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.
Historic Re-enactments
Historic Re-enactments
What is it?
Historic re-enactments are both educational and entertaining. Typically the re-enactments take the form of dressing up in a style from the past in order to focus on a particular theme or time period. These can take the form of participation events such as mock trials, industrial workplaces or Victorian schoolroom sessions through to observations of major rehearsed re-enactments such as battles. Battle re-enactments often take the form of combat demonstrations, which are generally performed by a company to members of the public and are loosely based around actual events with costumes, armour and weapons from the period in use.
What does it involve?
The level of involvement differs depending on whether you would like to get your pupils involved in the re-enactment or not. If you are to be involved in the re-enactment then you will be brief by a member of the re-enactment team on what is expected of the pupils prior to the event. Pupils will often dress in appropriate clothing for the time period they are re-enacting and will learn historical facts as the re-enactment takes place. If you are watching a re-enactment you will simply sit and observe the show whilst learning about the specific topic, often being narrated by members of the performing troupe.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Watching re-enactments will help students to learn about a given time period. Having a visual of a specific topic is far better than simply reading about it. Better still actually involving students in the re-enactment will help all pupils recall facts especially helping kinaesthetic learners. There is also a lot of fun to be had in the dressing up!
What equipment do we need?
As with most activities where you visit an establishment to try it, the venue should provide the majority of the equipment you'll need to participate. You should always check beforehand though, as some places may ask you come dressed appropriately for the specific activity.
Who is it suitable for?
Watching an historic re-enactment is a suitable activity for children of all ages. If the pupils are to be partaking in the re-enactment then activity is only suitable for children in key stage 2 and upwards.
Costs?
The cost of a re-enactment varies depending on the amount of pupils you wish to take and whether you will be watching or partaking in the activity. The length of the re-enactment session will also have an impact on cost. Some venue such as castles and museums hold regular re-enactments so it may be worth looking at tying in your trip with a visit to an educational venue. Please research various providers in your area to find the best value offering.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Simply watching an historic re-enactment poses little to no risk however some students may be sensitive to particular realistic recreations of battle scenes. If you are partaking in a re-enactment it is important to listen to any safety briefings given by the organisation. As with any school trip it is important you take any student specific medication with you if the re-enactment takes place off the premises.
How do we include?
Many venues now cater for pupils with physical disabilities. Please consult specific venues in your area to find out more about what they are set up for.
Doing it abroad?
There is a very big historical re-enactment scene in the united states however they often focus on events relevant to American history so may not be relevant to the Curriculum.
Main website:
For more information on Historic re-enactments please click here.
It is a good idea to research venues in your area before the trip.
Venues with this Activity
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.
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.
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.
With a striking triple-towered great gatehouse built atop a rock, Denbigh is a fine example of an thirteenth century castle with remarkable surviving town walls.
We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics. Replica artefact handling collection with KS2 History and English self-led resource.
These two five-storey 16th and 17th century merchants' houses which now also house English Heritage's regional office - are fine examples of Jacobean domestic architecture.
The Surtees house is best known as the scene of the elopement of Bessie with John Scott, later Lord Chancellor of England. An exhibition illustrating the history of the houses is on the first floor.
A must for kids studying local history, a visit will let you help out with their schoolwork and spend some quality time together. Special quizzes and hands-on trails take them through Bunyan's amazing life at their own pace.
Roman Alcester is the exciting exhibition interpreting and displaying objects from Alcester's Roman past.
Alcester is one of the most investigated Roman small towns in the country, with over 100 archaeological digs in the last 80 years.
During the 18th and 19th centuries Portsmouth Royal Dockyard was the greatest industrial complex in the world, employing over 25,000 workers. The Dockyard Apprentice tells the story of Dockyard life in 1911, when the great Dreadnought battleships were being constructed.
St Nicholas Priory was founded in 1087 and was home to Benedictine monks for over 400 years. In 1536, like other monasteries, it was closed and partly demolished by King Henry VIII.
Not all of the sites on Hadrian's Wall were heavily guarded fortresses. Corbridge was a supply base and bustling town where the Romans and civilians would pick up food and provisions.
The Checkpoint Charlie Museum is named after the famous crossing point on the Berlin Wall between east and west. It was created to document the so-called "best border security system in the world".
Wall was an important staging post on Watling Street, the Roman military road to North Wales. It provided overnight accommodation for travelling Roman officials and imperial messengers. The foundations of an inn and bathhouse can be seen, and many of the excavated finds are displayed in the on-site museum.
The Matthew of Bristol, a replica of the English ship that explorer John Cabot used to discover North America in 1497.
Learn about how The Matthew after the voyage's sponsor Bristolian Richard Amerike (not Amerigo Vespucci as is widely believed) in 1507.
Beaumanor Hall is a Victorian country house located in Woodhouse, Leicestershire. Set in 34 acres of idyllic countryside, Beaumanor has been run by Leicestershire County Council since the 1970s and offers a whole range of facilities.
Stokesay Castle is quite simply the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. Set in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, the castle, timber-framed gatehouse and parish church form an unforgettably picturesque group.
Treat your class to a 90 minute journey through 1000 years of London’s murky history, as our full cast of entertaining theatrical actors bring to life gripping stories of the capital’s most infamous characters and events.
A quirky little museum, with 3 floor that are jam packed with items from popular British Culture from Victorian times to present day. Fascinating for the kids, and possibly nostalgic for the adults!
The museum is run by a friendly husband and wife team, who have dedicated their lives to building and maintaining this incredible collection.
See a bus so old it was pulled along the street by horses. Get behind the driver's seat of our tube train simulator, experience journeys of a bygone era. Your only problem will be trying to fit it all in!
School Trips
Explore the greatest collection of artillery in the UK and discover their fascinating history, and learn about the roles of Gunners. Free entry for kids under 4 years old.
There is plenty to see and find out in a variety of different displays and exhibits, some of which are audiovisual. There are also clearly written information panels.
So much more than just tanks!
The tank was a British invention that changed warfare for ever when it was introduced in the First World War and Bovington has been the home of the tank ever since.
At The Tank Museum we bring the history of tanks and tank crew to life… Supported by the world’s best collection of tanks & action packed live displays.
Brings together an award winning archaeology museum and one of the region's premier art galleries, the Usher Gallery, in the heart of historic Lincoln. Play at The Collection is an exciting free activity centre for younger visitors which encourages learning through play!
Littledean Jail is not just a prison. It is by far Europe's largest true crime, politically incorrect, bizarre, diverse museum and visitor attraction.
Welcome to Littledean Jail, a former house of correction, police station and courthouse is the county’s most talked about, most unorthodox, not to be missed historical visitor attraction set in the Royal Forest of Dean.
A museum with over 50 micro cars from the 50s and 60s, plus scooters on display, a row of recreated shops to explore, and loads of memorabilia to look at.
Some of these displays are pretty entertaining, and others are through provoking.
A rare survival of a large 14th-century stone house with great hall and chambers. It served as a residence and courthouse for the wealthy and powerful rectors of Warton.
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