Experience Britain’s past with English Heritage this May

In May, visitors can walk in the shoes of a great monarch, don the armour of a jousting knight, or wear the leather apron of a medieval surgeon among others. English Heritage has drawn up a host of events that allow visitors to participate in depicting scenes from the past.

Visitors will get the chance to walk in the footsteps of Elizabeth I in the newly re-created 16th century garden at Kenilworth Castle, built by Lord Robert Dudley, the Earl of Leicester to secure the affections of the most eligible bachelorette in history. A Victorian beach-day at Audley End, featuring Punch and Judy shows, traditional beach games, and ice cream is a possibility now.

For family fun running the gamut from the genteel to the gruesome English Heritage has the following events lined up:

GRAND RE-LAUNCH OF GARDEN, Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
(Saturday 2 May – Monday 4 May, 11am – 5pm)
An Elizabethan pageant of music and spectacle launches the re-creation of the magnificent 16th century garden designed by the Earl of Leicester to woo Queen Elizabeth I. A gilded aviary with pheasants, canaries and guinea fowl, perfumed plants, and a spectacular marble fountain complete with a trick water jet, are among the highlights of the garden. Watch displays of falconry, plays and courtly chivalry as Queen Elizabeth herself inspects the new garden.
Prices: Adults £8.50/ Concessions £7.50/ Children £5.00/ Family Ticket £22.00

CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL, Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire
Sunday 24 – Friday 29 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
Kids can be a knight of the realm, take part in circus skills workshops, enjoy puppet shows, falconry displays, have their face painted, follow the treasure trail, play games and have a whale of a time making sand castles at a Victorian beach.

FAIRY TRAIL FOR CHILDREN, Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire
(Saturday 2 – Monday 4 May (Bank Holiday), 10am – 5.30pm)
Concealed within these enchanting gardens are mini model Victorian fairies who promise a fun sticker to those who can find them.
Prices: Adults £8.30 / Concessions £7.10 / Children £4.20 

ROMAN SOLDIER’S DRILL, Chesters Roman Fort
(Saturday 2 – Monday 4 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 4pm)
A chance for youngsters to join the Roman Army with the fully armoured Legionary, who will put them through their paces.
Prices: Adults £4.50 / Concessions £3.80 / Children £2.30

A GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST, Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
(Sunday 3 & Monday 4 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm) 
Enjoy the thrills and spills of medieval jousting – the biggest event of the year at Bolsover Castle promising a real battle of skills on horseback, foot combat and the medieval joust itself.
Booking recommended, call 0870 333 1183
Prices: Adults £10.00 / Concessions £8.50 / Children £5.00 / Family Ticket £25.00

MEDIEVAL WORST JOBS, Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Sunday 3 & Monday 4 May, 11am – 5pm
Meet a colourful cast of characters from the medieval period. Hear tales of horrid tasks and awful jobs, from peasants to our own medieval surgeon which are likely to be both gripping and repulsive.
Prices: Adults £5.50 / Concessions £4.70 / Children £2.80 / Family Ticket £13.80

VICTORIAN BEACH LIFE AT AUDLEY END, Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May, 11am – 5pm
Take a trip to the Victorian beach at Audley End. Enjoy traditional seaside activities, Victorian style, with Punch and Judy, beach games, ice creams and plenty of sandy fun for all. Prices: Adults £10.70 / Concessions £9.10 / Children £5.40 / Family Ticket £26.80

ART DECO FAIR, Eltham Palace, London
Saturday 9 May, 12pm – 5pm & Sunday 10 May, 10am – 5pm
Returning for another year due to popular demand, the Art Deco Fair gives visitors the opportunity to buy original 1930s objects in the Art Deco surroundings of Eltham Palace.Prices: Adults £8.30 / Concessions £7.10 / Children £4.20 / Family Ticket £20.80

WWII WEEKEND, Dover Castle, Kent
Saturday 23 – Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 10am – 5pm
To mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day, join us at Dover Castle for our WWII Weekend. Experience the living history encampments and find out what life was really like from English, German and French soldiers. Throughout the day watch skirmishes, practice your drill with Sergeant de Forges, and take instruction from a WWII nurse to learn how to dress a wound. Booking recommended, call 0870 333 1183
Prices: Adults £10.00 / Concessions £8.00 / Children £5.00 / Family Ticket £25.00

THE ENGLISH VILLAGE GREEN, Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Saturday 23 – Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
The English Village Green comes to life at Audley End with fun activities for the whole family. Try your hand at a traditional coconut shy or hoopla. Meet Mr Alexander and enjoy magic shows at his travelling theatre or take part in games and races with prizes given by none other than Queen Victoria herself!
Prices: Adults £10.70 / Concessions £9.10 / Children £5.40 / Family Ticket £26.80 

WARTIME WEEKEND, Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
Saturday 23 – Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
The Northern World War II Association brings over 100 soldiers and civilians for our spectacular 1940s Wartime Weekend in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. With two explosive battle re-enactments each day, children’s activities, 1940s music, sing alongs and demonstrations on the ABC of UXB, visitors should prepare to be amazed!
Booking recommended, call 0870 333 1183
Prices: Adults £6.00 / Concessions £5.00 / Children £4.00 / Family Ticket £16.00

MEDIEVAL COURTLY PLEASURES AND PURSUITS, Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
Sunday 24 & Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
Get caught up in the buzz of activity at Bolsover Castle as you enter the genteel yet cut-throat world of the medieval court. Observe as costumed ladies and nobles demonstrate the refined pursuits of singing, dancing and storytelling. Equally, the darker side of medieval life will be on display as you watch medieval knights being armed for combat, before clashing in a Tournament of Foot and demonstrating the skills of war.
Prices: Adults £7.00 / Concessions £6.00 / Children £3.50 / Family Ticket £17.50 

WARTIME WEEKEND, Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Sunday 24 & Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
To mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day. The highlight of each day will be a parachute drop by the Royal Artillery Parachute Display team and a aerial display by a WW2 aircraft. 
Prices: Adults £8.50 / Concessions £6.50 / Children £4.50 / Family Ticket £21.50

ROMAN WARRIORS & SOLDIERS, Birdoswald Roman Fort, Cumbria
Sunday 24 & Monday 25 May (Bank Holiday), 11am – 5pm
Come face to face with Roman soldiers from the time of the invasion of Britain to the end of Roman rule. Witness the drill and tactics of these soldiers. Plus, marvel at the skill and horsemanship of a fast paced duo of cavalry soldiers from this epic period in history.
Prices: Adults £5.70 / Concessions £4.50 / Children £3.50

For further information, visit  www.english-heritage.org.uk