Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Winter Outings Part 2 – Our Heritage


A large number (though not all) of the many English Heritage Properties around the country do stay open for the winter season, although some venues do restrict their opening days and times during this period. Check out their website www.english-heritage.org.uk for details.

Remember English Heritage members get unlimited visits to all their properties throughout the year, so do take advantage of the different membership options available. Here is a selection of their properties to visit this winter.

Lullingstone Roman Villa, Kent is open Saturdays and Sundays between 5th November and 17th February, admission Adults £6, children £3.60. The excavated remains of this fascinating Roman Villa are housed within a modern, ‘protective’ building where you can view the great floor mosaic, an interesting selection of relics and watch an informative film. Children will love to play the Roman games and to dress up in costume.

Audley End, Essex, although the actual house is closed here for the winter, you can still view the extensive grounds and explore the service wing, including kitchens, dairy, dry larder and laundry, and the stables, which house a variety of interactive displays. This is one of my favourite places to visit with or without the house. Visiting between 3rd November and 17th February costs £9 for adult non-members and £5.40 for children.

Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich, is open from 10a.m. to 4p.m. during the winter season, £9.60 adults, £5.80 children. The striking house containing a wealth of Art Deco features and furnishings (you may recognise some of the rooms from episodes of Poirot) contrasts with the impressive Great Hall in the adjoining Medieval Palace. The gardens are a great place to wander too.

Amongst the castles under of the care of English Heritage that stay open for the winter are Dover Castle, Kent, Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight, Tintagel Castle, Cornwall and Carlisle Castle, Cumbria. Some of these only open at weekends at this time of year, so do check their website details.

Where do you like to visit during the winter months? Let me know, comments@shoppersjoy.co.uk

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