Step back in time to castles and palaces

...to a land of fairytale castles, battleships or Victorian drudgery. Daralyn Danns looks at the places that bring history and heritage alive.

Hever Castle
Enter this 13th-century castle, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, in fairytale style by crossing a drawbridge under a raised portcullis. See the Henry Vlll room where he courted Anne, read her last letter to Henry and take in the tapestries, costumed figures (including Henry VIII), swords and armour. If they want a break from history, the wooden adventure playground will keep children up to 14 amused for hours. (There is special equipment for under-fives.) Other attractions include a huge yew maze and a splashing water maze. The summer highlight is the jousting tournaments, when the Knights of Royal England entertain Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (19, 20, 26, 27 Jul; 2, 3, 16, 17, 23 Aug). Hever Caste, Nr Edenbridge, Kent TN9 7NG. Castle and gardens £11.50, children £6.30, under-fives free, family £29.30. 01732 865 224 or hever-castle.co.uk

Leeds Castle
This splendid medieval castle, in the heart of Kent, is set on two islands on the River Len. When you visit, watch out for the black swans, the symbol of the castle; do not miss the aviaries, the peacocks wandering the spending grounds or the falconry displays (daily 1.30pm and 3.30pm weather permitting). Then head for the Knights' Realm (ages five plus), a wooden adventure playground which has a scale model of the castle. For under-fives there is a toddlers' play area. 2-3 Aug is Wildlife Weekend and 9-10 Aug Classic Car weekend. There are also concerts in the evenings during the Summer (check website). Put 6-7 Sep in the diary - it is family fun weekend with jousting. Leave the car behind and take the coach from Victoria Station. Buy a combined admission and coach ticket for £22, children (from ages 4-15) £14.50.
Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL. £15, children £9.50, under-fours free. 01622 765 400 or leeds-castle.com

Blenheim Palace
Set in beautiful landscaped gardens, designed by Capability Brown, this baroque palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, is home to the present Duke of Marlborough. From 19 Jul to 31 Aug, find out what life was like below stairs in "Victorian Servants and Domestic Service at Blenheim Palace". This costumed event takes place in the Great Court. Younger children can enjoy a ride on the miniature train in the Pleasure Gardens. The 50th CLA Game Fair, held every four years, takes place 25-27 Jul. Between 13-17 Aug, you can catch The Imperial Ice Stars, a theatrical ice skating company performing the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, set to the music of Tchaikovsky (from £15, (imperialicestars.com).
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PX. £16.50, children £10, under-fives free, family £44. 08700 60 20 80 or blenheimpalace.com

Windsor Castle
If you've driven down the M4 and seen this magnificent castle in the distance, but have never visited, why not add in on to your list of day trips this year? It's an official residence of the Queen and the largest occupied castle in the world (it's been a royal home and fortress for over 900 years); visitors can walk around the State Apartments at the heart of the working palace and also take in Queen Mary's fascinating dolls' house and the 14th century St George's Chapel, burial place of 10 sovereigns and setting for many royal weddings. Discover arrow loops and murder holes on the Castles Long Ago family activity trail to find out how castles were fortified (1-24 Aug, 11am-4pm) and then make your own 3D castle model. To mark Prince Charles's 60th birthday, there is an exhibition of photos and memorabilia in the Drawings Gallery. Weekends in Aug, guided family tours, 12pm and 2pm. Otherwise take the audio tour. Get there for the changing of the guard (11am even days in Aug and not Suns). It's easy to get to by train from Waterloo or Paddington.
Windsor Castle, Windsor, SL4 1 NJ. £14.80, children £8.50, family £38.10, under-fives free.

Arundel Castle
Make history fun and visit this lovely stately home and medieval castle set in picturepostcard surroundings, overlooking the River Arun. See the new garden commissioned in memory of Thomas Howard, 14th Earl of Arundel, known as the Collector Earl. Take part in re-enactments of historical events. On 6 Aug, for instance, you can listen to a storyteller telling tales of the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, just as he would have done in the Middle Ages. The Arundel Festival takes place between 22-31 Aug. Take a picnic and enjoy concerts such as the Music of Queen and Lesley Garrett and the National Symphony Orchestra. Visit the nearby 26ha wetlands centre (wwt.org.uk) and take a boat safari. There's a lot to see and do, so get there early. Arundel Castle, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9AB. £13, children £7.50 under-fives free, family £34. 01903 882 173 or arundelcastle.org

Buckingham Palace
Opening for the summer on 29 Jul (until 29 Sep), the 19 magnificent State Rooms used by the Royal Family. This summer, for the first time, see the ballroom set up for an actual State Banquet for 160 guests. Also browse the Royal Collection, which includes priceless works of art collected by kings and queens over 500 years. A must-see is "Changing The Guard", which takes place daily at 11.30am May-Jul. Younger children may find the 2 to 2½ hours a challenge while 5-11s will enjoy the audio tour and 7-11s the garden activity trail. Tip -combine with a trip to the Royal Mews. Buy a combined Royal Day Out ticket (4 hours in total) - it works out cheaper.
Buckingham Palace, SW1. Royal Day Out ticket £28.50, children £16, under-fives free, family £73. 020 7766 7300 or royalcollection.org.uk For details of Hampton Court Palace and The Tower of London see "We live by the river", pages 54 to 56.

MILITARY AND NAVY
The Churchill Museum And Cabinet War Rooms
See the underground Cabinet War Rooms where Sir Winston Churchill directed the British Forces during World War II and learn about his life. Based on the campaign of the 1940s, The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms in partnership with the Royal Parks are running the Dig for Victory: War on Waste allotment project. This year the focus will be on recycling, wildlife habitation and seasonal, organically grown produce. During the summer, there will be activities for families relating to wildlife and biodiversity.
The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles St, SW1. £12, children free. 020 7930 6961 or cwr.iwm.org.uk

The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Boys, especially, will love exploring the historic warships. They can get a feel for life on submarine Ocelot and climb over the World War II destroyers HMS Cavalier and HMS Gannet. There is also the indoor, (suitable for younger children) and the outdoor assault course style children's play areas, interactive displays, restaurant, picnic area and costumed guides to take you round 400 hundred fascinating years of naval history. Nearby is Dickens World for even more hands-on history. 2-3 Aug is Dockyard in Steam - with locomotives.
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ. Admission: £13.50, children £9, under-fives free. 01634 823 800 or chdt.org.uk

Royal Gunpowder Mills
Once gunpowder and high explosives were made on this 175-acre site, now it's a haven for wild life. The interactive exhibition is a great way to learn the history and the science bit. Take the 40-minute train tour (book when you arrive) around the wild life area. Medieval Jousting display on 12 and 13 Jul and the English Civil War Re-enactment with Rawdon's Regiment on 26 and 27 Jul.
Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY. £6.50, children £4, under-fives free. 01992 707 370 or royalgunpowdermills.com