Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle: The Complete Guide

tudor village school trip

Hever Castle & Gardens

Hever Castle, 30 miles southeast of London, was the home of two of Henry VIII's queens—one tragic and one lucky—and the pet project and home of America's richest man in the late 19th century. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its Tudor rooms, and its 125 acres of exquisite gardens. If you plan well ahead, you may even get to spend the night. Here's what you need to know to plan your visit.

Hever Castle's Tudor History

Hever was built as a small fortified castle in around 1270. The gatehouse and the walled bailey of this first house remain. In the 15th century, Geoffrey Bullen, great grandfather of Anne Boleyn, acquired Hever. During the 14th and 16th centuries, the Boleyn family-owned Hever. They built the Tudor family home within its outer walls.

It was Anne Boleyn's girlhood home, where Henry VIII courted her (as well as her older sister Mary who was his mistress first). Poor Anne, Henry's second wife, lost her head in 1536. She was charged with treason, but the probable reason was her failure to produce a male heir. Still, somewhere in the afterlife, she probably had the last laugh because her daughter became one of England's greatest monarchs, Queen Elizabeth I.

When Anne's father, Thomas Boleyn, died in 1539, the house reverted to the Crown—Henry VIII. He then gave it to his fourth ex-wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of their separation settlement.

She was the lucky one. She and Henry were married less than a year, and she managed to keep her head. Henry was just not attracted to her. And given that by, the time they married, he was obese and gouty with a festering—and probably smelly—leg ulcer, she perhaps wasn't enchanted with him either. The marriage was never consummated and was ultimately annulled. But she was so witty and amusing that they remained friends.

Hever Castle's American Connection

During the next few centuries, Hever Castle passed through several owners. By the late 19th century, the land was a tenanted Kentish farm estate, but the castle itself was falling into ruin. Enter American-born William Waldorf Astor. Astor had moved to England after a failed political career in America and various family squabbles. When his father, John Jacob Astor III, died in 1890, he became the richest man in American. It's said he brought $100 million (almost $27 billion today) with him when he settled in England.

He used some of that money to buy Hever Castle and, between 1903 and 1908, he indulged his interest in history in restoring and refurbishing the castle, creating its various gardens, and building its lake. He also created a "Tudor village" beside the castle, parts of which are now a 28-room boutique hotel.

Astor's heirs continued to use Hever as one of their family homes until the 1970s when it was sold to a Yorkshire family who maintains it as part of their private property group.

Things to Do at Hever

There's more than enough to do at Hever Castle, both inside and out, to fill at least a day and maybe more. Much of what you see when touring the house is a recreation, dating from William Waldorf Astor's reconstruction of Hever, but there are many real Tudor treasures to be found.

Tour the Castle

Multi-media tour guides can be rented near the entrance, and guidebooks are available for self-guided tours. A downloadable Tudor History Trail is aimed at families with children. Private guided tours can also be booked in advance.

  • Enter the castle across a drawbridge restored by Astor. The portcullis—the latticed wood and metal grille that comes down across the entrance to the inner courtyard—is believed to be one of the oldest working examples in Britain.
  • Visit the Tudor rooms, including Anne Boleyn's bedroom, with a carved Tudor bed.
  • Henry VIII's bedchamber (the King was believed to have stayed at the castle while wooing Anne) is a recreation but has many period elements. The carved walnut frieze above the fireplace in this room was originally the front of a chest, circa 1505. The coffered ceiling is one of the oldest in the castle, dating from 1462 when the Boleyns first owned it.
  • See the Tudor portraits This collection of original paintings is considered to be the best outside of Britain's National Portrait Gallery.
  • Read Anne Boleyn's own words One of the upstairs rooms is reserved for an exhibition of two rare books of hours - heavily illustrated prayer books - that belonged to Anne Boleyn and that she probably used for her daily prayer services. She annotated one with a message in her own hand, asking readers to pray for her. Digital consoles, besides each of the books, enable visitors to "turn the pages" and see different illustrations and autographs.

Explore the Gardens

Hever Castle's gardens look like they were established hundreds of years ago but most were created by Astor and his gardeners, Joseph Cheal and Son, over the four or five year period during which he restored the estate. Among the highlights:

  • The Italian Garden, a four-acre garden of lawns, yew hedges, and walls of local stone, was created to showcase Astor's collection of antiquities. The statues, urns, and nymphs that are artfully arranged throughout this garden are not mere garden ornaments but are the real deal—some as old as 2,000 years. At the end of the Italian Garden, a loggia and colonnade finish in steps leading down to a 38-acre human-made lake.
  • The Rose Garden blooms from June through September with 4,000 different varieties of roses.
  • The Tudor Garden is one of a series of small gardens near the castle that, because it is next to a maze and surrounded by tall hedges, is easy to miss. There is a Tudor herb garden and a topiary chess set.
  • Landscaped walks are dotted throughout the estate, demonstrating different styles of planting, showcasing different kinds of plants, or providing quiet corners to escape. One of these, the long border of the Two Sisters Lawn, was designed by Gertrude Jekyll, one of the 19th and early 20th century's most influential garden designers.

Have Some Fun

  • Get lost in the Yew Maze. Don't worry, compared to some of England's major mazes, like the ones at Leeds Castle and Longleat, this one is a doddle. It's easy but fun for small children and not too scary for dogs (except for the Castle interiors, Hever is very dog-friendly.)
  • Get wet in the Water Maze , a maze path laid out on the ground with intermittent and unpredictable water jets. The challenge is to get through the maze without getting wet—not easy. This one is for children and warm weather.
  • Take a boat out on the lake. Rowboats and pedaloes are available to rent from a boathouse next to the loggia. A Japanese tea house, added in 2013, is best seen from a boat on the lake.
  • See a show at the Hever Festival Theater . Throughout the summer season, evening performances are scheduled in an open-air theater—these range from concerts to theatrical productions, from amateur and community groups to professional artists.
  • Visit the miniature model houses , a collection of 1/12 scale models includes homes from the Medieval, Stuart, Georgian and Victorian periods as well as Restoration interiors.
  • Join in the special events. Hever Castle has a full schedule of events from late spring to early autumn. Sit in a "Royal" box to watch weekend jousting tournaments, take part in archery and shield painting. Keep track of What's On to see what will be happening when you visit. Some of the special activities have to be booked in advance.

Stay at Hever Castle

Besides the castle attractions, Hever has a 28-room luxury bed and breakfast inn within the Tudor style village and an Edwardian wing added by William Waldorf Astor. The feature rooms have to be booked six months or more in advance but are relatively moderately priced for the quality of the attraction. A separate self-catering cottage that sleeps eight can be rented as well.

Essential Info

The castle and grounds are open throughout the year, daily between the end of March and the end of October, during a short Christmas season from the end of November through Christmas Eve. At other times of year, the house and gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday. The ground open at 10:30 a.m. and the castle opens at noon. Closing times are seasonal, so check the website.

Hever is 30 miles southeast of London, 3 miles southeast of the village of Edenbridge. It is signposted from Junctions 5 and 6 of the M25 or junction 10 of the M23. Set satellite navigation devices for postcode TN8 7NG. The nearest train station is Hever, a one-mile walk down country lanes and cross country paths. Taxis are available from Edenbridge Town station, one stop closer to London, but should be booked in advance.

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Tudor School Trip Ideas

Is your class currently studying the Tudor period? If so, we’ve got the plenty of Tudor School Trip ideas listed below for you. Tudor School Trips take educational groups on a historical adventure back in time, where students will be provided with immersive learning experiences that captivate the imagination. The Tudor era is a subject of great fascination – from The War of the Roses to the life and works of William Shakespeare, the Tudor period is a topic that has something to engage every student.

We have a wide selection of Tudor School Trips listed on our directory. At The Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, school groups can explore the historic site of The Battle of Bosworth – the last significant battle of the War of the Roses. Bosworth’s knowledgeable guides will bring the battle to life and lively demonstrations will educate pupils about the armour, weapons, and combat techniques of this era. The Shakespeare Family Homes provides educational groups with a rather different Tudor School Trip experience. Here, classes will receive a “Shakespeare-centred” learning experience, where students will develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s life and works. And your class could even take to the water on The Matthew of Bristol. The Matthew provides school groups with boating School Trips that highlight life on board a Tudor Ship.

Take a look at School Trip operators we have listed below for more Tudor School Trip inspiration.

Tudor Workshops & History Ideas for Schools

tudor village school trip

Historical Interpretations Hands on History Workshops North of England

Historical Interpretations History Workshops provide “Hands on History” for KS2 classes up to University students. Areas covered are York, Oxford and the North of England.

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Viking Experience Days – Primary School Workshops in the Midlands

Viking Experience Days deliver Viking Workshops directly to your school! Your educational group will be provided with a top quality school trip experience without having

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Clink Prison Museum London

Built on the original site of the Clink Prison – one of England’s oldest Prisons. You can experience hands-on original artefacts, including torture devices, &

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Portals To The Past School History Workshops

All our workshops are run by enthusiastic, outgoing specialists, who know how to connect with students at the appropriate level.

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Celtic Harmony Art in Prehistory Day Workshops

Celtic Harmony Art Workshops will come to your school in the south east and provide historical workshop talks and activities that include; art in prehistory,

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English Heritage East of England

We aim to promote a greater understanding & enjoyment of the historic environment. We offer learning groups FREE ENTRY to 400 + venues, along with

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National Holocaust Centre and Museum Outreach Workshops

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum provide an outreach service Nationwide bringing expertise and creativity to provide access to museum collections and testimony of Holocaust

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English Heritage Yorkshire

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PrimeVR Virtual Reality School Workshops Nationwide

PrimeVR is the UK’s leading VR workshop provider and it’s no wonder why! PrimeVR uses state-of-the-art technology to bring the outside world into the classroom,

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The Wizard Walk of York Magical Walking Tours

The only educational walking tours in York specifically aimed at school groups KS1 & 2, and winner of many awards including Best Tour 2023 and

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Tudor World in Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon

Tudor World is an award winning museum situated right in the heart of the historic town, Stratford upon Avon. Within a Grade 2* listed historic

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Canterbury Guided Tours – City walking tours for schools

Canterbury Guided Tours provide entertaining 90-minute interactive educational city walking tours for groups; an ideal opportunity to experience outdoor learning whilst enjoying the rich history

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Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World Outreach Workshops

All our educational outreach visits can be tailored to your topics and requests. We have worked tirelessly putting together a program that hits all the

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English Heritage South West

English Heritage should be applauded for their development of the Discovery Visit, which interprets the story of a site, giving a sense of time and

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Shakespeare’s Family Homes Tours and Workshops Stratford-upon-Avon

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent, educational charity dedicated to deepening the understanding of Shakespeare’s works & times. We offer a range of informative

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English Heritage East Midlands

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Carlisle Castle Cumbria

An impressive frontier fortress with 900 years of history – excellent for Medieval, Tudor and Civil War topics. Carlisle Castle provides students with a sense

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Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre Workshops

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre provides educational groups with historically focused school workshops that can be concentrated on either the Tudor or Roman period.

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Selly Manor Museum Birmingham

Every year, more than 6000 school children visit Selly Manor. Most of them visit to study the Tudors, but some visit to look at the

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Theatre Workshop Living History Workshop

Our Living history workshops is a highly-renowned outreach experience that has been educating students for 25 years; we offer fully interactive workshops that will engage

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The Jorvik Group JORVIK Viking Centre York

Discover the Return of the Vikings to York at the newly re-imagined JORVIK Viking Centre.

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Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Warwickshire

A visit to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall provides school groups with fun, informal and authentic experiences that bring history to life.

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Ufton Court Educational Trust Residential School Trips

On an Ufton Court Residential School Trip, educational groups can enjoy historically themed evening banquets, where students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in

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Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire provides 1000 years of History perfect for educational historical learning. The site appears in the Domesday Book of 1086

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English Heritage Greater London

Iron Age Settlements, Roman Forts, Medieval Abbeys, Tudor Castles, Victorian Mansions and Gardens, and even World War Fortresses – you name it, our exceptional, out-of-the-classroom

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Southchurch Hall Museum Essex

Southchurch Hall museum is housed in the half-timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century.

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The Matthew of Bristol

All trips are designed to fit in with the national history KS1 and 2 curriculum. It highlights Bristol’s local history, John Cabot and the discovery

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English Heritage North East

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The Jorvik Group Barley Hall York

Barley Hall (Jorvik Viking Group) is a medieval townhouse – once home to the Lord Mayor of York. Located on the doorstep of York Minster,

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School Trips at Bristol Museums

Bristol Museums offer a wide range of school trips, where subjects such as history, literature, science and art are brought to life! Students will have

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ReachOut Educate Interactive History Workshops

ReachOut Educate Workshops provide outreach services to schools focusing on the following topics: Anti Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Author/Illustrator, Tudors & Stuarts, Romans, Medieval, Middle Ages,

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DIG An Archaeological Adventure York

Jorvik DIG with four special in-door excavation pits, all based on real-life digs in the city and filled with replica Roman, Viking, Medieval, and Victorian

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English Heritage North West

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Ufton Court Educational Trust Activity Centre

Ufton Court provides educational groups with engaging History School Trips and Outdoor Learning Courses. Whether you want to explore the Grade 1 Tudor Manor House,

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FabDrumming Workshops

FabDrumming workshops provides schools in the South West with musical experiences that are fun, creative and rhythmic. This allows for your pupils to express themselves

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Teach Wild Outdoor Learning Workshops London and South East

Teach Wild Outdoor Learning Workshops in London and in the South offer practical outdoor learning workshops for primary school children. Learning outside the classroom creates

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English Heritage West Midlands

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Dance Days Educational Dance Workshops

Dance Days delivers educational Workshops where pupils have the chance to learn through over 30 different dance styles, many of which link directly to school

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Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Gardens provides school trips & educational visits with great tours, exhibitions & interactive workshops, explore the Tudor gardens, medieval kitchens, great

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Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

At The Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, school groups can explore the historic site of the Battle of Bosworth – an event beyond living memory which

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The Golden Hinde School Tours and workshops London

At The Golden Hinde, the use of costumed educators and reenactments makes history come to life. This historical school trip allows students to experience what

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Tower Bridge Workshops London

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your literacy topic, an opportunity for young historians to test their enquiry skills, or for a school trip experience

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The Geographical Cure

Visiting Anne Boleyn’s Hever Castle, The Complete Guide

Looking for a guide to visiting the fairytale Hever Castle? Look no further!

If you’re a Tudor enthusiast, the castle is a must visit attraction in England. Hever is a petite double-moated castle with a craggy romantic visage that’s largely unaltered by time.

It’s famously linked to the ill-fated royal couple, Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. Their story is a fascinating one, one of the most dramatic in English history.

Hever castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn in Kent

Hever was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife. It’s also linked to Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, who was installed there after Henry divorced her.

On a visit to Hever Castle, you can walk in the footsteps of these famous Tudor monarchs. And you can admire the castle’s medieval keep and gatehouse, Tudor rooms, original portraits, and exquisite gardens. 

Alas, while the castle is the real deal, the interior isn’t authentic. The furnishings, period gardens, and Tudor village were added, quite imaginatively, by William Waldorf Astor in the 20th century.

ivy clad facade of the castle

History Of Hever Castle And Its Famous Tudor Occupants

No guide to Hever Castle would be complete without a brief history of the castle.

The history of Hever stretches back 700 years. It first pops up as a fortified manor home owned by the Norman de Hever family. They secured themselves against small scale attacks by adding a moat and drawbridge.

In the 1300s, Sir John de Cobham took over. By that time, the property had crenellated curtain walls, battlements, and a gatehouse.

All the crenellation was meant to threaten. Hever Castle was never involved in any serious medieval warfare. But the family needed protection from marauding bands of vagabonds.

beautiful windows in Hever Castle

In 1462, Sir Geoffrey Bullen purchased Hever Castle. He was a forerunner of the Boleyn family and the great-great-great grandfather of Queen Elizabeth I.

He constructed the huge three story gatehouse you still see today and created a comfortable Tudor home for his family.

Thomas Boleyn

The Bullen family began to climb the social and political ranks of the era. Geoffrey’s grandson, Thomas, was an ambitious knight. He married the aristocratic Lady Elizabeth Howard and changed the family name to Boleyn.

Thomas was blessed with two exceptional daughters, Mary and Anne. Mary was the first to catch the roving eye of a womanizing Henry VIII.

Pinterest pin for guide to Hever Castle

Mary Boleyn

At the time of his infatuation, the king was married to Catherine of Aragon. But after 20 years of marriage, the Spanish queen had failed to give Henry the thing he most craved: a male heir. The marriage soured.

Mary became a lady in waiting to the queen. This made it much easier to conduct their illicit affair. He wooed Mary at Hever Castle as well.

If Mary’s father Thomas had qualms about the unconventional arrangement, Henry quelled them by heaping property and honorifics on Thomas, including the prestigious Order of the Garter.

Anne Boleyn

Meanwhile, Thomas’s other daughter, Anne, spent her adolescence in France in the cultured court of Queen Claude. When she returned to England in 1521 or 1522, she was popular at court, dazzling everyone with her wit, sophistication, charm, and musical abilities.

Henry was perhaps the most smitten of the lot. But Anne didn’t plan on being a pawn in Henry’s amorous adventures.

Anne Boleyn portrait in the Queen's Chamber

A cat-and-mouse game began, with a randy Henry bombarding Anne with passionate love letters, many sent to Hever Castle. Anne refused to give in to his advances and would settle for nothing short of marriage.

The problem? Henry was Catholic and couldn’t divorce Catherine.

Nonetheless, Henry was determined to have Anne no matter the cost. He began the “Great Matter” of extricating himself from Catherine.

It would last several years, during which time Henry courted Anne at Hever. The castle became one of the most gossiped about addresses in England.

portrait of Henry VIII at Windsor Castle

Desperate to marry Anne, Henry first had the influential Cardinal Wolsey try to procure an annulment from the Catholic Church in Rome . This plan failed. Pope Clement VII sided with Catherine, a devout Catholic from a devoutly Catholic country.

Enraged, Henry took the drastic step of breaking away from the Catholic church and founding the Church of England, his most lasting legacy. In 1533, Henry divorced Catherine and married Anne after 7 long years of waiting.

Rome ex-communicated Henry. But he didn’t care. It only made Henry richer when he dissolved the monasteries and seized their land and treasures.

Anne gave Henry a daughter in 1533, who would eventually become  Elizabeth I , the Virgin Queen. They were both disappointed.

Rainbow portrait of Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn's daughter

When Anne miscarried a son in 1536, Henry had had enough, after just 3 short years of marriage. Anne, like Catherine before her, had failed to deliver the goods.

Plus, Henry’s passion had waned, with the thrill of the chase gone. Henry was already interested in another woman who would become wife #3, Jane Seymour.

To get rid of Anne, Henry arrested her on trumped up charges of treason and adultery. Anne was executed on the Tower of London green in 1536. Today, a memorial marks the spot.

Henry married Jane 11 days later. They were only married 18 months. She died in childbirth after giving birth to a son, Arthur, who only lived to 15.

If the Boleyn family shot to fame because of a besotted suitor, they fell from grace with breathtaking speed after Anne’s execution. When Thomas died two years later, a heartless Henry promptly confiscated Anne’s childhood home.

Hever Castle

Hever Castle would come in handy as a bargaining chip when Henry opted to get rid of his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, who Henry dubbed the “Flanders Mare.”

When Henry divorced Anne, he gave her the castle as part of the divorce settlement and she went quietly. Given Henry’s ruthlessness, she was lucky to keep her head.

When Anne died in 1557, her stepdaughter Mary Tudor gifted the castle to Sir Edward Walgrave. By the turn of the century, the castle had faded from the limelight.

In 1903, William Waldorf Astor, the richest man in America, bought Hever Castle. He immediately embarked on lavish full scale renovations lasting 5 years.

He renovated the interior and added some Tudor cottages, the beautiful gardens, and a lake. A stickler for detail, he used the same materials and tools as Tudor era craftsman. So, while it’s not exactly as Anne and Henry saw it, it has an authentic feel.

ancient drawbridge and portcullis

Waldorf’s son John inherited the castle upon his father’s death in 1919.

In 1963, John’s son Gavin opened the castle and gardens to the public for the first time. The castle was then sold to the Broadland Properties and the Guthrie family in 1983.

They took over the running of the castle and built up the portrait collection. The purchase price wasn’t disclosed, but the castle was valued at $24 million.

Legend holds that the ghost of Anne haunts the castle grounds on May 19, the anniversary of her death. She’s also been spotted during Christmas-time under an oak tree where she and Henry used to tryst.

loggia in the Italian Garden

Hever Castle is not only a favorite of travelers to England but is also a favorite of filmmakers. It’s been a filming location for the movies The Great , The Princess Bride , Inkheart , and Anne of a Thousand Days.

Guide To Hever Castle: What To See

You enter Hever Castle across a drawbridge over a 15 yard wide moat. Astor restored the bridge.

The portcullis (the latticed grill that slides down across the entrance) is one of the oldest working portcullises in Britain.

Inside, you’ll find cozy and inviting Tudor rooms — massive wooden beams, ornate columns, wood paneling and carvings, and rich colors. There aren’t really a lot of exhibits. The highlight for me was the Tudor portraits.

1. Morning Room

In Tudor times, the Morning Room was originally a private retiring room. You’ll find stunning paneling, furnishings, and a mahogany fire pole dating from the 17th century.

Library of Hever Castle

The lovely library overlooks the Anne Boleyn Orchard in the gardens. It houses 2,500 leather books marked with the Astor coat of arms and printed on private presses. The ceiling was copied from Hampton Court Palace .

3. Drawing Room

This room once contained domestic offices during the Tudor period. Astor transformed it into a drawing room in 1905. You’ll see beautiful oak paneling and an ornate plaster ceiling.

4. Henry VIII’s Bedroom

Historians believe that Henry stayed in the castle when courting Anne. The room is the largest bedroom in the castle, so may have been where Henry stayed. It’s an Astor recreation with Tudor period elements.

The 16th century carved walnut frieze above the fireplace was originally the front of a chest. The coffered ceiling is original and one of the oldest in the castle, dating from 1462.

Portrait of Catherine of Aragon, Henry's first wife, in the Long Chamber

5. Tudor Portraits In The Long Gallery

Built by the Boleyns in the 16th century, the 98 feet long Long Gallery extends across the entire width of the Castle. This was my favorite space.

Henry VIII once held court here. The gallery was also used for entertaining guests, taking exercise, and displaying art collections.

The ornate plaster ceiling is an early 20th century reconstruction in the Tudor style, which was added by Nathaniel Hitch.

The Long Gallery is now home to 18 portraits hung in dynastic order that tell the saga of the Tudor dynasty, starting from Henry VI and ending with Henry VIII. 

portraits in the Long Gallery

It’s a permanent exhibition curated by David Starkey. The portrait collection is one of the most famous in Britain, second in quality only to Britain’s National Portrait Gallery.

The gallery contains the only known portrait of Henry’s older brother Arthur, Catherine of Aragon’s first husband. There’s also a rare portrait of Mary Queen of Scots and another rare portrait of Richard III. The latter was never displayed in public before being installed in the Long Gallery in 2019.

The coats of arms in the Long Gallery’s stained glass commemorate the different residents of Hever Castle, including Anne of Cleves, William de Hever, Anne Boleyn, and Sir John Fastolf. 

6. Anne Boleyn’s Bedroom

Anne Boleyn was born in 1501 and spent her childhood at Hever Castle. A spiral staircase leads up to what is believed to have been her bedroom.

It has a carved Tudor bed, a 15th century half domed ceiling, and a portrait of Anne in her “B necklace.” You can even buy your own B necklace in the castle shop.

Room of House, courtesy Hever Castle

7. Anne Boleyn’s Prayer Books

The Room of Hours has some of the only remaining Anne Boleyn memorabilia. Henry VIII destroyed almost everything associated with her after her execution.

You’ll see an exhibition of two of Anne’s illustrated prayer books, one of which is signed. The queen most likely used it for her daily prayer services.

In one book, she wrote asking readers to pray for her, saying: “Remember me when you do pray, that hope doth lead from day to day.”

Digital consoles let visitors to “turn the pages” and see the different illustrations and autographs.

In the same room, you’ll see a large tapestry. It depicts the marriage of Henry’s sister, Princess Mary Rose, to Louis XII of France.

the Great Hall or Dining Hall of Hever castle

8. Great Hall

In the time of the Boleyns, the dining room was known as the Great Hall. This is where the Boleyns would have entertained Henry VIII.

One of the doors has his personal gilt lock. Henry was always worried about assassination, so traveled with his personal locksmith to keep him safe. He may also have used the lock to prevent any interruptions during his late night rendezvous.

The fireplace is made of ornately carved stone and topped with the Boleyn coat of arms. The massive dining table dates form the 16th century and the 24 chairs are from the 17th century.

This room is rented out for parties and weddings.

Queen's Chamber

9. Queen’s Chamber

In the Queen’s Chamber, you’ll see five portraits Henry VIII’s wives. (The portrait of Henry’s other wife, Catherine of Aragon, is on display in the Long Gallery.)

There’s an ornate carved wooden bed. Astor bought it believing it was Anne Boleyn’s bed due to the inscription of her name.

You’ll also see mannequins of Anne Boleyn, her sister Mary, and Henry VIII in the room. There’s also a fairly newly-acquired portrait of Henry VIII that depicts him as the vigorous young king who courted Anne.

Staircase Gallery, courtesy Hever Castle

10. Staircase Gallery

The Staircase Gallery was created by Thomas Bullen in 1506 over the Entrance Hall.

It was meant to give access between the two wings of the house. In this gallery, you’ll find a rare portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, probably from the studio of French artist Francois Clouet.

11. Waldegrave Room

This room is named after the Waldegrave family, who lived at Hever in the late Tudor and Stuart dynasties. They were favorites of Queen “Bloody Mary” and moved in after Anne of Cleves died.

Inside the room, there’s a beautiful carved four poster bed dating from the late 15th century.

Hidden behind paneling, you can also see a small chapel with stained glass windows. This was where the Waldegraves secretly practiced Catholicism after Mary died.

Waldegrave Room

12. Gatehouse

Your tour ends in the oldest part of the castle, the 13th century Medieval Council Chamber in the gatehouse. It has a Gothic fireplace with impressive tracery.

13. Special Exhibitons

The castle puts on special exhibitions from time to time.

Right now, to mark the 500th anniversary of Anne Boleyn’s arrival at the royal court, Hever Castle is hosting an exhibition exploring her early life and the culture in which she grew up.

The exhibition will run until November 2022. It’s included in your ticket.

wooden bridge in the Hever Castle gardens

14. Gardens

Your next stop on this guide to Hever Castle are the magnificent gardens.

If you’re a horticulture love, it’s worth a trip to Hever Castle just to see the heavenly gardens. The award-winning gardens are set over 125 acres.

The peerless Italian Garden is the highlight of the castle gardens. It’s the setting for a collection of classical statuary from Rome to Renaissance times.

There’s a loggia overlooking the lake where you can relax, which was modeled after the Trevi Fountain in Rome . You’ll see Apollo standing on a Corinthian column and walk through beautiful rotundas.

The 5,000 rose bushes put on a stunning display in the Rose Garden. A delicate light pink variety is named after Anne Boleyn, but it’s actually a modern creation.

There’s even a topiary chess set. You can also take the Ann Boleyn Walk through her orchard or walk in the footsteps of Princess Diana on the Diana Walk.

the beautiful rose gardens at Hever Castle

Aside from the myriad gardens, you may see butterflies, robins, and swans on the lake.

The gardens are for some family fun in a place teeming with history, much like Warwick Castle .

You can row boats on the 38 acre lake, wander through yew and water mazes, sniff roses, or try your hand at archery. There’s even an open water swimming course.

The popular yew maze is over 100 years old. The hedge is eight feet high and so dense you can’t see through it, making it a challenge to navigate.

The water maze consists of concentric stepping stones over the lake. When you step on the stones, hidden jets spray water up at random soaking maze-goers. Your goal is to reach the stone cave in the center without getting wet, which isn’t an easy task.

Tudor Village of Hever Castle built by John Astor

15. Tudor Village

The Tudor Village or “Astor Wing” was added on by Astor. It’s connected to the main castle by a charming covered bridge.

The houses are picture perfect images of thatched Tudor cottages with brown and white facades.

Parts of them house a 28 room boutique hotel that you can stay in, called Hever Castle Luxury Bed and Breakfast .

I didn’t stay overnight, so can’t comment on them myself. I imagine it’s quite posh.

16. Jousting & Falconry

Would you like to see some knights in shining armor? For the romantically-inclined, Hever Castle hosts an annual Summer Jousting Tournament in July.

The Royal Knights of England don costumes and entertain visitors with one-on-one combat and action packed displays. You can sit in the medieval stands for a small fee or bring your own blanket.

On selected summer days, there are also falconry displays.

loggia and fountain in the Italian Garden

Practical Guide & Tips For Visiting Hever Castle

Hever Edenbridge Kent TN8 7NG

2. How To Get To Hever Castle

Hever Castle is just 30 miles from London and makes the perfect half or full day trip. The easiest way to get there is by car. The drive takes about 1:15. There’s a free parking lot onsite.

You can also to get to Hever Castle by train. Trains run from London Victoria and London Bridge Stations to Edenbridge Town Station.

From there, you take a taxi for 3 miles to the castle. You should book a taxi in advance for both legs of the trip.

mannequin of Anne and Henry in the Queen's Chamber

Alternatively, you can take the train from Victorian Station bound for East Grimstead, disembark in Oxted, transfer to the Uckfield-bound train, and exit at Hever Station. From there, it’s a one mile walk to the castle.

From Heathrow Airport:

It’s about a 40 minute drive from the airport.

By Guided Tour:

If you’d rather someone else handle the transportation and tickets, you can book one of several different guided day tours from London:

  • a full day guided Tudor tour of Hever Castle and Hampton Court Palace
  • a private half day tour to Hever Castle
  • or a 6-8 tour of Hever Castle and Gardens

Click here to check out the different ticket prices. You can purchase a garden only ticket or a castle + garden ticket.

formal walled garden at Hever Castle

From the end of March until mid November, the castle is open daily until 6:30 pm in summer and 5:00 pm in winter. The gardens open at 10:30 am and the castle no later than noon.

The castle is also open during a short Christmas season from the end of November through Christmas Eve. Click here to see opening hours.

5. When To Visit Hever Castle

The gardens are beautiful year round.

In the spring, tulips, daffodils, and azaleas bloom. In the summer, the roses are brilliant. In the autumn, the orchard is full of fiery color and there is a dahlia border.

6. Places To Visit Near Hever Castle

Looking for some places to visit near Hever Castle? Since Hever doesn’t open until noon, there are some other delightful places that could be combined on visit or full day trip.

Harewood House

Harewood House

The Harewood House is a Grade 1 historic English manor home, just 25 minutes from Hever Castle. Harewood House presents the lifestyle of the British aristocracy in all its glory.

The first Baron of Harewood, Edwin Lascelles, commissioned the house in mid-18th century. The house remained with the family and the 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, currently lives there with his family.

Harewood House has interiors by Robert Adam, wall and ceiling paintings by Angela Kaufman, Chippendale furniture, and a garden by Capability Brown.

As befits a noble family, there are family portraits by notable English artists Joshua Reynolds, John Hoppner, and Thomas Lawrence. You’ll also find a fine art collection, with Renaissance masterpieces by Titian and Tintoretto.

Harewood House made an appearance in the Downton Abbey movie, where it was used to host a grand ball.

Address : Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle  is one of Britain’s finest and oldest castles. It has a picturesque setting on a lake in the wooded countryside of Kent. It’s often called England’s most beautiful castle.

The castle was a royal residence until Tudor times. It was a favorite home of Henry VIII, who shuttled his ex-wife Catherine to live there after their divorce. 

In 1926, the castle was bought by American heiress Olive Lady Baillie. She saved it from centuries of neglect and restored it to perfection. She later bequeathed the castle to Britain.

You can  pre-book your castle ticket online . Leeds is just 45 minutes from Hever Castle.

Address : Broomfield, Maidstone ME17 1PL

Chartwell House

Chartwell House

Just 15 minutes from Hever castle Winston Churchill digs, Chartwell House .

It was the country seat of Churchill for over four decades. Chartwell House isn’t a grand home.

Though Churchill could ill afford it, he did try to gussy up the place. Churchill almost lost the house twice because he was broke. 

His friends bought the house and presented it to the UK’s National Trust. Upon Churchill’s death, it opened to the public as a museum.

You can see five rooms where Churchill lived — the dining room, the library, the drawing room, his wife Clementine’s bedroom, and Winston’s study. Three other rooms are filled with Churchill memorabilia. You can also check out his painting studio.

Address : Mapleton Rd, Westerham TN16 1PS

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens

Sissinghurst Castle

Just 40+ minutes from Hever, Sissinghurst Castle is a National Trust property and major highlight for garden lovers. Laid out in the 1930s, the castle boasts one of the world’s greatest romantic gardens.

Former owner and writer Vita Sackville-West designed the gardens to look like rooms of a house. Each one has its own color scheme and theme.

Address: Biddenden Rd, Cranbrook TN17 2AB

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Hever castle. You may enjoy these other London travel guides and resources:

  • 3 Day Itinerary for London
  • 5 Day Itinerary for London
  • Hidden Gems in London
  • 30 Day Trips From London
  • Tourist Traps To Avoid in London
  • Best Museums in London
  • Harry Potter Places in London
  • Guide to the Tower of London
  • Guide to the Churchill War Rooms
  • Guide to Westminster Abbey
  • Guide to St. Paul’s Cathedral
  • One Day in Stratford-upon-Avon
  • One Day In Canterbury

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Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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• School Visits to Kentwell

Country life changed little from medical times until the late 19th Century. Whatever period you may be studying, a visit to a Kentwell Re-Creation will show your students how people lived and worked in the past. All visiting children (and supervising adults!) are encouraged to come dressed in simple period-type clothes to enhance their visit. As one visiting child once put it: "it's like becoming part of the story". Most schoolchildren remember a visit to a Kentwell Re-Creation for the rest of their lives.

Kentwell's re-creations are unique. They offer a scale and depth unmatched anywhere, giving total immersion in the sights, sounds and smells of the past.

An unrivalled experience for students from KS1 through to GCSE - certainly the best enrichment study for any class studying History.

THE 2022 SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

Mon 26 & Tue 27 September 2022 Tudor Living History Days

A visit to a real Tudor Manor in Tudor England! Over 100 costumed characters from all levels of society make up a working community - the best enrichment for the study of history. A fully interactive experience with many hands-on activities, alI set in the year 1549 and spread throughout the house, gardens, and farm. Spend a day at Kentwell and travel through time....

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tudor village school trip

The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

  • Early Modern

10 of the Best Tudor Historical Sites You Can See in Britain

tudor village school trip

Samuel Higson

02 aug 2018.

tudor village school trip

The Tudor period (1498-1603) is well known for its grand palaces. It’s also known for its distinctive black and white styling of architecture, which was incorporated into many of the theatres, street facades and homes of the period.

Tudor architecture is further recognised by its distinctive style of arches-a low and wide arch with a pointed apex is now known as a Tudor arch.

Here are 10 of the best Tudor locations in Britain which represent the architecture, lifestyle and culture of the Tudor dynasty.

1. Hampton Court

tudor village school trip

Hampton Court is a truly iconic Tudor site, being a key palace in the reign of perhaps England’s most famous monarch, Henry VIII . It was built in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, but Henry later seized the palace for himself and enlarged it. Such events as Jane Seymour’s birth to the future King Edward VI took place here.

Henry VIII spent three of his honeymoons and Hampton Court Palace and it was here also that he was told of the infidelity of Kathryn Howard, which would eventually lead to her arrest and execution (and according to some her ghost inhabits the Haunted Gallery).

It is also notable for its gardens, maze, historic real tennis court and huge grape vine which is the largest grape vine in the world.

2. Ann Hathaway’s Cottage

ann hathaways cottege

This picturesque cottage in the leafy village of Shottery, Warwickshire is where William Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, lived as child. It is a twelve roomed farmhouse set in extensive gardens.

The cottage was known as Newlands Farm in Shakespeare’s day and had more than 90 acres of land attached to it. Its exposed timber frame and thatched roof is typical of the Tudor style of architecture for a village cottage.

3. Shakespeare’s Globe

globe theatre

Shakespeare’s globe on the south bank of the Thames is a modern reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre destroyed in a fire in 1613. The original Globe was built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company the Lord Chamberlain’s Men and was where many of Shakespeare’s plays, such as Macbeth and Hamlet, were acted out.

Founded by Sam Wannamaker in 1997, the reconstruction was built as close as possible to the original Globe Theatre from available evidence and measurements. The result is an authentic experience of what theatre, a key aspect of the lifestyle during this period, might have been like.

4. Longleat

longleat house

Built by Sir John Thynne and designed by Robert Smythson, Longleat is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in Britain. The original Augustinian priory which existed on the site was destroyed by fire in 1567.

It took 12 years to complete and is currently is the home of the 7th Marquess of Bath, Alexander Thynn. It was the first stately home to open to the public on a fully commercial basis on 1 April 1949. It’s set within 900 acres which today includes a maze and a safari park.

5. Mary Arden’s Farm

mary arden's house

Located in the village of Wilmcote, roughly 3 miles away from Stratford upon Avon, is a farm owned and lived in by William Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden. It has been a working farmhouse for centuries which has kept it in good condition.

It is also neighbouring Palmers Farmhouse, a Tudor house that unlike Mary’s Arden house, remains largely unchanged. The attraction allows the visitor to experience and explore the daily life on a Tudor farm.

6. Pembroke Castle

pembroke castle

Pembroke castle is a site of significance to Tudor enthusiasts for one key reason: it was here the Tudor dynasty began when Margaret Beaufort gave birth to their first monarch – Henry VII. The castle itself dates back to the 12 th century and epitomizes the image of a medieval castle.

7. St James’s Palace

tudor village school trip

Along with Hampton Court Palace, St James’s Palace is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many owned by King Henry VIII. Though it was always secondary in importance to the Palace of Whitehall during the Tudor period, it is yet an important site that has retained many of its Tudor architectural aspects.

It was built under Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536. Two of Henry VIII’s children died at the Palace: Henry FitzRoy and Mary I. Elizabeth I often resided at the palace, and is said to have spent the night there while waiting for the Spanish Armada to sail up the channel.

8. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey

The history of Westminster Abbey goes back to when it was a Benedictine Abbey in the 10th century. Its reconstruction which was started in 13th century was finally completed when the nave was finished in 1517 during the reign of Henry VIII.

All of the crowned Tudor monarchs except Henry VIII are buried in Westminster Abbey. Henry VII shares a tomb with his wife Elizabeth of York. His mother Margaret Beaufort is also buried nearby. Only one of Henry VIII’s wives is buried in the Abbey: Anne of Cleves.

9. Windsor Castle

windsor castle

Windsor Castle was built in around 1080 under William the Conqueror but its significance as a Tudor historical site is large. It is the burial place of Henry VIII, as well his third wife, Jane Seymour .

Its chapel, St George’s Chapel, was initially built by Edward IV but finished off by Henry VIII; it contains four-centered arches which epitomized the Tudor style of architecture. Henry VIII also built a new gate for the lower ward which is now known as Henry VIII gate.

10. The Tower of London

tower of london

The Tower of London was a site often used by the Tudors, most famously as a prison. Elizabeth I before she became Queen was imprisoned in the Bell Tower by her sister Mary. Thomas More was also imprisoned in the Bell Tower.

The oldest part of the tower complex is the White Tower, built in 1078 under William the Conqueror , and is where Elizabeth of York (Queen to Henry VII) died during her childbirth in 1503.

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Warwick Castle

Cross-curricular school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon

Shakespeare, chocolate and rollercoasters - it's all waiting for you and your students in the Tudor town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

  • Key stage 2 – 16+

Uncover England's Tudor history with a school trip to Stratford

Welcome to Ye Olde England and step back in time with over 800 years of history. You and your students can visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and see how life was like for the Tudors from exploring the old buildings, guided history tours of the town, or why not take your drama students on a workshop with Royal Shakespeare company. There is much more within the surrounding area, with Warwick and Birmingham nearby. Subjects that can be easily covered are  history, English, drama and business studies.

We can tailor your itinerary to your unique learning requirements, please contact us for a bespoke quote.

  • Depart school
  • Arrive in Stratford Upon Avon
  • Walking tour with guide – explore the city blue badge holder
  • Evening meal
  • Half-day or full-day workshop with the Royal Shakespeare company
  • Shakespeare’s birthplace

Warwick Castle

Cadbury world, tudor world museum.

  • Early afternoon return back to school

Alton Towers

Hall's croft.

Hall's Croft is a building in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, which was owned by William Shakespeare's daughter, Susanna Hall, and her husband Dr John Hall whom she married in 1607. The building is listed grade I, and now contains a collection of 16th- and 17th-century paintings and furniture.

Visit the world of Chocolate and learn how this wonderful sweet bar is made!

Royal Shakespeare Company

We offer practical opportunities to make Shakespeare vivid, accessible and enjoyable for young people and their teachers, using approaches from our rehearsal rooms to help them make and develop their own interpretations of Shakespeare’s work.

Shakespeare’s Birthplace

Shakespeare's Birthplace is a restored 16th-century half-timbered house situated in Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, where it is believed that William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and spent his childhood years.

Stratford Butterfly Farm

This farm is home to an “Emerging Cage” where pupils will have the opportunity to witness a butterfly emerge from its chrysalis as well discovering more about the tropical rainforest environments and the other plants and animals that thrive in this habitat.

Step back in time and experience a slice of what it was like to lead a Tudor life. Put your feet up in a four-poster bed, see what it would have been like to sit at an Elizabethan dining table and imagine ruling the land by taking your seat on a throne.

Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences make Warwick Castle one of the most exciting historic locations in Europe. Capture the imagination of your students as they witness 1,100 years of history come vividly to life, in one of Britain’s finest medieval fortresses.

Our Stratford upon Avon school trips include:

  • Board and lodging as specified in your itinerary
  • A detailed itinerary with pre-booked excursions
  • Return coach travel
  • Free teacher to student ratio approx 1:8
  • 24-hour emergency support

Extras to budget for:

  • Entrances other than those specified in your itinerary
  • Hotel damage deposits

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Bringing history to life is one of our specialities at Selly Manor Museum.

Every year we run hundreds of interactive experiences for school visits and welcome thousands of school children to learn about The Tudors, The Great Fire of London, Bournville and much more. We also conduct regular guided tours and talks for students, adult groups and the general public. 

In this section, you can find out about what we offer and how to book a visit for your group. Please use the menu on this page to discover more.

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Tudor World

  • Warwickshire
  • Posted 4 years ago

School trip to Tudor World

Tudor World is an award winning museum situated right in the heart of the historic town of Stratford upon Avon. Within a Grade 2* listed historic building, the museum depicts the different aspects of Tudor life: from plague to punishment.

An educational, fun and interactive class visit

Tudor World offers a fun-packed educational day that will leave the children buzzing with inspiration at this LOtC approved venue.

Everything is taken care of, from the risk assessment, lesson plan and booking to the action-packed day, which is lead by qualified theatre and education staff.

The venue has a choice of three different ‘days’ to choose from:

  • A Tudor Day (guided tours and workshop: discover different aspects of life in the Tudor period, including what it was like in the theatre, the army and crime and punishment). Plus a guided tour of Stratford with William Shakespeare.
  • A Shakespeare / Entertainment Day (guided tours and workshop: discover the language, insults and compliments of Shakespeare and theatre). Plus a guided tour of Stratford with William Shakespeare.
  • A Crime & Punishment Day (guided tours and workshop: meet the gaoler and be involved in a trial). Plus a guided tour of Stratford with William Shakespeare.

The museum itself is very atmospheric and visually stimulating, giving the children a real feel of the Tudor / Shakespeare era. The Elizabethan Theatre area provides various equipment associated with punishment. The whole day is educational but fun and interactive.

40 Sheep Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6EE 01789 298070 [email protected] Visit Tudor World website for schools

School visit information displayed was correct at the time of publishing. Please check with the venue on their latest educational itinerary for your class visit.

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History of Britain from Roman times to Restoration era

Tudor Village at Hever Castle

Facts about Medieval Tudor Villages

The typical Medieval Tudor villages would consist of a number of small cottages with thatched roofs. They would be situated close to a church and an inn and a water pump. There may also have been a village school as well as a large barn, and for those found guilty of having committed a crime, there would be a pair of stock in the centre of the village.

Tudor Village Houses

The houses were not built in an orderly way. They were scattered in the village. Each house had a kitchen garden and a small poultry farm. Most homes were small and very simple with just one or two rooms. They had a frame made of wood, often constructed by bending down tree branches.

The walls were made of mud and they had a thatched roof. The church was the only building made of stone where people attended services.  Some villages also contained a castle where the lord lived.

Tudor village

Tudor Village Life Information

Life in the average Tudor village was very simple. Many of the larger villages would host a weekly market, this would generally be centred around the market cross, this was the Medieval High Cross which would stand in the centre of most villages.

Most villages were almost fully self-sufficient which meant that a great deal of travel was not necessary to visit nearby villages and towns to access their markets.

facts about medieval towns

Tudor villages in England would be surrounded by land used for growing vegetables and crops, there would be pigsty’s and hen houses as well as a dairy so that all of the daily needs of the villagers were met. Market fairs were held though, in some of the larger towns, this meant that very often villagers would have to undertake a long and dangerous journey to attend.

Money in these villages was in very short supply. People would, therefore, barter in trade instead of using the money to buy what they needed. For example, fresh eggs from one person could be exchanged for fresh vegetables or bread from another.

Entertainment in Tudor villages

The villages in Tudor times would become quiet after dark. People would spend their time talking and sitting by the fire. There was leisure time on Sundays, and people went to the church. They would gather around, gossip and play games. A few glasses of ale would be enjoyed after the services.

The women in the villages would work together sewing and spinning while the men played games. They enjoyed games such as bowling, chess and nine man’s morris.

Tudor Towns in England

What were Tudor towns like?

Medieval Tudor village or Tudor towns were larger than villages and had more amenities for the people to make use of. They were, however, much more crowded than the villages and as such much less sanitary and unhealthier.

Tudor Towns in England

Houses in these towns, as indeed in the cities of the day were timber-framed and built closely together. A town would be home to shops and perhaps some trades that would not be found in villages such as a tailor or a shoemaker.

Leisure Activities in Tudor Villages

A town would still be home to at least one church if not more, in order to accommodate the religious needs of the people that lived there. A town would also be able to support a number of inns, which would provide Ales and beer to the population as well as lodgings to visitors.

Tudor Village at Hever Castle

In both villages and town, there was little time for leisure activities throughout the working week, evenings were spent quietly either in conversation or in playing games popular at the time. Sunday was the only day that people really had to socialize and enjoy some leisure time.

Church took up the morning, which was an opportunity to catch up on the latest gossip and news, while the inns were popular with people after the church service.

Tudor Place Georgetown

Tudor women would group together and spend their time spinning or sewing, exchanging stories and news with each other while the men busied themselves with games of skittles. Board games such as nine man’s Morris, chess and draughts were also popular.

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Tudor School Trip Ideas

Is your class currently studying the Tudor period? If so, we’ve got the plenty of Tudor School Trip ideas listed below for you. Tudor School Trips take educational groups on a historical adventure back in time, where students will be provided with immersive learning experiences that captivate the imagination. The Tudor era is a subject of great fascination – from The War of the Roses to the life and works of William Shakespeare, the Tudor period is a topic that has something to engage every student.

We have a wide selection of Tudor School Trips listed on our directory. At The Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, school groups can explore the historic site of The Battle of Bosworth – the last significant battle of the War of the Roses. Bosworth’s knowledgeable guides will bring the battle to life and lively demonstrations will educate pupils about the armour, weapons, and combat techniques of this era. The Shakespeare Family Homes provides educational groups with a rather different Tudor School Trip experience. Here, classes will receive a “Shakespeare-centred” learning experience, where students will develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s life and works. And your class could even take to the water on The Matthew of Bristol. The Matthew provides school groups with boating School Trips that highlight life on board a Tudor Ship.

Take a look at School Trip operators we have listed below for more Tudor School Trip inspiration.

Tudor Workshops & History Ideas for Schools

tudor village school trip

The Wizard Walk of York Magical Walking Tours

The only educational walking tours in York specifically aimed at school groups KS1 & 2, and winner of many awards including Best Tour 2023 and

tudor village school trip

The Jorvik Group JORVIK Viking Centre York

Discover the Return of the Vikings to York at the newly re-imagined JORVIK Viking Centre.

tudor village school trip

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre Workshops

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre provides educational groups with historically focused school workshops that can be concentrated on either the Tudor or Roman period.

tudor village school trip

English Heritage West Midlands

English Heritage should be applauded for their development of the Discovery Visit, which interprets the story of a site, giving a sense of time and

tudor village school trip

The Matthew of Bristol

All trips are designed to fit in with the national history KS1 and 2 curriculum. It highlights Bristol’s local history, John Cabot and the discovery

tudor village school trip

The Golden Hinde School Tours and workshops London

At The Golden Hinde, the use of costumed educators and reenactments makes history come to life. This historical school trip allows students to experience what

tudor village school trip

Southchurch Hall Museum Essex

Southchurch Hall museum is housed in the half-timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century.

tudor village school trip

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World Outreach Workshops

All our educational outreach visits can be tailored to your topics and requests. We have worked tirelessly putting together a program that hits all the

tudor village school trip

English Heritage North West

tudor village school trip

Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, Oxfordshire provides 1000 years of History perfect for educational historical learning. The site appears in the Domesday Book of 1086

tudor village school trip

English Heritage East of England

We aim to promote a greater understanding & enjoyment of the historic environment. We offer learning groups FREE ENTRY to 400 + venues, along with

tudor village school trip

English Heritage Yorkshire

tudor village school trip

English Heritage Greater London

Iron Age Settlements, Roman Forts, Medieval Abbeys, Tudor Castles, Victorian Mansions and Gardens, and even World War Fortresses – you name it, our exceptional, out-of-the-classroom

tudor village school trip

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Warwickshire

A visit to Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall provides school groups with fun, informal and authentic experiences that bring history to life.

tudor village school trip

National Holocaust Centre and Museum Outreach Workshops

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum provide an outreach service Nationwide bringing expertise and creativity to provide access to museum collections and testimony of Holocaust

tudor village school trip

The Jorvik Group Barley Hall York

Barley Hall (Jorvik Viking Group) is a medieval townhouse – once home to the Lord Mayor of York. Located on the doorstep of York Minster,

tudor village school trip

FabDrumming Workshops

FabDrumming workshops provides schools in the South West with musical experiences that are fun, creative and rhythmic. This allows for your pupils to express themselves

tudor village school trip

Ufton Court Educational Trust Residential School Trips

On an Ufton Court Residential School Trip, educational groups can enjoy historically themed evening banquets, where students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in

tudor village school trip

Clink Prison Museum London

Built on the original site of the Clink Prison – one of England’s oldest Prisons. You can experience hands-on original artefacts, including torture devices, &

tudor village school trip

English Heritage East Midlands

tudor village school trip

Dance Days Educational Dance Workshops

Dance Days delivers educational Workshops where pupils have the chance to learn through over 30 different dance styles, many of which link directly to school

tudor village school trip

Viking Experience Days – Primary School Workshops in the Midlands

Viking Experience Days deliver Viking Workshops directly to your school! Your educational group will be provided with a top quality school trip experience without having

tudor village school trip

Theatre Workshop Living History Workshop

Our Living history workshops is a highly-renowned outreach experience that has been educating students for 25 years; we offer fully interactive workshops that will engage

tudor village school trip

ReachOut Educate Interactive History Workshops

ReachOut Educate Workshops provide outreach services to schools focusing on the following topics: Anti Bullying, Cyber Bullying, Author/Illustrator, Tudors & Stuarts, Romans, Medieval, Middle Ages,

tudor village school trip

English Heritage South West

tudor village school trip

Shakespeare’s Family Homes Tours and Workshops Stratford-upon-Avon

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is an independent, educational charity dedicated to deepening the understanding of Shakespeare’s works & times. We offer a range of informative

tudor village school trip

Tudor World in Shakespeare’s Stratford upon Avon

Tudor World is an award winning museum situated right in the heart of the historic town, Stratford upon Avon. Within a Grade 2* listed historic

tudor village school trip

English Heritage North East

tudor village school trip

Celtic Harmony Art in Prehistory Day Workshops

Celtic Harmony Art Workshops will come to your school in the south east and provide historical workshop talks and activities that include; art in prehistory,

tudor village school trip

Teach Wild Outdoor Learning Workshops London and South East

Teach Wild Outdoor Learning Workshops in London and in the South offer practical outdoor learning workshops for primary school children. Learning outside the classroom creates

tudor village school trip

School Trips at Bristol Museums

Bristol Museums offer a wide range of school trips, where subjects such as history, literature, science and art are brought to life! Students will have

tudor village school trip

PrimeVR Virtual Reality School Workshops Nationwide

PrimeVR is the UK’s leading VR workshop provider and it’s no wonder why! PrimeVR uses state-of-the-art technology to bring the outside world into the classroom,

tudor village school trip

Portals To The Past School History Workshops

All our workshops are run by enthusiastic, outgoing specialists, who know how to connect with students at the appropriate level.

tudor village school trip

Tower Bridge Workshops London

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your literacy topic, an opportunity for young historians to test their enquiry skills, or for a school trip experience

tudor village school trip

Carlisle Castle Cumbria

An impressive frontier fortress with 900 years of history – excellent for Medieval, Tudor and Civil War topics. Carlisle Castle provides students with a sense

tudor village school trip

Selly Manor Museum Birmingham

Every year, more than 6000 school children visit Selly Manor. Most of them visit to study the Tudors, but some visit to look at the

tudor village school trip

DIG An Archaeological Adventure York

Jorvik DIG with four special in-door excavation pits, all based on real-life digs in the city and filled with replica Roman, Viking, Medieval, and Victorian

tudor village school trip

Historical Interpretations Hands on History Workshops North of England

Historical Interpretations History Workshops provide “Hands on History” for KS2 classes up to University students. Areas covered are York, Oxford and the North of England.

tudor village school trip

Canterbury Guided Tours – City walking tours for schools

Canterbury Guided Tours provide entertaining 90-minute interactive educational city walking tours for groups; an ideal opportunity to experience outdoor learning whilst enjoying the rich history

tudor village school trip

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

At The Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, school groups can explore the historic site of the Battle of Bosworth – an event beyond living memory which

tudor village school trip

Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Gardens provides school trips & educational visits with great tours, exhibitions & interactive workshops, explore the Tudor gardens, medieval kitchens, great

tudor village school trip

Ufton Court Educational Trust Activity Centre

Ufton Court provides educational groups with engaging History School Trips and Outdoor Learning Courses. Whether you want to explore the Grade 1 Tudor Manor House,

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Find out what was life like for people in Tudor Somerset

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tudor village school trip

What was life like for people in Tudor Somerset?

This workshop will help you find out. Explore Tudor costumes and objects, learn to read and write like a Tudor, and visit our amazing almshouse where you’ll get hands-on with history.

Please note: the almshouse is not available during the winter months and alternative activities are put in place.

Booking and Contact

To enquire about booking a workshop, please complete our booking enquiry form.

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History days for Key Stages 1 to 3 at Tudor World

2017-01-17T16:44:16+00:00

Tudor World

Located in Stratford upon Avon, in a Grade II listed Tudor building, is Tudor World, where pupils studying History can get involved in hands-on, engaging workshops and activities.

The Tudor era began when Henry VII (Henry Tudor) became King of England in 1485 after he defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.

The Tudor reign continued until 1603 when Elizabeth I died.

The Tudor period saw three kings, Henry VII, Henry VIII and Edward VI, and three queens take to the throne: Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen; and Mary Tudor and Elizabeth Tudor, Henry VIII’s daughters. Of course, there were others who became queens when they married into the throne, such as Henry VIII’s six wives Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr.

The Tudor World museum is dedicated to teaching visitors about the Tudors, from the kings and queens mentioned above, to the gory fates and high treason of the time.

School Travel Organiser looks at why a trip to Tudor World could be a memorable experience for pupils between Key Stages 1 and 3.

tudor village school trip

Pictured: School pupils taking part in a Tudor workshop.

There are various options for school trips, including specialised days that look at different aspects of Tudor life. 

The first option for school trips is a Tudor Day, where pupils are invited to learn about the Tudors whilst exploring the museum, theatre area and workshop room. 

There are several workshops involved in Tudor Day: in workshop one, children learn about groundlings, food, the role of peasants to kings, and plays. They will also discover what it was like to be in the army of Henry VIII and the structure of the army – who was on the front line and who rode in on horseback.

Workshop two during Tudor Day will look at crime and punishment. Children will get involved in a trial of a traitor, which includes role play to unearth whether they are guilty or innocent. Pupils will take a look at Tudor punishments and executions such as the stocks and pillories, the ducking stool, a scold’s bridal, and beheading.

The third activity will be a tour of the museum where schools can discover what life was like during Shakespeare’s time and learn about the local history of Shrieve’s House, which belonged to an archer under Henry VIII’s reign. Children will discover the throne room, what it was like in a Tudor school, and the plague.

The day will be completed with a guided tour of Stratford upon Avon with a costumed guide, where schools can find out more about Shakespeare’s life and work and the buildings and life in the Tudor Period.

tudor village school trip

Pictured: Costumed guide.

Shakespeare Day, Crime and Punishment Day and Health and Medicine Day

With a similar itinerary to Tudor Day, schools can arrange a Crime and Punishment Day, a Shakespeare Day and a Health and Medicine Day. These all include a similar layout but are tailored more specifically towards each topic.

The first thing pupils will learn on a Shakespeare Day trip is what theatre was like during Shakespearean times. This will be followed by an activity that gets the pupils involved in Shakespearean language by writing and performing a sonnet. 

The Crime and Punishment Day teaches pupils what it was like to be in an Elizabethan gaol, what people could be convicted of and what the punishments were. The second part of the day will include a workshop where pupils can take part in the role play of the trial of a ‘spy’ whose fate in Tudor times would have been execution.

The Health and Medicine Day allows students to find out about the belief in the ‘humours’ that regulated the body and some of the more unusual cures that were believed to cure the plague. Schools will then move on to learn about the barber surgeons and their roles on both land and sea.

For Key Stage 3 pupils, the topic of Development of Society in Britain can be arranged, which looks at all matters of Tudor life in comparison to other eras and present day.

All of these workshop days are also completed with a tour of the museum and a tour of Stratford upon Avon with an actor dressed as William Shakespeare.

For more information visit www.tudorworld.com . 

  • KS1 (Ages 5-7)
  • KS2 (Ages 7-11)
  • KS3 (Ages 11-14)
  • Museums & Galleries

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Henry VIII School Visits

Our Tudor school visit offers an outstanding opportunity for historical enquiry through artefacts.  It is a very special day in school, packed with learning.  Designed so that pupils get the opportunity to meet King Henry VIII, the visit is also very hands-on with lots of short and stimulating workshops.

 In our local area, both of us spend the day in school and can work with several classes at no extra cost.  Greg begins the day as King Henry and will usually change into Henry’s Court Jester, Will Sommers, whilst Lisa delivers as Catherine Parr.  Further afield, the day can easily be adapted for one Specialist to deliver an outstanding Tudor day in school, single-handed.

The royal visitors will lead a series of half hour sessions on a given aspect of Henry’s life or Tudor life in general and, depending on numbers, some of the sessions can be teacher-led to accommodate several classes separately.

Coming face to face really enables a very exciting and direct form of learning, as children interrogate these fascinating characters from history.  Key learning objectives on each wife and other aspects of Henry’s life are always included.

The typical structure for the day is as follows:

tudor village school trip

Feasting Session

Catherine Parr introduces Good King Hal and herself.  Children are dressed in Tudor clothing and work as servants for Henry, laying his table for a fine feast as he introduces the day.

tudor village school trip

Where does the King want his pizzle pot to be placed?!

tudor village school trip

Henry or Catherine display a replica ink well and pounce pot and these are passed around for young scholars to handle, along with an authentically reproduced copy of Gilbertus Angelicus (complete with urine chart and other illuminations!).

A replica horn book is handled, illuminated letters are discussed and children set about copying out the Lord’s Prayer using a class set of goose feather quill pens and ink.

tudor village school trip

Tudor Health

Health & medicine.

Catherine explains the basic (and ancient) concept of the four humours, on which Tudor medicine was based.  Children are asked to chop and grind ingredients in pestle and mortars to make typical and authentic Tudor remedies.  Some of the remedies would actually work for various reasons and these are explored … but Catherine fully expects that raisins, lettuce and petals, ground up and mixed together will cure bubonic plague – so feel free to comment, tutors!

tudor village school trip

Children are taught various Tudor Dances by King Henry, discussing different types and why rich and poor people dance them.  This session works well in a hall and children learn a courtly Pavan; the follow-my-leader-style Farandol and a peasant’s Branle.  (If either Royal personage catches the other dancing a branle, much hilarity ensues!)

Pastimes, Toys & Games

Court Jester, Will Sommers discusses Henry’s failing health and laments his ill humour.  He shows the children some juggling and regrets that the King no longer finds it diverting.  Breughel’s Children’s Games is displayed and games are identified and explained for children to play.  An outstanding collection of replica toys is available for children to enjoy.

tudor village school trip

Crime & Punishment

Depending on numbers, this session can be teacher-led.  Children engage in matching activities looking at individual Tudor “crimes” and how they were likely to be punished.  Optionally, classes can re-enact scenes in groups as role play activities, linking to PSHE.

tudor village school trip

Tudor Rose Badge Making

Whilst the heraldry of the houses of York and Lancaster are discussed, a Yorkist livery badge of the Rose En Soleil and a Tudor Rose shield can be passed around.  Children then craft their own Tudor Rose Badge, with paper or card, pens or pencils to be provided in school, please.  (We provide safety pins but will doubtless be bamboozled by any mention of sticky tape!)

  In schools where teachers have already included Tudor Roses in their planning, we can offer a session on Heraldry as an alternative.  Children explore the meanings of different ordinaries, colours and heraldic symbols and design their own coat of arms.

tudor village school trip

Storytelling

tudor village school trip

We usually end the day with groups back together in the hall for storytelling and/or a Mummers’ Play of the Battle of Bosworth which underlines some of the learning from the day in a lighthearted fashion as confident children are asked to get involved in telling the tale.

We work fully in role as King Henry and his wife. This means that we use our subject knowledge to respond to questions and talk as they would do. To achieve this we use a medieval-flavoured pattern of speech to lend a realistic feel to our words whilst remaining clear enough for children to understand. The overall experience for children is then an immersive one where they feel they have truly met Henry and gained a picture of his life. The sessions are interactive and involve all of the children.

The day is fully risk assessed and this can be emailed upon request.  Confirmation of booking is taken as a contract between the school and The Specialists and acceptance of our T & C’s .

Greg and Lisa McCarthy have many years of experience working with children. Greg is a teacher and Lisa a former Occupational Therapist in learning disabilities. Both have DBS and public liability insurance.

Tudor school visits for education.  We provide a living history and reenactment service as historical interpreters focusing on Henry VIII and his wives.  Our Tudor sessions use dance, writing using quill pens and artefacts such as toys and games, badges and feasting objects for the Tudor table etc. to bring the excitement of real history to your classroom.

tudor village school trip

Some of the locations we travel to for our Tudor workshops are:

East-Midlands, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Leamington, Leicester, Hinckley, Nottingham, Coventry, Birmingham, Tamworth, Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Ilkeston, Swadlincote, Nottinghamshire, Derby, Mansfield, Worksop, Newark, Loughborough, Melton Mowbray, Coalville, Lutterworth, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Nuneaton,  Solihull, Warwick, Rugby, West Midlands.

tudor village school trip

School Travel

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Visit Stratford, home of the RSC & Shakespeare

Visit shakespeare’s home.

Your pupils will get to experience the history, and understand the importance, of England’s greatest poet and playwright, William Shakespeare. A school trip to Stratford-upon-Avon is guaranteed to inspire them as well as provide an insight into life during Tudor times.

Of course, there’s more to Stratford than just Shakespeare. From insights into Elizabethan age at Tudor World, to tropical rainforest environments at Stratford Butterfly Farm and Warwick Castle is not far away.

Check out our itineraries below, or get in touch and we’ll help put together your ideal trip.

Shakespeare Birthplace

Stratford upon Avon Day Trip

Discover Stratford-Upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s home town. Walk in the Bard’s footsteps at New Place, visit the RSC, or experience the sights, smells (!), and sounds of a working Tudor farm.

RSC

Stratford Upon Avon 1 Night

The perfect choice for budding historians on this overnight residential, where pupils will be enthralled and inspired in a unique environment for learning outside the classroom.

Anne Hathaway

Stratford upon Avon 2 Nights

Of course there’s more to Stratford than just Shakespeare, guaranteed to inspire and challenge pupils of all ages. Pupils will be filled with enthusiasm on this tour where we have a number of educational packages available designed to match the curriculum.

Holy Trinity Stratford

OUR Stratford upon Avon ACCOMMODATION:

stratford exterior

Fully refurbished in 2013, this splendid Grade II listed Georgian mansion house is set in over three acres of grounds in the tranquil village of Alveston, just two miles from Shakespeare’s Birthplace. With easy access to historic Stratford-upon-Avon, the hostel has 134 beds in total split into 32 bedrooms, 16 of which are ensuite. Relaxing lounge areas and a games room is available for guests to enjoy.They also have a meeting room available to hire for up to 40 people.

Request a quote

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Medieval School Trips

Life in the Middle Ages

The Medieval period, also sometimes referred to as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 and lasted until the end of the fifteenth century. Browse a rang of Medieval School Trips and workshops below.

In exchange for land, barons, earls and dukes swore oaths of loyalty to their kings. The land division, known as Feudalism, proved a successful way for the country to be governed, controlled and taxed. This age of power and control is perhaps best seen today through the castles that still dominate some of our towns and coastlines. For those not wealthy enough to live in castles (see our dedicated castles page ) and fortified manor houses, life was dominated by farming in the manorial system. In exchange for toiling in the fields, peasants were given protection by the land owner.

During a Medieval School Trip, learn about these fascinating relationships as well as periods such as the Black Death, the Peasants Revolt, the Crusades and the development of Medieval towns - all can be explored at some truly engaging educational venues, up and down the country. We have selected a handful who we feel offer the best experience for your school groups. If you are studying any aspect of life in the Middle Ages, you will find lots of inspiration at the medieval school trip venues featured here.

Short on time? Get some suggestions

Let us find the perfect Medieval experience for your school trip.

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Newcastle Castle outreach brings history right to your classroom. We deliver hands on historical workshops covering almost every period on the Primary Curriculum. Your class won’t just learn about history, they’ll relive it.

tudor village school trip

Where are you and what would you like to do?

Medieval school trips and workshops.

Please use the search filters above to view our full range of Medieval school trips relevant to you.

Castles in Workshop - daily life in a mediaeval castle (1144)

Castles in Workshop - daily life in a mediaeval castle (1144)

The morning workshop focuses on making and role play. The pupils will be met by the Lord or Lady of the castle, who will guide them around the castle (hall). After a short introduction the children will engage in a series of activities and role play that will immerse them in history. While working, the...

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

Bosworth Battlefield helps schools learn about medieval history through our guided walks hosted by our experienced guides, our award-winning exhibition which tells many different stories from history and series of events that take place throughout the year. Our award-winning exhibition brings to...

Ufton Court - Limited dates available

Ufton Court - Limited dates available

At Ufton, we provide engaging history and outdoor learning school trips for Schools across the South East.

Outreach

Our various medieval workshops can cover all aspects of medieval life, including Life in a Castle, medieval food and feasting, law and order, knights training and warfare, dancing, storytelling and more.

The Medieval World!

The Medieval World!

The Medieval era is one of our specialities and we cover this very wide topic from the Norman Invasion, through the Crusader period, the Hundred years War to the 15th Century and the Wars of the Roses!

Newcastle Castle

Newcastle Castle

Built in 1080, Newcastle Castle was defensive fortification throughout medieval times. Our workshops cover the various events that occurred during these times, delivered in the heart of where these events took place.

Medieval Britain

Medieval Britain

Within this workshop we take a look at the broad Medieval period through improvisation; creating pictures in teams of castles and knights. We will also learn a popular Medieval circle dance. A fun song about the Plague will also be learnt within this workshop.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle offers the 'King of the Castle (KS3)' themed workshop. A workshop designed to develop history skills, knowledge and understanding in a series of team challenges. Each session will include a Timeline Challenge, and the teacher will then choose 2 further team activities based on their studies,...

Knights & Castles Workshop & Wow Day

Knights & Castles Workshop & Wow Day

Dan Tastic Education uses a wide array of props, historical items, videos, group discussion and teacher in role style student participation to cover the following topics during a Knights & Castles Wow Day: Castles Armour Castle Life Food & Leisure Siege Weapons Life As A Knight Horses & Transport Peasants...

special offer

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

Coventry enjoyed a 'golden age' in the medieval period, which is reflected in our extensive collections. Coventry has had a rich religious heritage that began with St Osburga's Nunnery and then the Benedictine Priory. By the end of the 1100s Coventry had become established as an important city based...

Cumulus Outdoors Curriculum Day Trips

Cumulus Outdoors Curriculum Day Trips

A short drive from Swanage inland, is Corfe Castle, a quintessential English village which has grown up around an important defensive castle renowned in English history during the Civil war. Now owned and run by the National Trust, your students can visit the castle and learn about how Lady Mary Bankes...

Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage

Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage

Medieval Wales Workshop - Cymru Canoloes

Medieval Wales Workshop - Cymru Canoloes

Step back to the Middle ages and learn about knights, castles, medicine, punishments and much more with fun jousting and dancing activities, dress up, trying on real armour and helmets, holding real swords and shields, seeing and touching artefacts and more!

Cumulus Outdoors Tented Village - Corfe Castle

Cumulus Outdoors Tented Village - Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle, a quintessential English village which has grown up around an important defensive castle renowned in English history during the Civil war. Now owned and run by the National Trust, your students can visit the castle and learn about how Lady Mary Bankes defended the last Royalist garrison...

Immersive Experiences

Immersive Experiences

Session 1 – The Rise of the Godwinssons This session sets the scene by examining the power vacuum left by Edward the Confessor, the meeting of Harold and William and the failure of Tostig. Session 2 – The Battle of Stamford Bridge Students learn to train in the shield wall, Saxon against...

free trip

Warkworth Castle

Discover Warkworth Castle and get essential insight into Medieval England using our interactive activity trail, including helpful teacher notes and an A5 activity booklet for students. We also offer a teachers' resource pack, activity ideas and a castle timeline.

Kings, Queens & Castles Workshop

Kings, Queens & Castles Workshop

Explore the daily life of people in the Medieval times! We bring our mini-museum of artefacts for the students to explore in a hands-on and engaging workshop session so we can find out the answers to all their questions! What was it like to have lots of money? What did they eat? What did they wear? What...

Peveril Castle

Peveril Castle

Discover Peveril Castle and get essential insight into life in a medieval castle using our interactive activity trail, including helpful teacher notes and an activity booklet for students. We also offer a teachers' resource pack, activity ideas and a castle timeline.

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle

Plan a free self-led visit and organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Explore Richmond Castle, consider why the Normans built here, and imagine what life was like during the medieval period. Download our Teachers' Kit for useful information and learning activity suggestions for before, during...

Cliffords Tower

Cliffords Tower

Clifford's Tower was a symbol of his power and today is a lasting remnant of the medieval castle. Let your students experience what life was like in medieval York, learning about the castle structure and important events like the Jewish massacre of 1190. Use our freely available learning resources from...

Conisbrough Castle

Conisbrough Castle

Explore the impressive keep and imagine what like was like in a medieval castle. To enhance learning, book an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop: • MEET THE MEDIEVALS (KS1-3): Explore the lives of the people who lived and worked here. Investigate artefacts from the past, to discover what life was...

Dover Castle

Dover Castle

Explore Dover Castle’s medieval history in the Great Tower keep and Medieval Tunnels. Enhance your learning with an expert-led KNIGHTS, FEASTS AND GARDEROBES (KS1-3) Discovery Visit workshop, to find out what life was like for the lords and ladies who lived at the Castle and for those who served them....

Carlisle Castle

Carlisle Castle

During the medieval period, Carlisle Castle was a strategic border castle, experiencing sieges and changing ownership many times. Visit for free to learn more about how the site developed over time, and use the 'Top Things to See' list in the Teacher's Kit to help you identify the key features of the...

Viking and Anglo-Saxon Workshop

Viking and Anglo-Saxon Workshop

The Vikings and Anglo-Saxons were key figures in the creation of the Medieval world. The Normans bring the Early-Medieval period to an end after the historical events of 1066, when William the Conqueror seizes the kingdom of England. Bring the Battle of Hastings to your classroom with our workshops...

Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle

Explore Carisbrooke Castle, climb the walls to look out from the top of the defences, and imagine what life was like in the medieval period. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop, to investigate the history of the castle through costume, role play and handling objects.

Roman Trips for Primary and Middle Schools - Curriculum Travel

Roman Trips for Primary and Middle Schools - Curriculum Travel

Embark on a journey back in time with Curriculum Travel’s Medieval Experience, tailored for primary and middle schools. Dive into the heart of the Middle Ages, where castles stood tall and knights roamed the land. Our immersive tours transport students to iconic medieval sites, offering a hands-on...

Orford Castle

Orford Castle

Orford Castle was very strategically important in the medieval period. Your class can learn about how the castle was given to Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, in 1261. Bigod was loyal to Henry III and supported him in 1264 when the Second Baron's War broke out. During the civil war the castle was captured...

Themed Storytelling

Themed Storytelling

The stories of medieval societies provide us with opportunities to understand what they thought, how they thought, and why. But studies repeatedly prove that information learned from stories is overwhelmingly more memorable – making storytelling the perfect introduction to knowledge-rich learning. Our...

Historical Experiences

Historical Experiences

THE MEDIEVAL WORLD: • 1066: THE YEAR OF 4 KINGS (FULL DAY) • CASTLES: CONQUEST & CONTROL • ECCLESIASTICAL ENTERPRISES • MURDEROUS MEDIEVAL MEDICINE • SEVERE SIEGES • WEAPONS & WARFARE • COURTS & CHIVALRY • BARBARIC BATTLES: EVESHAM, BANNOCKBURN, AGINCOURT, BOSWORTH

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden

MEDIEVAL – Explore Kenilworth Castle to discover the story of this medieval castle, and the siege of 1266. Download the Teachers’ Kit, available from the English Heritage website, with activities to support learning before, during and after your visit. To enhance learning, book an expert-led Discovery...

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield

Follow William the Conqueror’s journey leading to the Battle of Hastings, and discover what he did after winning the battle. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery Visit Workshop: tour the battlefield and learn about the events of the Norman Conquest in CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3). For...

Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Beeston Castle and Woodland Park

Explore Beeston Castle and imagine what life was like defending it in the medieval period. Enhance learning with an expert-led FORTRESS CASTLE Discovery Visit workshop, perfect for KS2, to investigate the history of the castle through costume, role play and handling objects.

Hands on History Online

Hands on History Online

Session 1 – Castles & Catapults Students learn the construction and deployment of castles as they plan, build and test the quality of their own constructions.  Session 2 – Weapons & Warfare This 2-part session looks at weapons, arms and armour in both close battlefield combat and siege...

Goodrich Castle

Goodrich Castle

Explore this quintessential medieval castle, and look out for defensive features, towers, well and garderobes. Download the Teachers’ Kit from the English Heritage website for historical information and activities to support your teaching before, during and after your visit. Enhance learning with...

Whitby Abbey

Whitby Abbey

A Benedictine monastery was founded at Whitby after the Norman Conquest. You can explore the ruins of the 13th century church for free on a school visit, and learn more about life in the monastery in the on-site exhibition. To enhance your learning, book a MONKS, MONASTERIES AND MEDIEVAL LIFE hands-on...

Creative History Workshops

Creative History Workshops

All of our workshops are differentiated by outcome, which will vary depending on year group. Understanding of the reasons castles were built, why they were built - and how they were laid out. Increased awareness of the different experiences of rich people and poor people - and of men, women and children....

Scarborough Castle

Scarborough Castle

Explore the impressive keep and imagine what life was like in a medieval castle. Use the activity sheet with top 10 things to see, available from the English Heritage website, to guide your visit, and download the Teachers’ Activity ideas for inspiration to help support your teaching before, during...

Portchester Castle

Portchester Castle

Explore the ruins of Richard II's Palace and stand at the top of the Great Tower to survey the landscape. Take your pupils on a historical journey back in time with our costumed interpreters to explore the history and significance of Portchester Castle. Through storytelling and an interactive tour of...

Old Sarum

After the Norman Conquest, a castle was built at Old Sarum, and it was the site of the original Salisbury Cathedral. Use the Black ‘Hidden Now Heard’ backpacks resource to learn about a range of characters and their lives during this period, from William the Conqueror, to John the Gong Farmer. Focus...

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle

Discover the history of Bolsover Castle with your students and bring learning about 1066 and medieval castles to life. The castle as it appears today is based on Charles Cavendish's work in the 1600's, and you can explore the sumptuous rooms of the Little Castle (designed to evoke a Norman great tower),...

Creative School Trips

Creative School Trips

We can arrange visits to a range of castles, stately homes and other attractions where students can learn about Medieval history. Many sites offer guided tours, activities, workshops, costumed characters and opportunities to engage with Medieval life.

Hands on History

Hands on History

Nettlecombe Court Field Centre

Nettlecombe Court Field Centre

Uncover fascinating local histories through hands-on enquiry. Active participation and immersive activities guide children through our ancient past hidden within our modern landscapes. Students will venture back in time as they explore the history of Nettlecombe Court via an activity trail around the...

London & Ipswich-Secret War to Cold War

London & Ipswich-Secret War to Cold War

Embark on a journey through time with Battlefield & History Tours, where we bring the rich tapestry of the Medieval era to life for your students. Our expertly curated Medieval history tours are designed to ignite the imaginations of young minds, transporting them back to a time of knights, castles,...

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle

Standing half on the mainland and half on a jagged headland projecting into the Atlantic, Tintagel Castle is one of the most spectacular historic sites in Britain. Its association with King Arthur also makes it one of the most famous, although the history of the site stretches back centuries before those...

Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom

Isle of Wight - The Island Classroom

We offer Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon, Medieval and Victorian life through an array of historic landscapes, preserved buildings and interactive museums. The Island's unique position off the south coast of England has given it a focus for invasion and defence throughout the ages and you can enjoy a rich...

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle was built by the Bigods, a powerful Norman family in the 12th century. The first stone buildings at the site were probably the work of Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk (d.1177). But it was under his successor, Roger Bigod II (d.1221), that the huge stone curtain walls we see today were...

Cleeve Abbey

Cleeve Abbey

Use our online learning resources in conjunction with an exploration of Cleeve Abbey to learn about how an abbey functioned in the medieval period as an important feature of a community. Peer into the painted chamber to see the 15th century wall painting showing a scene from the Gesta Romanorum, and...

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Save 10% on parkland and attraction entry tickets when you book online

Enjoy free garden entry plus half price parkland entry (mid week visits only).

  • School Visits
  • Education Programme

The year is 1536 - Henry VIII is in the twenty-seventh year of his reign, and three years into his second marriage. But an unexpected twist of fate will see a sudden change in fortune for all associated with Queen Anne. You will find themselves in the midst of intrigue as they assist the servants of the Brereton household in their efforts to unearth the truth which might save their master’s family.

Hear of disturbing events unfolding at court; encounter desperate monks fleeing from Norton Priory, and decipher the charred fragments of a mysterious letter. One of your students may well be accused of a crime, for which their actual innocence cannot protect them in these unstable times. Current research has established an exciting connection between the Brereton family and the real events that shook the kingdom during the days of Anne Boleyn’s downfall. This programme enables students to engage in practical hands on activities necessary to the running of a Tudor household.

Tudor

Learning Outcomes:

Group size:.

This programme can accommodate 12-228 children . You will be allocated to a site (either Old Hall or Farm) depending on your group size and our availability.

Please note that groups of 100+ can only be supported from mid June - end of July. For large groups, period music and/or a falconry demonstration can be arranged for an additional charge.

Activities:

The programme will be mainly held outside (weather depending), so our team make a final decision about specific activities on the morning of the event. However, typical activities include: spinning, wattle & daub, threshing & winnowing and weapons . Don't worry if the weather is poor, we have an indoor programme that is just as exciting and engaging so you won't miss out!

Our advice is to wear sensible shoes, dress warmly and for the weather. Remember - we are a period site without central heating!

Make an enquiry using our Schools Enquiry form or contact us to discuss your requirements at [email protected] / 01625 374428.

Risk Assessment:

Information about risk assessments and our health and safety procedures for this workshop.

Testimonies

‘Children had a fabulous day! Very interactive and informative. Made children think deeper and ask great questions.’ (Bowker Vale Primary)

‘Highly, highly recommend it. Great excitement created- the children already want to come back! This trip exceeded our expectations. Many thanks.’ (St Mary’s Catholic Primary)

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Britain's best Tudor experiences

Unearth six of the best Tudor experiences in Britain, from walking among the yew pyramids of Athlehampton in Dorset to sampling 500-year-old recipes at Merchant's House in Pembrokeshire

Abigail Whyte

1. Yew pyramids – Athelhampton, Dorset

tudor village school trip

The Great Hall of this 15th-century manor is pure Tudor sumptuousness , with its fine tapestries, heraldic stained glass and roaring fire in the hearth. But Athelhampton ’s crowning glory has to be the 20 acres of gardens, featuring a court of yew pyramids . Take an amble alongside the delightfully named River Piddle as it winds through the grounds.

2. Wolf Hall costumes – Barley Hall, Yorkshire

tudor village school trip

See the magnificent costumes from BBC Tudor drama Wolf Hall , which are on display in this medieval townhouse until March next year. The clothes form part of a permanent exhibition about York in the time of Henry VIII. Barley Hall itself lay hidden under an office block until the 1980s and has since been rebuilt to reflect its 14th- and 15th-century origins.

3. Hide in a priest hole – Speke Hall, Liverpool

tudor village school trip

The devout Catholic Norris family built this imposing mansion during an era of turbulence, so included a number of security features. Among them, a priest hole, where visiting clerics hid from the authorities. There is also an eavesdropper – a hole under the eaves for servants to listen to the conversations of visitors at the front door. Find out more here .

4. Anne Boleyn’s home – Hever Castle, Kent

tudor village school trip

Hever echoes childhood doodles of a dream castle – it has crenellated towers and not just one moat, but two. It was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, doomed second wife of Henry VIII and mother of Elizabeth I. To enter her bedroom and see her treasured prayer book is to feel a step closer to this enigmatic woman. learn more about Hever Castle .

5. Merchant’s House – Tenby, Pembrokeshire

tudor village school trip

Tenby was a busy port in the 15th century, and its streets bustled with trade. Tudor Merchant’s House reflects this commercial era, when a merchant did indeed live here. Visitors can sample 500-year-old recipes and try on clothes in the bedchamber.

6. Chapel in the Woods – Cotehele, Cornwall

tudor village school trip

The gardens of Cotehele House descend the deep valley down to the River Tamar, and feature a medieval stew pond, dovecote and an array of exotic plants. You’ll also find the Chapel in the Woods , built by Sir Richard Edgecumbe on the very spot he escaped death during his rebellion against Richard III.

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Home » Tudor House and Garden – KS1-4 History School Trips for Schools Hampshire

tudor village school trip

Tudor House and Garden – KS1-4 History School Trips for Schools Hampshire

More about this workshop/service and the provider.

Southampton’s most important historic building, Tudor House reveals over 800 years of history in one fascinating location at the heart of the Old Town.

The timber-framed building facing St Michael’s Square was built in the late 15th Century, with King John’s Palace, an adjacent Norman house accessible from Tudor House Garden, dating back a further 300 years. 

Tudor House gives a unique and atmospheric insight into the lives and times of both its residents through the years, and of Southampton itself. It appeals to visitors of all ages and interests, who find the user-friendly activities, interactive technology and fascinating displays a winning combination.

At Tudor House we aim to cater to all ages and abilities and are very happy to adapt our sessions to make them accessible and relevant to your school or group. We have the capacity to offer days of up to three classes of 33. Please click here  for a draft itinerary and costing for one class. We offer:

Discovery Sessions:  hour-long guided tours of Tudor House or the Old Town led by an expert guide  £47 per session.

Workshops:  one-hour interactive sessions incorporating object handling, and other activities. Maximum group size 33.  £75 per workshop.

Self-guided time:  An opportunity to spend some time exploring the house and garden. Most groups spend about an hour looking around the house. Price varies depending on other activities booked. Admission is  FREE  if both a tour and a workshop is booked.

Lunch Space:  Rooms are available for use for lunch. Costs are £15 (single class), £25 (two classes) or £30 (three classes).

Trail Sheets:  Why not add education trails to your visit? These are offered at a special school price of 25p per trail. 

f you would like to make a booking with us please email us at  [email protected]  or call us on 023 8083 2810. Alternatively you can complete an  online enquiry form .

Discovery Sessions

Join one of our expert guides for an in-depth look around Tudor House or Southampton’s Old Town. Each tour costs  £47  for a group of 33. Choose from the following fantastic tours:

  • Tudor Days:  Discover the secrets of this remarkable house with our expert tour guides.
  • A House in Time:  Learn about the history of Southampton while exploring Tudor House. From its medieval roots through to the darkest days of World War 2.
  • The Amazing Medieval Walking Tour:  Discover Southampton’s medieval past by walking our 700 year-old walls.
  • The Mayflower & Southampton:  Visit sites important to the Mayflower story and discover stories about the town in the 17th century.
  • The Blitz:  Find out about Southampton at War in this walking tour of the Old Town.

Our workshops have something to offer every class.  All of our sessions are different but always include aspects of dressing up, story-telling and interactive activities that will get your students involved! All sessions are offered at  £75 and last  about an hour.

See below available workshops:

  • Playtime in the Past
  • Great Fire of London
  • Off With Their Head: The Tudors!
  • Southampton Through Time

Testimonials

Availability & how to book.

We are ready to organise your special event for you and answer any queries you may have.

Please complete the enquiry form below and someone will get back to you.

IMAGES

  1. Class 7's Terrific Tudor Trip

    tudor village school trip

  2. Chiddingstone Village, the best surviving example of a Tudor village

    tudor village school trip

  3. Tudor Village

    tudor village school trip

  4. Top Tudor history trip locations

    tudor village school trip

  5. Facts about Medieval Tudor Villages

    tudor village school trip

  6. Tudor Village

    tudor village school trip

COMMENTS

  1. Tudor School Trips to study English History

    Tudor School Trips cater for a popular part of the history curriculum. The Tudor period began in 1485, following the final battle of the Wars of the Roses, which had been fought during the Plantagenet period between the house of York and the Lancastrians. Henry Tudor's victory over King William III led to a period of relative stability, where ...

  2. Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle: The Complete Guide

    Address. Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG, UK. Phone +44 1732 865224. Web Visit website. Hever Castle, 30 miles southeast of London, was the home of two of Henry VIII's queens—one tragic and one lucky—and the pet project and home of America's richest man in the late 19th century. Visit it today to explore its early medieval keep, its ...

  3. Top Tudor history trip locations

    1. Westminster Abbey, London. School groups can see the tombs of all but one Tudor monarch at Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey is the location of more than 1,000 years of British history, and was voted the Best Venue for History Learning at this year's School Travel Awards. All but one of the Tudor monarchs is buried in Westminster Abbey ...

  4. Tudor School Trips take school groups on an immersive historical

    Tudor School Trips take educational groups on a historical adventure back in time, where students will be provided with immersive learning experiences that captivate the imagination. The Tudor era is a subject of great fascination - from The War of the Roses to the life and works of William Shakespeare, the Tudor period is a topic that has ...

  5. Visiting Anne Boleyn's Hever Castle, The Complete Guide

    Alas, while the castle is the real deal, the interior isn't authentic. The furnishings, period gardens, and Tudor village were added, quite imaginatively, by William Waldorf Astor in the 20th century. ivy clad facade of the castle . ... If you're a horticulture love, it's worth a trip to Hever Castle just to see the heavenly gardens. The ...

  6. School Visits to Kentwell

    THE 2022 SCHOOLS PROGRAMME. Mon 26 & Tue 27 September 2022 Tudor Living History Days. A visit to a real Tudor Manor in Tudor England! Over 100 costumed characters from all levels of society make up a working community - the best enrichment for the study of history. A fully interactive experience with many hands-on activities, alI set in the ...

  7. 10 of the Best Tudor Historical Sites You Can See in Britain

    6. Pembroke Castle. Pembroke castle is a site of significance to Tudor enthusiasts for one key reason: it was here the Tudor dynasty began when Margaret Beaufort gave birth to their first monarch - Henry VII. The castle itself dates back to the 12 th century and epitomizes the image of a medieval castle. 7.

  8. Top 10 School Trips

    With the input of teachers across the country, we've selected our Top 10 school trips to support your history study across key stages 1-3, with added benefits for maths, science, geography and literacy, too. With free access to all our properties when booked in advance, free planning visits and specially designed learning resources, we have all the tools you need to help you create the ...

  9. School Trips to Stratford-upon-Avon

    Uncover England's Tudor history with a school trip to Stratford. Welcome to Ye Olde England and step back in time with over 800 years of history.You and your students can visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare and see how life was like for the Tudors from exploring the old buildings, guided history tours of the town, or why not take your drama students on a workshop with Royal Shakespeare ...

  10. Selly Manor

    Bringing history to life is one of our specialities at Selly Manor Museum. Every year we run hundreds of interactive experiences for school visits and welcome thousands of school children to learn about The Tudors, The Great Fire of London, Bournville and much more. We also conduct regular guided tours and talks for students, adult groups and ...

  11. History school trip ideas

    School trip to Tudor World. Tudor World is an award winning museum situated right in the heart of the historic town of Stratford upon Avon. Within a Grade 2* listed historic building, the museum depicts the different aspects of Tudor life: from plague to punishment.

  12. Facts about Medieval Tudor Villages

    Facts about Medieval Tudor Villages. The typical Medieval Tudor villages would consist of a number of small cottages with thatched roofs. They would be situated close to a church and an inn and a water pump. There may also have been a village school as well as a large barn, and for those found guilty of having committed a crime, there would be ...

  13. KS2

    It then became a Tudor mansion so you can learn all about Tudor homes and lives during your London school trip. [email protected]; 01743 367793; Features ; ... Get school trip offers by email. Unsubscribe at any time, we won't share your email with anyone else, just send you all the best offers and inspiration for your next class ...

  14. Tudor School Trip Ideas

    The Shakespeare Family Homes provides educational groups with a rather different Tudor School Trip experience. Here, classes will receive a "Shakespeare-centred" learning experience, where students will develop a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's life and works. And your class could even take to the water on The Matthew of Bristol.

  15. Tudor Life

    Name of workshop. - Select - Dinosaur Dig Stone Age Somerset Digging Deep in the Bronze Age Iron Age Somerset The Roman Way Castle Explorers Object Handling - First World War (60 Minutes) Object Handling - Archaeology (60 Minutes) Somerset Myths and Legends Saxon Somerset Tudor Life The Monmouth Rebellion.

  16. History days for Key Stages 1 to 3 at Tudor World

    The Tudor World museum is dedicated to teaching visitors about the Tudors, from the kings and queens mentioned above, to the gory fates and high treason of the time. School Travel Organiser looks at why a trip to Tudor World could be a memorable experience for pupils between Key Stages 1 and 3. Pictured: School pupils taking part in a Tudor ...

  17. Tudor School Visits (King Henry VIII 8th)

    Our Tudor sessions use dance, writing using quill pens and artefacts such as toys and games, badges and feasting objects for the Tudor table etc. to bring the excitement of real history to your classroom. Tudor History Specialists School Visits Visitors for Primary KS1 KS2 Schools Trip. Book a Living History Workshop. From £235.

  18. School Trips to Stratford upon Avon with The School Travel Company

    With easy access to historic Stratford-upon-Avon, the hostel has 134 beds in total split into 32 bedrooms, 16 of which are ensuite. Relaxing lounge areas and a games room is available for guests to enjoy.They also have a meeting room available to hire for up to 40 people. A School Trip to Stratford-upon-Avon is guaranteed to inspire your pupils ...

  19. Model Tudor Village

    The village in Fitzroy Gardens consists of a mix of private residences and public buildings that allows visitors to gain insight into life in Tudor England. Visitors can see a school, hotel, barn ...

  20. School Trips to study Medieval History

    Medieval School Trips. The Medieval period, also sometimes referred to as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 and lasted until the end of the fifteenth century. Browse a rang of Medieval School Trips and workshops below. In exchange for land, barons, earls and dukes swore oaths of loyalty to their kings.

  21. Tudor

    Tudor. The year is 1536 - Henry VIII is in the twenty-seventh year of his reign, and three years into his second marriage. But an unexpected twist of fate will see a sudden change in fortune for all associated with Queen Anne. You will find themselves in the midst of intrigue as they assist the servants of the Brereton household in their ...

  22. Britain's best Tudor experiences

    Britain's best Tudor experiences - Countryfile.com

  23. Tudor House and Garden

    Tudor Days: Discover the secrets of this remarkable house with our expert tour guides. ... Educational Workshops & School Trip Providers, which is a trading name for Edu-serve Ltd, is a listing website and advertising platform for individuals and organisations providing workshops and school trip destinations to the education sector.