As guardians of over 400 historic sites across England, English Heritage promises a gateway to the nation's rich and diverse heritage. However, the question remains: does the investment truly pay off?
At first glance, the perks of an English Heritage membership are pretty enticing. Members gain unlimited access to iconic landmarks such as Stonehenge, Dover Castle, and Hadrian's Wall, among others. The prospect of parking for free, skipping queues, and enjoying exclusive events adds an air of exclusivity to the experience. Furthermore, with the membership fee supporting the preservation of these sites for future generations, there's a sense of contributing to a noble cause.
There are, however, nuances that require further consideration. For frequent travelers and history enthusiasts, the membership could be a ticket to endless exploration and learning. For those with limited time or residing far from English Heritage sites, on the other hand, the value proposition may falter. Additionally, while the membership grants access to a plethora of sites, many of the most popular attractions, like Stonehenge, now require advanced booking — a factor that may deter spontaneous visits.
In this blog, I provide a thorough exploration of the intricacies related to English Heritage memberships, dissecting its benefits, drawbacks, and various factors to consider before making the purchase. Whether you're a history buff, an avid traveler, or simply curious about unlocking England's storied past, the information provided will help you determine the true value of this membership.
Table of Contents
What is English Heritage?
English Heritage is a charitable organization dedicated to preserving and promoting England's rich and diverse historic heritage. While officially established in 1983, the original founders for the concept were amassing relevant buildings and sites since 1882. Today, English Heritage operates as a statutory body responsible for managing over 400 historic sites, monuments, and buildings across the country.
The organization's mission is to protect, maintain, and showcase England's historic treasures, spanning from prehistoric landmarks to medieval castles, grand country houses, and industrial sites. These sites represent a tapestry of England's history, culture, and architectural achievements, offering insights into the nation's past and helping to shape its identity.
English Heritage also takes on the crucial role of conserving these historic assets for future generations, ensuring that they remain accessible and intact. This involves ongoing conservation efforts, maintenance work, and restoration projects to safeguard the structural integrity and cultural significance of each site.
In addition to conservation, English Heritage is committed to promoting public awareness and appreciation of England's heritage. It provides educational resources, exhibitions, guided tours, and special events to engage visitors and deepen their understanding of the country's history and culture.
Furthermore, English Heritage plays a vital role in advocating for heritage preservation and planning policies, working closely with government agencies, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure the protection and sustainable management of historic sites.
Through its various initiatives and programs, the organization strives to make England's heritage accessible to all, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the past among individuals and communities. Whether through exploring iconic landmarks, attending educational events, or participating in conservation efforts, English Heritage invites people to engage with and celebrate the wealth of history that England has to offer. Ultimately, the organization serves as a guardian of the nation's heritage, preserving it for future generations to discover and enjoy.
Benefits
An English Heritage membership offers several benefits that may be appealing to history enthusiasts, families, and avid travelers alike. Here's a simplified list:
Unlimited access to over 400 historic sites
Free parking in English Heritage car parks
Families receive free entry for up to six children
Discounts at some affiliated locations
Free Members' Handbook and Members' Magazine
Free or reduced entry pricing for events
Rewards offers on other great brands
One of the primary advantages of an English Heritage membership is unlimited access to over 400 historic sites and landmarks across England. From majestic castles and ancient ruins to stately homes and gardens, members have the freedom to explore a diverse range of attractions that span centuries of history. This unlimited access allows members to delve deep into England's rich heritage, uncovering hidden gems and iconic landmarks at their leisure.
While you can access a full list of English Heritage sites on the organization's website, members enjoy easy access to the following types of locations:
84 Ecclesiastical Sites
66 Castles
58 Prehistoric Sites
53 Roman Sites
47 London Statues
47 Halls, Houses, and Domestic Dwellings
27 Forts and Defenses
23 Historic Gardens
13 Agricultural and Industrial Sites
7 Palaces
6 Historical Bridges
3 Municipal Buildings
2 Hill Figures
Notably, the English Heritage website provides a simple location sorting system. You can search for a place, town, or postcode, making it extremely easy to incorporate site visits into your travel plans. You're also able to filter options by popularity, type, and the facilities offered.
*Keen observers are likely to notice that this part of the site only lists 385 place(s) to visit...honestly, I'm not entirely sure why this is. My best guess is that some of the sites managed by English Heritage are not available for visitation at this time.
In addition to admission to historic sites, an English Heritage membership provides exclusive access to member-only events, tours, and exhibitions. These special events offer unique opportunities to learn more about England's history and culture, with behind-the-scenes tours, expert-led lectures, and hands-on activities that enrich the visitor experience.
Another significant benefit of membership is the convenience and savings it offers. Members enjoy complimentary parking at most English Heritage sites, saving both time and money on travel expenses.
For families, an English Heritage membership provides even greater value. Children under the age of 18 receive free entry to most sites when accompanied by a member, making it an affordable option for memorable family outings and educational experiences.
Moreover, an English Heritage membership supports the conservation and preservation of England's historic sites for future generations. The membership fees directly contribute to ongoing conservation efforts, ensuring that these treasured landmarks remain accessible and intact for years to come.
Cost
So how much does English Heritage membership actually cost?
There are four membership types available (Family, Joint, Individual, Lifetime), with the option to pay fees monthly or yearly. Here's a quick price breakdown for each as of February 2024.
Other Factors to Consider
You Can Visit English Heritage Sites Without a Membership
It's important to realize that you can visit all English Heritage sites without being a member. Although the membership offers a wide variety of benefits, it's not necessary for general access.
That said, non-members are responsible for booking and paying for their tickets (often in advance). The cost of admittance varies significantly between sites.
The price for a single adult to visit Stonehenge in April, for example, is £28. A standard adult ticket to Clifford's Tower for the same day, however, is £9.50 by comparison.
*It's also worth noting that tickets to English Heritage sites tend to vary slightly by season. The cost of admittance is generally a little cheaper during the winter.
Some English Heritage Sites are Free to Visit
Not all English Heritage sites charge for admittance. In fact, some of them don't even require tickets; a number of locations are simply open to access any time.
A good example of this is the Moulton Packhorse Bridge in Suffolk, England. This site doesn't actually close because it's still a functional pedestrian bridge in the village of Moulton. It's essentially free and available to access all the time, although visits are recommended most during daylight hours so you can see the structure better.
Other English Heritage sites that are free to enter include:
Arthur's Stone
Ballowall Barrow
Benwell Vallum Crossing
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Dunster Yarn Market
Dupath Wall
Grimspound
Hylton Castle
Jordan Hill Roman Temple
King Arthur's Round Table
London Wall
Mayburogh Henge
North Elmham Chapel
Ravenglass Roman Bathhouse
Sandbach Crosses
Weeting Castle
This is only a few of the sites that are free to visit. While some are open and accessible all the time, others do have specific hours of operation. This information is available via the English Heritage website.
Adult Joint/Family Members Must Live at the Same Address
One factor that is not immediately obvious when considering English Heritage memberships is that joint options require adult members to live at the same address. While this is fine for many households, it may not work for all situations.
That said, I personally think there are ways around this (assuming all parties involved are amenable). As long as both individuals agree to have the membership cards shipped to a single address, it doesn't matter if they both actually reside there. In fact, you don't even need to share the same last name - my husband and I don't!
Reservations are Generally Required, Even for Members
Whether you're an English Heritage member or not, you'll likely need to book your tickets in advance. Most of the sites require visitors to reserve spots online, even if they're free to enter. In fact, some locations don't even offer the option to purchase tickets on-site.
While this can be frustrating for people who enjoy spontaneity, it has become quite standard (at least in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe). It's also fairly easy to make the necessary bookings on location using a smartphone if you decide to visit an English Heritage site last-minute. While I have no personally experienced them selling out for certain time slots, I am sure it happens in peak seasons - especially for top attractions like Stonehenge.
Discounts are Often Available
English Heritage regularly runs advertising campaigns that offer significant discounts for new members and gift memberships. In fact, you can get 20% off right now using the code YORE29 at checkout! (As of 2-29-24)
While there is not set schedule for these promotional periods, they do seem to offer deep discounts every holiday season. You can also consistently receive 10% off your new membership when referred by a friend. This does require calling the main office, however; there is currently no easy online referral program offered.
Overseas Visitor Passes are Also Available
Year-long memberships are not the only option. While they're certainly ideal for individuals who live on the continent, English Heritage does offer an overseas visitor pass that may be more appropriate for tourists visiting short-term. There are 9-day and 16-day passes available.
It is important to note that the overseas visitor pass does not provide access to as many locations. These cards only allow free admission only about 100 sites, but this does include must-see destinations like Stonehenge and Dover Castle. Here's a map of included sites.
You Can Gift Memberships to Others
You can also purchase English Heritage memberships as gifts for family and friends. This can be done via the official website. You simply select the membership type, submit your loved one's address, and pay. English Heritage will then send an activation packet to the designated recipient. All they'll need to do is activate the gift membership online.
This is a particularly good option during the holidays. Although it's not guaranteed, English Heritage often offers a significant discount for new and gift membership around Christmas.
There are Many Other Cool Sites to See in England
English Heritage doesn't have a monopoly on cool sites to visit on the continent. There are thousands of other places to see, some of which are free and some that are not.
While English Heritage does provide a good and easily accessible entry-point to exploration, don't limit yourself to only locations managed by this organization. Locals and tourists alike should always determine which sites and attractions to enjoy based on their personal preferences and travel goals.
English Heritage Oversees English Sites Only
Speaking of other cool places...they're not all in England! The United Kingdom has a lot to offer, with historic sites all over the continent. But English Heritage doesn't manage attractions in Scotland or Wales. These two countries have their own heritage organizations that offer memberships.
Historic Environment Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland oversees many key sites and monuments in Scotland. Like English Heritage, the organization offers a membership program that provides free admission to certain locations - including Edinburgh, Stirling, and Urquhart Castles, as well as other heritage attractions across the country.
Cadw
Cadw manages and safeguards more than 130 castles, abbeys, forts, and burial chambers in Wales. The organization is also highly dedicated to maintaining Welsh heritage. In fact, the word "cadw" means "to keep" or "to protect."
English Heritage Doesn't Include Current Royal Sites
Although English Heritage manages numerous castles throughout the country, none of them currently house or are actively associated with the British royal family.
If you're interested in sites like this, then the Historic Royal Palaces membership may be more appropriate.
Historic Royal Palaces oversees key sites such as the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, and Kew Palace.
My Experience
My husband and I became English Heritage members shortly after moving to the United Kingdom in 2021. Since then, we have visited numerous historic sites and monuments throughout England.
While it would be really difficult to list them all, here is a quick highlights list of locations we've seen (some multiple times) using our memberships:
Dover Castle
Tintagel Castle
Clifford's Tower
Stonehenge
Framingham Castle
Moulton Packhorse Bridge
Walmer Castle
We have also used our English Heritage memberships to gain discounted admittance to other locations. Warwick Castle, for example, offers 50% off their standard ticket prices for English Heritage members.
I really like the organization and its membership program. That said, we have not been constant members since 2021. As we tend to travel the continent in spurts, I don't renew with English Heritage right away every year. Instead, I often let our memberships lapse for some time until we are getting ready to visit associated sites again.
It's a bit of a pain to go through the membership process again, but it ensures we get the most out of our year-long access.
I also take advantage of discount promotions whenever possible. That includes the gift memberships, which tend to go on sale around Christmas time. We have several tips planned this year and I knew we'd get good use out of the memberships, so I purchased them as gifts for ourselves. Yes, that is possible and I've done it a couple times!
Most recently, I utilized a 30% discount code for a joint adult membership, which brought the total down to £84. That's only £42 (£3.50 a month) per person, which is super reasonable for a 12-month membership.
Buying yourself a gift membership actually works really well, as the the membership period doesn't begin until you activate the gift - which can be done months later if it suits your travel plans better.
Although I'm personally fond of maintaining an English Heritage membership (most of the time), I do acknowledge that it's not ideal for every destination. As mentioned above, there are so many great places to visit and, comparatively, the majority of attractions we frequent are not managed by English Heritage.
So, Is the English Heritage Membership Worth It?
Ultimately, the value of the English Heritage membership depends on a few factors:
How long you're going to be in England
Where you plan to visit while here
What kind of activities you enjoy most
Whether you're an individual or part of a family
Which sites you definitely expect to see
Length of Visit
If you live in England or plan to visit the country for at least six months, it's probably worth investing in an English Heritage membership. This is plenty of time to visit multiple sites managed by the organization.
Maintaining membership for multiple years, however, may not be necessary after you've visited many of the sites. It really depends on how frequently you will utilize it when living locally.
Location
There are plenty of English Heritage sites scattered throughout England, but some areas have more prominent attractions than others. Use the search function on the website to determine how many options are near you or are located in a region you plan to visit.
Activity Preferences
Are you someone who loves history and old structures? Then an English Heritage membership is probably right up your alley! If, however, you prefer more more action in your travel activities, it may be best to skip this particular option. You'll likely enjoy spending your money on other attractions.
Group Size
While the cost of membership is pretty reasonable for individuals and adult pairs (especially with a discount), the savings really add up for families. The ability to bring up to six children along for free is significant, making English Heritage memberships well worth it for large families interested in visiting historic sites. Notably, many of the organization's locations are perfect for an inexpensive day out and/or a picnic!
Cost Breakdown
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether an English Heritage membership is worth it or not is to do the math. Literally.
Determine how long you're going to be in England and/or actively traveling around the country, noting which areas will be easily accessed. Then make a list of all the English Heritage sites you want/plan to visit. After that, simply look up ticket pricing information for these locations, add up the total cost of buying individual tickets, and compare it to the cost of purchasing the applicable English Heritage membership.
For example, if you know for sure you're going to visit Stonehenge, Dover Castle, and Tintagel Castle in the span of a year, you'll at least break even on the cost of the membership. Tickets for all three of these sites total at £70, which is a whole pound more than the the single adult membership - and that's assuming you pay full price, which you can avoid by utilizing one of the regularly provided discount codes! It's also assuming you only go to to those three sites; the more places you visit, the better value the membership becomes.
Recommendations
Definitely take advantage of the discounts offered by English Heritage, especially around Christmas. Again, use code YORE29 to get 20% off right now! (As of 2-29-24)
Make the most out of your English Heritage membership while you have it. Regardless of your location, there are likely to be dozens of sites within a 1-2 hour drive. They make for easy and enjoyable day-trips on the weekends!
Always check the English Heritage website beforehand to determine which sites are dog-friendly. There are several locations that welcome fur babies, but not all of them do. Avoid disappointment by verifying in advance.
Look up possible English Heritage sites every time you travel somewhere in England. By putting your destination's postcode into the website's search bar, you can quickly review all the nearby sites and determine whether or not you'd like to incorporate them into your trip plans.
Make sure you invest in comfortable trainers or tennis shoes. Most English Heritage sites require a good deal of walking, so it's important to be prepared with proper footwear. My go-to preference right now are these Karrimor Isla Ladies Weathertite shoes; they're a good buy and have served me well on many of my travels so far!
Check the weather before the day of your visit to an English Heritage site. Most of the attractions require being outside for some time, so make sure you dress appropriately. I usually have a pair of wellies (rain boots) on hand, as well as my raincoat and an umbrella.
Be prepared to take a LOT of pictures. Many English Heritage sites are truly stunning, especially on sunny days. I use the Nikon D7000 digital SLR with either a 18-55mm lens or 55-200mm lens. If you're looking for something comparable but less expensive, check out this Nikon D5100 digital SLR camera with 18-55mm VR lens. It's renewed, but mine is too and I've never had an issue.
Buyers in the United States may want to consider this Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera, which comes with two lenses and a carry bag.
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