Education and outreach are important parts of the Cathedral's mission. Henry VIII's Charter which established the Cathedral required the Cathedral to be a place of learning, and led to the creation of the King's School. Today we continue with this objective.
Guided Tour
Guided Tour
What is it?
A guided tour is the practice of an individual leading a group of people around a point of interest and giving them information about it, which can cover topics such as religious significance, cultural history and how it relates to other locations and events in history.
What does it involve?
Attending a guided tour basically just involves paying attention! All the work is done for you in finding out the facts and presenting them in an interesting manner; the role of the participant just calls for a level of interest in your surroundings and an eagerness to learn!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Tour guides can be extremely educational - physically interacting with the place while learning about its history will provide a different kind of academic experience to the classroom by giving the students something more tangible to focus on.
What equipment do we need?
You shouldn't need any equipment for a guided tour, but check beforehand to make sure; some tours involve their participants even further by getting them to write down their own thoughts, or make drawings - so you may need to ensure students have something to write on!
Who is it suitable for?
Guided Tours are suitable for pretty much anybody if you pick the right one - smaller children will find it harder to focus on more complex subjects and will need more visual aids, but if they are engaged correctly they will have a great time! Likewise, teenage students will get bored if the subject isn't engaging enough, so make sure to choose the tour appropriate for the age and interests of the group.
Costs?
Around £20 or less per person, but it can vary greatly depending on the location of the tour - for example, a minibus tour around a park will cost more than a short walk around a country manor! Make sure to shop around to get an idea of the prices in your area.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
A guided tour should be suitable for all ages, but students with condtions such has ADHD may have trouble focusing for an extended period of time - make sure to be aware of the specific needs of your group.
How do we include?
Many guided tours have disabled access for those with limited physical movement, but it would be wise to doublecheck beforehand. Those who are deaf and blind can also be included in guided tours but may need more specialist staff - again, you will need to check with the specific establishments.
Doing it abroad?
There are points of public interest all around the world, so wherever you can find something well known chances are there will be a guided tour available! Foreign tours may be conducted in another language though, so make sure to confirm the specifications of the tour before booking it.
Main website:
This website gives a good overview of places where you can go for a tour guide, but you're best looking at the specific areas around you to find out details!
Venues with this Activity
Bristol Cathedral is full of rich learning opportunities for children of all ages. Our aim is to engage children with the past as we explore the history of this amazing building; with the present as we show them how the Cathedral impacts lives today; and with the future as we consider together how we can grow and develop as individuals and as a community.
The Burston Strike School is famed as the site of the longest strike in British history and is the site of an annual commemorative rally.
The small school was set up by sacked teachers Annie and Tom Higdon and is where they taught the village children who, for 25 years, went on strike to support them. The museum comprises the original strike school and related displays.
Fascinating displays and a few hands on experiments inspired by local mathematical physicist George Green, housed in his families' working windmill. Really interesting stuff plus lots of community and family events like seasonal crafts and cooking classes.
Welcoming over 400,000 visitors through its doors every year, the V&A Museum of Childhood in London's Bethnal Green houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood-related objects and artefacts, spanning the 1600s to the present day.
Limavady Museum's collections reflect both the local and social history of Limavady as well as the rural and industrial heritage of the Roe Valley.
Situated in the Tees valley close to Middlesbrough, Nature’s World is “the North of England’s pioneering eco-experience”. Opening in 1992, we are a thriving visitor attraction, training centre and educational facility with over 29,000 visitors every year.
A Palladian Palace in the Norfolk countryside
Surrounded by 3,000 acres of rolling parkland, Holkham Hall is one the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England.
A great little local museum with plenty to discover such as a panoramic view of Victorian Louth, the story of the Ghost of the Green Lady, rock and fossils, plus 200,000 years of local archaeology!
Louth Museum will take you on an amazing journey of discovery, with several galleries, plus a courtyard to explore.
Unspoilt and fascinating medieval manor house, still a relaxed family home. Located in a green haven of riverside meadows and woodland.
The original Iron Age Hillfort defences were built at Bratton Camp over 2000 years ago. These earthworks protected a settlement containing round houses, granaries, stores and workshops. The design and construction showed the effectiveness of the hillfort to its enemies.
Explore a unique Hilltop Park via a thrilling Cable Car ride. Once at the Summit enjoy going underground on tours of two Show Caverns. In the Exhibitions get to touch a dinosaur fossil and see video shows, then burn off energy on the 2 play areas!
The Guards Museum is an excellent place to take your little (and large!) military buffs, plus anyone who would like to find out about the role of Foot Guards through history.
One of Edward I's 'Iron Ring' network of castles in north Wales with the remains of a defended river gate still exist in the outer ring of the walls, where the King canalised the river Clwyd for over a mile to ensure it was navigable for ships.
Nearby Twthill is an example of an earlier Norman motte. We delvier English and Science, Technology, Mathematics self-led activity packs.
One of a number of forts built in the 1850s and 1860s to protect Portsmouth and its vital harbour against a French invasion. Largely unaltered, the parade ground, gun ramps and moated keep can all be viewed.
Pendennis Castle is one of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion. The castle has seen action in many conflicts and was one of the last royalist strongholds to fall during the English Civil War. Visitors can transport themselves back to Tudor times and right through the First and Second World Wars in a packed day out.
Extensive remains of medieaval castle.
We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Technically the most 'perfect' castle in Britain, but unfinished. Part of the World Heritage Site of Castles and Town Walls of Edward I.
We also provide Mediaeval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
The Sheffield Cathedral Heritage Learning Department offers school educational visits on curriculum areas such as R.E., History, English and Art for all key stages.
Castle and Town Walls designated as part of the World Heritage Site of Castles and Town Walls of Edward I. Amongst the finest surviving medieval fortifications in Britain.
We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
A charming museum where you can discover the many different aspects of the apple and what can be done with it, including the cider making process. Historical artefacts, vintage film clips, plus other memorabilia to see.
Victorian re-creation of a medieval castle, beautifully decorated rooms. We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Built between1283 and 1295 by an army of nearly a thousand skilled craftsmen and labourers, Harlech is part of the World Heritage Site of Castles and Town Walls of Edward I. We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
One of the largest, most impressive and most accessible Neolithic chambered tombs in Britain. Built in around 3650 BC, it was used for a short time as a burial chamber, nearly 50 people being buried here before the chambers were blocked. Part of the Avebury World Heritage Site.
Torrington 1646 is an all weather educational facility for schools that makes history fun! Travel back to the 17th Century with our costumed characters and experience life in Torrington during the English Civil War. See how people lived, loved, laughed and lied their way through the English Civil War.
Pages
Featured Provider
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
Login/Sign Up
Latest News
Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.