beeston Castle.
19 September 2014
this would be amazing love england has some great historical and beautiful sites be great to be able take kids to visit more often
19 September 2014
We loved Warwick Castle this summer!
19 September 2014
york castle
19 September 2014
We had a summer packed with history actually. We visited stone henge with the kids which was special and then we visited Old Sarum which was even more special – quieter and just a perfect spot for a summer picnic. We’ve also stayed at castles this summer like Thornbury castle and learned about the history of the docks when we visted liverpool. So all in all a very historic summer!
19 September 2014
Bodiam Castle is our local favourite as it has a lot to offer inside the buildings, outside the buildings, as well as in the grounds. Ah, don’t forget the moat – it’s full of ducks and fish galore!
19 September 2014
We went to Caernarfon Castle
19 September 2014
We went to the Charles Darwin House
19 September 2014
Hampton Court and the maze !
19 September 2014
Pevensey Castle in East Sussex :-)
19 September 2014
we had a lovely day at Ludlow castle and food fayre
19 September 2014
We loved our visit to Knowle in Sevenoaks
19 September 2014
We visited Tilbury Fort – it’s right on our doorstep, but until recently I wasn’t aware of it. Well kept, great access, very interesting!
19 September 2014
visiting the sights in paris
19 September 2014
We took the children to Stonehenge this year too see what they thought of it and how they thought the stones came to be there. Great fun and I love the way that little peoples minds think!
19 September 2014
The Natural History Museum in London
20 September 2014
We visited Hampton Court Palace and Osterley House. We really enjoyed the old kitchen at Hampton Court.
20 September 2014
Viking Centre in York
20 September 2014
we went to Hampton Court and the Tower of London
20 September 2014
We explored the lake district
20 September 2014
Hi! We didn’t go anywhere as little but was born at the end of May and we couldn’t get out much, we would love a pass for ourselves and my mum who will be looking after him come December.
20 September 2014
We enjoyed Pickering Castle, we love walking around castles and getting into the history of the places we visit, we love the audio in some of the castles we visit, telling us of the history, it alawys makes an enjoyable day out. We would love to rejoin English Heritage to visit lots more fantastic places. Thank you so much for the giveaway xxx
20 September 2014
We loved Whitby Abbey. Stunning place, stunning views and great activities for the kids.
20 September 2014
Dunstanburgh and Bamburgh Castles in Northumberland
20 September 2014
Vindalanda in Northumberland
20 September 2014
Osborn House, Isle of wight. brilliant.
20 September 2014
We had a fabulous day out at warwick castle, so much to see and do.
20 September 2014
morton manor in Cheshire was a really enjoyable day out
20 September 2014
Wray Castle in the Lake District.
20 September 2014
We visited Bolsover Castle and had a great day out. There were lots of activities for children including children tablet audio guides
20 September 2014
stokesay castle is by far my favourite- just like the castles in fairy tales
20 September 2014
We are members of the National Trust and went to lots of fab places this summer including the White Cliffs of Dover, Ightam Mote and Chartwell.
21 September 2014
We love visiting tyntesfield house in somerset, somewhere to walk the dog too x
21 September 2014
We love Dover Castle in the summer
21 September 2014
We went to St Fagans National History Museum and Cardiff Castle in Wales, they were both great for kids.
21 September 2014
We went to the Royal Gunpowder Mills and learnt about the history of Gunpowder in War. Also we saw an Elizabethan Re-enactment Group in Hatfield Forest.
21 September 2014
A trip to Warwick Castle!
21 September 2014
We visit Powys castle quite frequently, very interesting and informative talks by the guides to the children and adults> Well laid out gardens to the children to learn out gardening and planting and how to create your own garden with the plants they have used.These place are wonderful for opening children’s eyes to learn and interact with people who have a passion for the places, far more so that sitting behind desk.
21 September 2014
My little boy loves going to Dover Castle, He loves the underground tunnel tour as He has a real interest in World War 2. The whole history of the Castle is fascinating!
21 September 2014
My daughters really enjoy visiting Orford Castle especially hearing about the Orford Merman in the basement room.
21 September 2014
We enjoyed Ludlow Castle
21 September 2014
We love Peveril Castle, its quite nearby and nice to call in there, stomp up the big hill and sit at the top somewhere looking out over the amazing view of Castleton and the valley and Mam Tor ridge beyond.
21 September 2014
we visited chester fort, it was fantastic
21 September 2014
We all went to Warwick castle – Great family day out!
21 September 2014
Dunster Castle in Somerset
21 September 2014
We visited Kenilworth Castle & absoultely loved it. The shop sells knights outfit so my son was very happy!
21 September 2014
My husband and I had a day at Stonehenge and really enjoyed it. As we left our 3 year old with my parents we really got to learn about it without being distracted!
21 September 2014
Corfe castle
21 September 2014
We did a guided fossil hunt on the Isle of Wight. Really inspired the whole family.
21 September 2014
Unfortunately we haven’t been able to get anywhere this year but last enjoyed enjoyed Osbourne House and the castle on the Isle of Wight :)
22 September 2014
We had a fab time at the Tower of London.So much to see we went twice on our visit ti London
21 September 2014
we had a fab time at Goodwood revival
22 September 2014
We went to Poole Museum and saw the longboat x
22 September 2014
We live just down the road from Stonehenge and finally got round to taking our son to see it up close. He loved it.
22 September 2014
We went to the Tower of London and learnt a lot about history! :)
22 September 2014
My kids love St Fagans
22 September 2014
St Fagans what a great place my kids love it.
22 September 2014
we went to the headland in hartlepool, as this was the first place to be bombed in the war
22 September 2014
we like Harlech castle, very insteresting
22 September 2014
We had fun at Kenilworth Castle watching the reds versus the blues
22 September 2014
we had a fantastic day out to Denbigh Castle and how super it was. We watched a medieval re enactment group do a demonstration and a talk on weapons about the era. My 10 year old son loved every minute.
22 September 2014
On a day to the seaside we visited Dover Castle it was a fantastic trip to the past, the kids loved it
22 September 2014
fountains abbey is one of our favourite – lovely place to have a walk round and picnic :)
22 September 2014
My family enjoyed visiting Hinckley museum
22 September 2014
We went to the Somme museum in France and to some of the war graves – incredibly moving
22 September 2014
Corfe castle IS STUNNING
23 September 2014
As family members of the National Trust we take our 5 & 6 year olds to lots of historic properties around the UK. Their favourite which we visit at least once a month is Belton House – although that is probably due to the adventure playground!
23 September 2014
had a great day at whitby abbey
23 September 2014
Norwich Castle in our home town.
23 September 2014
Burton Agnes in Yorkshire
23 September 2014
We didn’t manage to get out much this summer, but we did have a really interesting day at Castle Howard :)
23 September 2014
Bedes World Saxon farm in Jarrow/Hebburn.
24 September 2014
We very much enjoyed Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.
24 September 2014
we introduced our three year old to whitby.
24 September 2014
we did a few around our area, leeds castle, tower of london and windsor castle
24 September 2014
Stonehenge. x
24 September 2014
Speke hall, liverpool
25 September 2014
I took my grandchildren to The Black Country Living Museum. Nice to see how our grandparents lived.
25 September 2014
We visited the centre of life in Newcastle. Had a great time
25 September 2014
We visited Lyme Park House and Gardens, it’s so pretty there, especially when all the flowers are in bloom. Love being able to see all the deer roaming as well.
25 September 2014
Tamworth castle
26 September 2014
we went to warwick castle
26 September 2014
Leeds Castle-liked it so much went twice this summer!
26 September 2014
We went to the local lifeboat day and learnt all about the history of the lifeboat. We also went to trerice house and dressed up as tudors and watched a tudor falconry display
27 September 2014
Carlisle Castle. We live here but had never taken the kids before
28 September 2014
So many to choose from, Tower of London, Dover Castle, Hampton Court, Blickling Hall, Oxburgh Hall but fave was Felbrigg Hall by far
1 October 2014
Caerphilly Castle
2 October 2014
Corfe castle with the family xx
2 October 2014
We went to Belsay – he most magical place in the world – and imagined ourselves as knights of old in the quarry garden
5 October 2014
We went round Hatfield House a couple of times this Summer, it is a fun place for children.
5 October 2014
Trerice Manor house in Cornwall. Just love it, just the right size without anyone getting bored!
7 October 2014
The Bank of England museum
9 October 2014
we went to the Tower Of London x
9 October 2014
Dover Castle
9 October 2014
We went to Sizergh Castle. I love it there.
12 October 2014
corfe castle – local and always good
12 October 2014
Tower Of London
13 October 2014
Gawsworth Hall, fascinating
13 October 2014
The natural history museum. One of my favourites!
14 October 2014
Ironbridge – it’s right on our doorstep and we’d never been until this summer. We had a fab family day out and will be back again soon as there’s so much to see and do.m
14 October 2014
tower of London
14 October 2014
We took the family to see Hampton Court Palace and learnt about Henry VIII. We had to edit some of the shannanigans in earshot of the children tho ;)
16 October 2014
Tower of London – was fab and the kids thoroughly enjoyed it :)
16 October 2014
The amazing Tower of London with all its poppies.
18 October 2014
We went to see the ruin of a church, they loved exploring it and being out in the open
18 October 2014
we went to leeds castle loved it :)
18 October 2014
Looking around brownsea island.
18 October 2014
We went to Blenheim Palace
18 October 2014
warwick castle
19 October 2014
Leeds Castle !
19 October 2014
warwick
20 October 2014
Bodiam Castle-really picturesque
20 October 2014
The Tower of London helping to plant the poppies FAB!
20 October 2014
Upton Park House, Lacock Abbey plus loads of others
20 October 2014
Osterley Park and House Isleworth was awesome!
21 October 2014
Leeds Castle, lovely grounds to walk around too.
21 October 2014
For my birthday, we had an access all areas ticket to Stonehenge. The kids loved playing hide and seek around the stones. Great times.
Old Wardour is family favourite and Corfe Castle with a trip on the steam train first!
21 October 2014
I loved Lincoln Castle- well worth the journey and great town to visit too- loads of Roman history.
21 October 2014
We went to Stonehenge and learnt lots while we were there
21 October 2014
Tower of London!
22 October 2014
We’d loved our trip to stonehenge.
22 October 2014
We went to Leeds Castle, lovely day :)
22 October 2014
Whitby Abbey
22 October 2014
we went to dudley castle.
22 October 2014
Warwick Castle
22 October 2014
Ironbridge Gorge
22 October 2014
we had a fantastic time at sudbury hall
22 October 2014
love english heritage – even their shops :-D
22 October 2014
Pendennis Castle
22 October 2014
The Royal Pavillion, Brighton
23 October 2014
Corfe castle – we went on a day with a battle reenactment – it was fabulous! All of the family enjoyed it
23 October 2014
Hever Castle. Loved it!
23 October 2014
Wrest Park in Bedfordshire
23 October 2014
Stonehenge
23 October 2014
Waddesdon manor, stowe gardens, Lindisfarne , Bamburgh Castle , Alnwick Castle, Cragside, we were pretty busy over the holidays
23 October 2014
A visit to Castle Drogo in Devon to look at the restoration
23 October 2014
Bodium castle
23 October 2014
We live in the World Heritage city of Bath, so history is ever-present in our daily lives. We love to pretend we are a Roman family, walking across intricate mosaics towards the smelly/invigorating baths, after a hard day of marching and taming the locals; or imagine we are a rich Georgian family travelling not in a pushchair but a sedan chair as we take tea after we have shopped for groceries. Every day, the past informs our present.
23 October 2014
tower of london
23 October 2014
Natural History museum plus loads of country houses :)
23 October 2014
The Vyne in Basingstoke is beautiful in the summer, especially if you bag a deck chair by the river!
23 October 2014
We had a wonderful informative day out at Battle Abbey, a beautiful place
23 October 2014
We’re lucky to live near Avebury, so we visited there, Silbury Hill and West Kennet Longbarrow a few times over the summer :-)
23 October 2014
Warwick Castle
23 October 2014
We had a great day at Blist Hill
23 October 2014
Battle Abbey.
23 October 2014
We went to Hastings at Easter. Very interesting.
23 October 2014
Kenilworth Castle
23 October 2014
we went to carlise castle and loved it there was some old tanks in the grounds and had our photo taken with them as well different 2 lots of history in one loved all the war memorbilla
23 October 2014
Warwick Castle and Castle Howard both different to each other but both interesting to look around for yiung and ild
23 October 2014
Pendennis Castle in Falmouth Cornwall was a brilliant family day
23 October 2014
I love Warwick Castle
23 October 2014
We love Leeds castle and love the gardens as well as the castle. We try and see somewhere every school holidays… as its half term next week we off to the Tower of London. Firstly to see the poppies and then the crown jewels…
23 October 2014
We went to bowes castle
23 October 2014
We went to Richmond Castle as part of a UK road trip. Amazing place!
23 October 2014
We always enjoy our visits to Audley End with its beautiful house and its huge gardens
23 October 2014
we had a lovely sunny day at Blists Hill – part of the Ironbride Gorge Museums
23 October 2014
We went to Corfe Castle which was great
23 October 2014
We live in Somerset & went to the lovely Muchelney Abbey and also Sherborne Old Castle during the summer x
23 October 2014
We go quite a lot to Warwick Castle, Ive been going since i was a child and my children love it there to. Because we don’t drive we get the train there and find it very easy, its a great family day out.
23 October 2014
We visited Caerphilly castle over the summer, my son loved it.
23 October 2014
We went to loads of places but Holy Island was really interesting
23 October 2014
we went to Tintagel – it was amazing
23 October 2014
We were lucky enough to visit the Tower of London this year and were treated to attending the Ceremony of the Keys, which was fantastic.
23 October 2014
Went to Conwy Castle.
23 October 2014
Castle Rising in Norfolk
23 October 2014
My daughter studied the Romans at school in the summer term so we had a fantastic trip to Verulamium Park and museum in St Albans.
23 October 2014
We went to Sewerby Hall near Bridlington
23 October 2014
warick castle
23 October 2014
Old Sarum – on one of their jousting days :-)
23 October 2014
Pendennis Castle in Falmouth is a great place to visit
23 October 2014
We went to Richmond Castle
23 October 2014
We all went to Pendennis Castle in Falmouth,on a Rainy Summers Day and had a Whale of a Time watching REAL Pirates fighting each other in battles,and we even helped chase the Baddies away!!
23 October 2014
We made the most of our current English Heritage membership on a holiday to the Isle of Wight – Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle were both amazing days out!
23 October 2014
We went to Kenilworth Castle, Portchester castle and Arundel Castle which were all brilliant.
23 October 2014
Went to Hampton Court
23 October 2014
We explored edinburgh castle
23 October 2014
Going to Knight School at Battle Abbey!
23 October 2014
Dover Castle family day out….very nice
23 October 2014
Holy lsland is not to be missed
23 October 2014
Warwick Castle
23 October 2014
We have spent a few wonderful days exploring Whitby Abbey over the summer. The setting is gorgeous, the abbey itself is stunning but it’s the wonderful staff that make it such a great experience. They have loads of great events and make such an effort to engage the kids. My girls adore it – the toddler loved being a knight and my eldest was fascinated by the performance of Dracula.
24 October 2014
Glamis Castle in Angus, Scotland- the birth place of the Queen Mother :-)
24 October 2014
We have not visited any castles this summer but did have a fabulous trip to Bath and visited the royal bathhouse which was amazing
24 October 2014
We visited Nottingham Castle – which is alot more interesting than I realised!
24 October 2014
We visited Corfe Castle – very interesting
24 October 2014
We went to the burial mounds at Sutton Hoo
24 October 2014
Framlingham castle was pretty cool.
24 October 2014
We went to Corfe Castle
24 October 2014
The jousting fair at Bodylwydden castle (North Wales) was spectacular!
24 October 2014
We went to Dover Castle. There was lots to explore and experience. We had a fabulous day!
24 October 2014
We visited Pendennis castle. Had a lovely day and the kids really enjoyed it too!
24 October 2014
We went the Conisbrough Castle in Doncaster, we went to show my son where my grandparents got engaged.
24 October 2014
We went to Conwyn Castle in North Wales. The kids loved it, especially the challenge you can complete to get a badge at the end
24 October 2014
Bodylwydden castle
24 October 2014
Stonehenge was perfect for the summer – the children loved it!
24 October 2014
Corfe Castle for us in such a pretty place!
24 October 2014
We visited Warwick castle this summer it was spectacular!!
24 October 2014
We visited Portchester Castle
24 October 2014
must go to Stonehenge
24 October 2014
we went to kenilworth castle
24 October 2014
Alnwick castle with my boys
24 October 2014
Visited Portsmouth docks and learnt about the history of the Mary Rose
24 October 2014
Leeds castle, a great place to visit, lots to do
24 October 2014
Tynemouth castle and priory
24 October 2014
I love Eltham Palace’s striking interiors
24 October 2014
I took my nephews and niece to Windsor castle, they had a great time. The older ones enjoyed the history a little more- 16 year olds and that little one’s 3 and 6 loved trying to run away at every opportunity!
24 October 2014
We did a few this summer, but our favourite was Scarborough Castle, loved it
24 October 2014
Kenilworth Castle was a new day out for us.
24 October 2014
We visited Windsor Castle
24 October 2014
We explored our local historical site – Burough Hill.
24 October 2014
We loved Warwick Castle