Where Taskmaster meets English Heritage

West Australian

19 hours ago

Taskmaster Greg Davies quick-fires one liners. 'Little' Alex Horne comes up with the tasks. Contestants complete the sometimes ridiculous, sometimes challenging, always quirkily humorous tasks.
The original UK Taskmaster has earned its place in the annals of classic television, and travellers in Britain this northern summer can join in.
Taskmaster and English Heritage have partnered to stage challenges at some of the UK's most visited places.
A spokesperson for English Heritage explains: 'It's all fun and games at our sites this summer, with loads of activities for the whole family to get stuck into.
'We've partnered with TV's Taskmaster to set you silly challenges as you explore.'
Visitors collect a Taskmaster score card and complete tasks. There might be a rubber duck or two to spot on the way, too — just like in the series.
Until Sunday August 31, 2025, between 10am and 5pm, there are Taskmaster events at these venue — which, or course, are worth visiting any time …
Dover Castle
Castle Hill, Dover, Kent
England's mightiest castle is near the White Cliffs. One ticket gives access to the Siege Play Area, Medieval Great Tower (a glimpse into the pomp and pageantry of King Henry II's court) and Secret Wartime Tunnels where the story of Operation Dynamo is told. A newly opened viewpoint is good for that selfie, with the castle in the background. There are refreshments in its cafes.
Osborne
York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's much loved seaside palace. They bought and built the place to fulfil the great queen's desire for a 'place of one's own – quiet and retired'. The interiors and its art collections are beautiful, as are the beach and gardens. There's an interactive tree trail to find the unusual Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played in their own little museum. The Swiss Museum and the ground floor of the Swiss Cottage are open as normal but the top floor is currently closed for maintenance. The Terrace Deli-Bar is one of four food and drink outlets and has traditional refreshments.
Walmer Castle and Gardens
Kingsdown Road, Deal, Kent
A Tudor fort which was turned into a country house, and has big, award-winning gardens. For nearly 300 years, it has been the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports — an office granted to some of Britain's most famous people, including the Duke of Wellington and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Its displays feature the Duke of Wellington, who was Lord Warden for 23 years until his death at Walmer Castle in 1852. They have his own 'Wellington boots'.
Audley End House and Gardens
Off London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex
An English country house, upstairs and downstairs, inside and out. It's a brilliant place to see how a great house worked in the past. Upstairs, there's the great hall, state rooms and private apartments, each decorated with fine furniture and works of art. There's the 1830s nursery, where young visitors can try on costumes and play with replica toys. There's the Coal Gallery, where servants kept the house stocked with coal and hot water. Downstairs, in the Service Wing, was the domain of Victorian cook Mrs Avis Crocombe in the 1880s. The grounds were designed by Capability Brown and there are horses in the stables.
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
High Street, Battle, East Sussex
The Battle of Hastings changed England forever, as William the Conqueror's Norman invaders met King Harold's English army right on this spot. Interactive displays in the visitor centre tell the story. Then, with an audio tour, visitors can see where the Normans advanced against the English. Walk the battlefield. The abbey was founded by William soon after the conquest, and is said to be on the precise spot where King Harold died. There's a big cafe near the gatehouse, right next to a children's playground inspired by the site's story.
Beeston Castle and Woodland Park
Chapel Lane, Beeston, Cheshire,
This recreated Bronze Age roundhouse, sitting on a sandstone crag overlooking the Cheshire Plain, has views across eight counties. The recreated Bronze Age roundhouse brings this place's prehistoric past to life. The castle was built in the 1220s, with its inner bailey, rock-cut ditch and double-towered gatehouse. The castle is believed to be the hiding place of Richard II's treasure and is set in 16ha of woodland.
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Belsay, Nr Morpeth, Northumberland
Belsay has a medieval castle, Greek Revival mansion, and 12ha of gardens. A $2 million 'Belsay Awakes' refurbishment project has reinvigorated the place, which was home to the Middleton family for more than seven centuries. It's worth spending time outside, in the rocky ravines of the quarry garden and on Crag Wood scenic walk. There's a playground near the Coach House Cafe.
Bolsover Castle
Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire
This is a Stuart showpiece with lavish rooms and big views. It was built by horse-crazy Cavalier playboy William Cavendish, and its Star Chamber and Marble Closet have replica furnishings. The whole building, from basement kitchen to its top-floor bedchambers, is covered in a multimedia guide. Outside, there's the Fountain Garden, designed around a statue of Venus, and lots of flowers that were fashionable in Bolsover's heyday. Cavendish's passion for training horses is reflected in the indoor Riding House and stables.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
Brodsworth, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
This Victorian country house appears 'frozen in time' and is set in award-winning gardens. The house was conserved after the death of its last owner in 1988. Gardens were restored, and there's plenty of play space for kids. There's a tearoom in the servants' wing.
Carisbrooke Castle
Castle Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight
This castle has defended the Isle of Wight for more than 1000 years. It began as an Anglo-Saxon earthwork defence against Viking raids. Then the Normans raised the keep, made from shell, on its towering mound. A great fortress was gradually built — with Charles I as its most famous resident. He was imprisoned here after his defeat in the Civil War. There is Charles I memorabilia in the Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Later, Princess Beatrice, Queen Victoria's daughter, made Carisbrooke Castle her summer home. The Edwardian-style Princess Beatrice Garden was inspired by the princess. But the castle's best-known modern residents are its donkeys. They work a treadwheel, which once raised water from the castle well.
Eltham Palace and Gardens
Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London, SE9
In 1936, millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld build this spectacular art deco mansion next to the medieval Great Hall of Eltham Palace. The interiors include the art deco dining room and Virginia's gold-plated bathroom. As a contrast to the 1930s rooms, there's the 1470s Great Hall, which was part of the medieval royal palace of Eltham, where Henry VIII spent his childhood. Don't miss the palace's beautiful gardens, visitor centre, shop and café in the glasshouse.
Framlingham Castle
Church Street, Framlingham, Suffolk
This medieval baronial fortress holds the stories of a Tudor queen and Georgian poorhouse children — 800 years of history. (And look up — each of the tall Tudor chimneys has a different brick design.) It is set in a pretty market town.
Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden
Castle Green, Off Castle Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Kenilworth Castle's story spans more than 900 years. Its Norman keep dates from the 1120s. The fortress endured one of the longest sieges in medieval English history in 1266. Elizabeth I's childhood friend, Robert Dudley, took possession of the castle in 1563 and spent a fortune turning it into a showpiece mansion. He wanted to impress the queen. This year, 2025, is the 450th anniversary of Elizabeth's most famous visit, in July 1575. The spectacular garden Dudley created for this visit has been restored. There's a Renaissance aviary.
Pendennis Castle
Falmouth, Cornwall
From the top of the Tudor keep, there are big views over Falmouth, and down a tunnel, there's the Half Moon Battery, used in the Second World War. There are historic guns and volunteers explain how they work. Follow the Castle Explorers trail and relax in the cafe. It's worth considering combing a visit to Pendennis with time at its sister fortress at St Mawes, a 20-minute ferry away.
Scarborough Castle
Castle Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
There's 3000 years of history on this huge site, set on a headland between the two bays of this seaside town. There are viewing platforms within the Inner Bailey and the Great Tower. The grassy headland has a big wildflower meadow — bigger than 12 soccer pitches.
Stonehenge
Near Amesbury, Wiltshire
Our Neolithic ancestors created what is now the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. Prehistoric people lived here 4000 years ago, and today we can walk among Neolithic houses. See the Stone Circle and a world-class exhibition.
(This site is open until 5.30pm)
Wrest Park
Silsoe, Bedfordshire
This 19th century mansion in the style of a French chateau — but its gardens are a real treasure. They tell the story of 300 years of garden design. In front of the house, there are formal gardens. There's the Long Water, Archer Pavilion, Bath House, Chinese Bridge and Chinese Temple, and woodland paths of the 18th century Great Garden. There has been a 20-year restoration project. If you visit, don't miss the cafe in the Walled Garden.
What you should know…
+ Taskmaster challenges and summer events are included in the cost of site entry.
+ There'll be six challenges, with each taking one to five minutes. There will still be time to explore the rest of the site.
+ The Taskmaster challenges will be spread out around the site, and will be clearly marked. They are outdoors, so dress for the weather.
+ Challenges are different at each site. They might be performing, drawing, building or balancing.
+ Visitors can book a day ticket to the site online, and save 15 per cent if they book before the day of their visit. You can't book ahead for the Taskmaster challenges, and there may be a short wait for you to begin, but organisers say they will make sure everyone has time to take part.
+ They are recommended for anyone over the age of four, and are fun for the whole family. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
+ Organisers will do their best to continue with the Taskmaster challenges whatever the weather. But occasionally they may need to take them down or close the site. Please check the English Heritage website and Facebook pages for updates.
+ Alex Horne and Greg Davies won't be on site.
english-heritage.org.uk