How the Great British Heritage Pass Works

Now in its 33rd year, the Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to more than 580 of Great Britain’s most popular heritage sights. 

Smart card technology means pass holders can enjoy completely cashless entry to included properties – once you’ve bought your Great British Heritage Pass, you don’t have to pay to get into any of the attractions covered by the pass. 

The Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to properties covered by the National Trust, English Heritage, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, and Cadw, plus many more.  It was created over 30 years ago by VisitBritain, and is available exclusively to the overseas international visitor.

Skipping the Queue

As well as free entry, the Great British Heritage Pass allows you to skip long and frustrating queues at the busiest tourist properties, including Hampton Court Palace, Blenheim Palace, Roman Baths & Pump Room, Stonehenge, Warwick Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and many more properties. Simply show the attendant your Great British Heritage Pass and you will be allowed entrance

Activating the Great British Heritage Pass

The smart card technology used by the Great British Heritage Pass includes a computer chip within the card itself. This chip records when and where you first use your pass, as well as how long the pass will remain valid for. What this means is that regardless of what start date you supply when you purchase the pass, your Great British Heritage Pass is activated the moment that you first use it, at the first property that you visit.

Your Great British Heritage Pass is then valid for the number of days that you purchased – be it 4, 7, 15, or 30 days. It is important to note that a ‘day’ is based on a calendar day, so should you use your pass at 4 pm on Monday, Monday is counted as day one of your pass usage.

Great British Heritage Family Pass

If you have opted to purchase the Great British Heritage Family Pass, you will only need to use one pass per family. A family consists of 2 adults and up to 3 children, ages 5 to 15.

Should you have any problems whilst using the Great British Heritage Pass, please call our customer help centre on 0870 242 9988.