History

History

History tells stories about people, places and things to help explain to young people of any age why the world is as it is as they grow up and begin to question it.

Schools will choose different periods and settings and topics to cove during different Key Stages, but all of them are pretty well guaranteed to be rooted in actual places that can be visited, explored and enjoyed.

It has been a curious fact that for many years primary classes have studied the Roman, Anglo-Saxon and medieval periods, while secondary school syllabuses have been more engaged in post-medieval periods. For a while secondary courses involved a great deal of ‘topic work’. While this discipline still exists, the recent examination syllabuses have returned to an emphasis on historical periods and links.

But all periods and topics provide fantastic opportunities for school visits. We are so lucky that so many general and specialist museums and visitor centres exist in the UK. The problem is not a shortage of possibilities but how one sifts through the available opportunities to make choices.

The Historical Association (link is external) website carries information about course, conferences, study tours, and the Association has published ‘The Historian (link is external)’ magazine for many years. Handsam is also happy to help, please contact us on 0844 335 1737 or email info@schooltripsadvisor.org.uk (link sends e-mail).

Most venues will have teaching materials and activities geared to students’ different ages and aptitudes whether at primary or secondary level. All of them will set out to develop students’ ability to understand, analyse and evaluate key features and characteristics of historical periods and events studied.

Some venues will be easy to identify because they fit neatly with the period and topic being studied but others may offer new possibilities, not least to the teachers themselves. Teachers need and deserve their own stimulation.

Over the next four years there will be an upsurge in visits to the First World War battlefields. Because of this there will be an increase in companies offering visits and requirement for battlefield guides, especially in northern France and Belgium. There are bound to be discrepancies in guides’ knowledge and experience. Close research into the credentials of the company you are contracting with, and the company’s guarantees about guides, will ensure that your group will not be disappointed.

 

Main organisations:

The Historical Association (link is external)

Commonwealth War Graves Commission (link is external)

Inclusion: NASEN (link is external)

 

Thought of visiting?

Roman Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum at Hadrian’s Wall

Viriconium, Wroxeter, Shropshire

The London Museum

The Jorvik Viking Centre, York

Winchester Discovery Centre

National Museum, Cardiff

Offa’s Dyke Trail and Chirk Castle

The National Trust (link is external)

Bannockburn Heritage Centre

The National Trust for Scotland (link is external)

Youth Hostels Association (link is external)

Historic Scotland (link is external)

Clan Donald Visitor Centre, Isle of Skye

Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre

Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

Hull and East Riding Museum

Soane Museum, London

Exeter Cathedral Education Centre

Ironbridge Gorge Museums

Royal Armouries Museum

The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

The Scottish Maritime Museum

The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

East Anglia Railway Museum, Colchester

The National Tramway Museum, Matlock

The Museum of Rugby at Twickenham

Windermere Steamboat Museum, Cumbria

 

For a complete list of venues and providers who deliver specialist courses and activities for this subject see below:

Escot Park

There's a natural surprise waiting around every corner
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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For all lovers of nature and the great outdoors, Escot is a unique experience and offers a great day out (link is external).

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Fountains Abbey

Cistercian abbey, elegant Georgian water garden and medieval deer park
Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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For centuries people have been drawn to this inspiring place.

From humble beginnings the magnificent abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins that remain are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world.

When the socially ambitious John Aislabie inherited Studley Royal, he set about creating an elegant water garden of mirror-like ponds, statues and follies, incorporating the romantic ruins into his design.

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Kellie Castle & Garden

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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Kellie Castle in Fife dates from as early as the 14th century and has magnificent plaster ceilings, painted panelling and fine furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.

There are excellent facilities for school groups, including a fully equipped education room, adjacent to the walled garden.

A range of Living History tours are available, and art-based and nature-based activities are available to suit primary and secondary school age ranges. Both half and full-day programmes are available.

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Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum

Venue Type: 
Transport
Overall Rating: 
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The Grand Union Canal at Stoke Bruerne is an idyllic picture of passing boats and local wildlife. It’s a relaxing and lovely place for a day out.

There are loads of different things to do – boat trips and walks, bird watching and fun for kids at Rookery farm.

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Middleton Hall

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Middleton Hall is a "unique" Grade II-listed country house in Staffordshire. The hall shows evidence of several phases of English domestic architecture from the late thirteenth to the early nineteenth century. There is a fine Great Hall that is of Tudor origin, which makes a classic setting for weddings, for performances and for parties.

The Hall was the home of some notable people and was visited by many figures from history. Included among these is Queen Elizabeth I, who certainly spent two nights under its roof after the festivities at Kenilworth in 1575.

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Fowey Estuary

Spectacular walks, secluded beaches and exceptional views
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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A spectacular coastline, combined with a lively working Cornish port, lends this area its unique character and charm. 

There's a network of footpaths to discover, making the area great walking country, with the South West Coast Path offering sweeping views and a few hilly challenges.

Beaches and woodlands offer plenty of opportunities for families to explore, with a wealth of history, wildlife and watersport activities to try out.

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Dinefwr

12th-century Welsh castle, historic house and 18th-century landscape park, enclosing a medieval deer park
Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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A magical land of power and influence for more than 2,000 years, Dinefwr Park and Castle is an iconic place in the history of Wales. Two forts are evidence of a dominant Roman presence. The powerful Lord Rhys held court at Dinefwr and influenced decisions in Wales.

The visionaries, George and Cecil Rice designed the superb 18th-century landscape that you see today.

The 'hands-on' Newton House gives visitors an atmospheric circa 1912 experience. Exhibitions on the first floor tell Dinefwr's story and inspire visitors to explore the castle and park.

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Cliveden Gardens and Maze

Glorious gardens overlooking the River Thames.
Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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Set high above the Thames with far-reaching views, Cliveden’s impressive gardens and majestic woodlands capture the grandeur of a bygone age.

Follow in the footsteps of dukes, earls and royalty as you explore a series of gardens, each with their own special charm. From the formality of the Parterre with its vibrant floral displays to the quirky statuary and topiary in the Long Garden, the gardens will delight you in every season.

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Portsmouth Natural History Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
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The natural world is incredible!  And Portsmouth is a very special place for wildlife in Britain. It has many different habitats in a very small area, and at Portsmouth Natural History Museum you can explore them all.

The museum tells the story of the wild things of the riverbank, marshes, woods and urban areas of Portsmouth. Have a look for the heron stalking its prey and the Brent geese coming into land after their 3,000 km flight from the arctic.

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Hartlepool's Maritime Experience

The North's Premier Maritime Attraction
Venue Type: 
Maritime / Sea Life
Overall Rating: 
0

Hartlepool's Maritime Experience, (formerly known as Hartlepool Historic Quay) is a superb re-creation of an 18th century seaport and a fantastic place to visit for families, groups and schools - in fact everybody. It brings to life the time of Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Travel back in our mari-time machine to experience how it was aboard a real British naval frigate, two centuries ago. Explore the historic quayside, featuring 'Pressganged', 'Fighting Ships', realistic period shops and houses and much more.

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