Geoff Parkin

Guest columnist

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THIS week, despite trying to kid myself otherwise, I've finally come around to the fact that summer is over for another year.

And that gradual welcoming of autumn is fast followed by excitement at the opportunities in embracing the new season. At English Heritage, we're privileged to provide the setting for millions of happy summer days out. But the end of summer doesn't have to signal the end of fun.

English Heritage recently teamed up with regional newspapers across the country to offer families the chance to carve out their own stories at our incredible sites. From Dover Castle to Hadrian's Wall, Whitby Abbey to the site of the Battle of Hastings, this autumn, readers can enjoy a free day out at England's greatest historic attractions.

These may have been places where England's history was made, but they are also where new chapters can be written in our own stories; where personal memories are made, relationships forged.

And at the same time, every penny spent at these places not only goes towards looking after them, but also the hundreds of other sites that our charity cares for, many of which are entirely free to enjoy. Many of these free sites are hidden gems - but many are world famous.