Immerse yourself in 1930s Art Deco decadence at Eltham Palace, one of the most enchanting visitor attractions in London. Built by the wealthy Courtauld family next to the remains of Eltham Palace, childhood home of Henry VIII, it’s among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in England.
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 website carries information about course, conferences, study tours, and the Association has published ‘The Historian’ magazine for many years. Handsam is also happy to help, please contact us on 03332 070737 or email info@schooltripsadvisor.org.uk.
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:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Inclusion: NASEN
Thought of visiting?
Roman Vindolanda and Roman Army Museum at Hadrian’s Wall
Viriconium, Wroxeter, Shropshire
The Jorvik Viking Centre, York
Offa’s Dyke Trail and Chirk Castle
The National Trust for Scotland
Clan Donald Visitor Centre, Isle of Skye
Bosworth Battlefield Visitor Centre
Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin
Exeter Cathedral Education Centre
The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
The Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth
East Anglia Railway Museum, Colchester
The National Tramway Museum, Matlock
Venues for this Curriculum
Based in the inner London district of Southwark are the remains of Winchester Palace - once one of the largest and most important buildings in all of medieval London. Built in the early 13th century as a home to the powerful Bishops of Winchester, now all that remains of the once prominent and lavish residence are a few walls of the Great Hall.
The Story of Jersey
The story of Jersey from Neolithic times to the modern day. Discover the island's finest treasures on display including a priceless Bronze Age gold torque and Millais' famous portrait of Lillie Langtry.
Pier Road Merchant House
Come and find out why the once wealthy inhabitants of No 9 Pier Road were forced to sell up in the 1860s.
Visit the Treasures of the Island exhibition
La Hougue Bie delivers a truly memorable experience that is at once thought provoking and peaceful.
Absorb yourself in interactive exhibits to feel the force of a gale, understand the tides and learn how to design and float a ship. Immerse yourself in songs and stories of the sea.
Something new to discover at every turn
History comes to life at Mont Orgueil Castle, which for 600 years protected Jersey against French invasion. Explore the network of staircases, towers and secret rooms to discover hidden treasures. Please note, the main gate access to the castle may be closed due to building work. There is alternative access from the footpath along Gorey Pier.
Where history comes alive
Built on a rocky islet in St Aubin's Bay, Elizabeth Castle defended Jersey for more than 400 years. The castle is accessible at low tide by foot or the castle ferry.
Discover six centuries of Jersey’s rural life at Hamptonne Country Life Museum. Dating back to the 15th century the house and farm are brought to life with characters from the Island’s past.
Jersey Archive was established as part of Jersey Heritage in 1993. The Archive is the Island’s national repository holding archival material from public institutions as well as private businesses and individuals.
Free admission.
German Occupation Museum is an excellent place to learn about what it was like on Guernsey during the five years of German occupation during the second World War. Not only can you see military artefacts such as an anti tank gun and a 4 wheel enigma machine, but you can also get a sense of what it was like for the people during that time.
The Little Chapel is incredibly small. In fact it is only about 4 metres or just under 13ft tall! Amazingly it does actually have two floors, despite the size.
It was built by Brother Déodat, who started work in March 1914. His plan was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France.
The Guernsey Tapestry is a modern tapestry with each panel showing a 100 years of the history is the island. It took over 2 years (at 25 hours per week) to sew!
You and your children can learn about each panel using the audio guide (included in the price). This is available in French and German as well as English, so you have a choice for any budding linguists!
Ancient rolling downland, home to an enigmatic chalk hill figure
The internationally-renowned Bronze-Age Uffington White Horse can be seen for miles away leaping across the head of a dramatic dry valley in the Ridgeway escarpment.
The horse is only part of the unique complex of ancient remains that are found at White Horse Hill and beyond, spreading out across the high chalk downland.
A fine Tudor building, the home for stories of romance, wealth and 500 years of Hesketh family history
Be wowed by the Tudor Great Hall with its fantastic furniture, arms, armour, tapestries and the carved oak screen, a rare survivor from the 1500s. History springs to life in the Hesketh's dining room, its food-laden table, lit candles and 'fire in the hearth' waiting to welcome the family's dinner guests.
Mid 19th-century Chartist cottage
This red-brick cottage remains largely unchanged since it was first occupied by early Chartists. The Victoria era was a time of remarkable British political change, which is brought back to life at Rosedene.
The museum's 2,000 objects include an exciting collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a funeral boat and a mummified cat's head! They also have exciting family events running during school holidays.
Discover more about Greek mythology and life through images on our many vases. Find out how Odysseus escaped the Cyclops cave or study scenes of warriors going into battle.
Established in 1753, the British Museum in London is dedicated to human history and culture.
It is now the most popular tourist attraction in the UK, with over 6 million visitors each year.
Reading Museum Service offers learning experiences that are fun and suitable for every age of student - from the serious student to the youngest child, all levels are catered for. We offer opportunities for both formal and informal learning including the chance to handle real objects.
Built originally by Llywelyn the Great, taken and remodelled by Edward I then sacked by Owain Glyndwr, the castle sits in an impressive location, overlooking Cardigan Bay with views to nearby Harlech Castle. We also provide Medieaval Treasure Chest handling and self-led activity packs on Castles, English and Science, Technology and Mathematics.
At the top of the park stand the imposing remains of Lowther Castle and its hidden Gardens.
Explore the rich life of Wolverhampton and its people through archives filled with fascinating documents, photographs, maps, recordings, ephemera and more.
Wolverhampton City Archives houses a wealth of materials relating to the history of all areas now within the city of Wolverhampton including Bilston, Bushbury, Penn, Tettenhall and Wednesfield.
At the heart of our cultural learning offer is access to excellence for everyone across all of the WAVE venues.
Upton upon Severn is a lively little town that owes its existence to the River Severn. There are numerous pubs and hotels, many along the river, which provide a variety of fine ales and good food. In the 19th Century these used to serve the men who worked on the boats carrying goods to and from the port of Bristol.
Fun and boats galore at the heart of Gloucester's historic docks
Delve into the fascinating world of Gloucester's Victorian docks at this museum and meet the people and wildlife of our wonderful waterways. Discover impressive facts about the ingenious engineering of the waterway system and explore home life aboard a narrow boat.
St. John’s Cathedral is almost certainly built on the site of a medieval hospital and parish church, founded in the 13th century in honour of the Trinity.
Some of this 13th century work is likely to be incorporated in the present west tower.
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