English Heritage


A Brief History

You may have heard of English Heritage, a charitable organisation which cares for over 400 historic places in England, such as medieval castles, prehistoric sites, historic houses and Roman forts.

English Heritage was created in 1983 under the National Heritage Act, which established the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. The new organisation began managing many historic sites that had previously been overseen by the British government.

Until 2015, English Heritage looked after historic properties and served as the government's heritage protection body. After a restructuring, English Heritage became a charitable trust, while the government body responsible for heritage protection became Historic England.



Why Their Work Matters

Many of England’s historic buildings and monuments are hundreds, or even thousands of years old. Maintaining them requires constant conservation work, archaeological research and careful site management.

English Heritage plays a vital role in protecting these places from decay, environmental damage and neglect.



English Heritage Membership

For anyone planning multiple visits to castles, abbeys and historic monuments, membership can offer excellent value.

Membership includes:

  • Unlimited access to more than 400 historic sites—explore freely, return often and discover something new every time
  • Free entry for children on family memberships
  • Discounts in shops and cafés at many locations
  • Exclusive members’ events, tours, and behind-the-scenes experiences
  • A quarterly members’ magazine and digital content
  • Free or discounted entry to special events at selected sites


Overseas Visitor Pass

For travellers visiting England from abroad, English Heritage also offers the English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass. This pass is designed specifically for visitors from outside the UK who want to experience multiple historic locations during a short trip.

The pass provides:

  • Unlimited entry to English Heritage sites for either 9 or 16 consecutive days
  • Access to famous castles, abbeys, Roman sites and prehistoric monuments
  • A convenient way to explore multiple locations without paying individual admission fees

As you can see, the pass can provide significant savings while allowing flexible access to some of the country’s most iconic attractions.


Reciprocal Agreements 

One of the lesser-known advantages of membership is access to a wide network of reciprocal agreements with other heritage organisations. These arrangements allow English Heritage members to enjoy free or discounted admission at historic sites outside England.

Within the British Isles, reciprocal agreements exist with organisations such as:

  • Cadw
  • Historic Scotland
  • Manx National Heritage
  • Historic Environment Division Northern Ireland

Members receive half-price admission during their first year and free entry after renewing their membership.



Step into England’s story through more than 400 remarkable historic sites, where every castle, abbey and monument brings the past vividly to life.


Join today and play your part in protecting these irreplaceable places—while unlocking unforgettable days out across England.

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