32 English Heritage sites set to open on Boxing Day for the first time

English Heritage sites can make for a fun family day out over the festive period.

There are pretty winter landscapes to take in, beautiful estates to discover, and plenty of fun activities and surprises for the kids.

Now there's about to be a whole extra day to explore them, as for the first time, English Heritage is opening 32 of its sites on Boxing Day. (You can check out the full list below).

Previously sites were closed on this day, but for 2019 there are castles, palaces and stately homes set to welcome visitors.

Liz Page, English Heritage’s Historic Properties Director, explained: "We hope that by opening a number of beautiful historic properties this Boxing Day we’re giving visitors an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the calm after the storm of Christmas day where they can unwind and explore with their families."

Wrest Park (©English Heritage)

For example, history fans can walk off Christmas dinner with a trip to the breathtaking Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, learn about fascinating history at the Chesters Roman Fort and Museum in Northumberland, or simply enjoy a picturesque stroll at Eltham Palace and its gardens in London.

As for the rest of the festive period? There are other English Heritage sites which open during the days in between Christmas and New Year's Eve. If you have a property in mind, check the winter opening times before you visit.

Osborne, Isle of Wight (©English Heritage)

If you are looking for more fun things to do with the kids, then you may also want to check out our guide to the best Christmas things to do, including top days out and events running during this festive period which are sure to be a hit with kids and parents alike.

Check out the full list of the 32 sites open on Boxing Day below...

English Heritage sites open on Boxing Day

1. Audley End - Gardens, Stables and Service Wing only, Essex
2. 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex
3. Beeston Castle and Woodland Park, Cheshire
4. Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland
5. Birdoswald Roman Fort - Hadrian’s Wall, Cumbria
6. Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire
7. Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire
8. Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight
9. Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
10. Deal Castle, Kent
11. Dover Castle, Kent
12. Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
13. Eltham Palace and Gardens, London
14. Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
15. Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire
16. Housesteads Roman Fort – Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland
17. Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire
18. Old Sarum, Wiltshire
19. Orford Castle, Suffolk
20. Osborne, Isle of Wight
21. Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
22. Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
23. Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire
24. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire
25. Stonehenge, Wiltshire
26. St Mawes Castle, Cornwall
27. Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
28. Walmer Castle and Gardens, Kent
29. Warkworth Castle and Hermitage, Northumberland
30. Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
31. Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
32. Clifford’s Tower, York