ENGLISH Heritage will open many of its finest historic properties across the country on Boxing Day for the first time. On the Isle of Wight the charity has extended opening times to include the national holiday at both Carisbrooke Castle near Newport, and Osborne in East Cowes.

The day takes its name from the Victorian tradition in which servants and tradesmen would receive their Christmas Box tips from their employers, and this Boxing Day is the perfect opportunity to blow away the cobwebs at over 20 properties across England.

English Heritage’s historic properties director Liz Page said: “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.”

To carry on the festive spirit after Christmas Day, English Heritage will be running a competition on its Twitter account @EnglishHeritage where the public will be able to re-tweet for a chance to win a range of great special offers: from 2 for 1 entry to any of our properties to discounts in the gift shop. These prizes can be redeemed at more than 20 sites between Boxing Day and 1 January 2020.

For specific opening days and times between Christmas and New Year visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/christmas/ christmas-opening-times.