What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

Fantastic, fully furnished and beautifully decorated castle created as an 'ideal medieval castle' by Victorian Lord Bute and William Burges, on the site of an earlier medieval castle, set on a wooded hillside.

Walk across the drawbridge into the courtyard, down into the original dungeon, up into the kitchen, great hall, drawing room, winch room, and three bedrooms. See the fabulous ceilings, imagine what it would have been like to sleep in the beds, eat in the hall, and relax in the drawuing room in front of a roaring fire.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

KS2 Age of the Princes history curriculum (Wales)
KS2 oracy

What are the activities?

KS2 Education programme offers the opportunity for pupils to learn about the life and training of a medieval knight by spending an hour with 'Sir Andrew', who is dressed in chain maille. Sir Andrew also brings his swords, and teaches pupils some defensive swordplay moves. Pupils also spend time with 'The Spellbinder' in the beatifully decorated drawing room, listening to original songs and stories based on Aesops Fables, illustrations of which are on the walls.

What is the age range of the activities?

Age 5-11

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

Minimum group size 20 (for Age of Princes programme, no minimum size for self led visits) Maximum group size 60, teachers and accompanying adults free of charge

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

Risk assessment available for activities. Unable to provide risk assessments for self led visits as risks vary according to individual group size, character, and activities undertaken.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

Teacher can make pre-visits to plan activities and write risk assessments, free of charge. Pre-visits must be booked in advance.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

There is a gift shop on site. There are picnic benches in front of the castle, and benches in sheltered alcoves in the courtyard, which schools are welcome to use for eating packed lunches. There are toilets on site.

Is specific clothing required?

Flat and sturdy shoes would be beneficial, as there are many stairs on site including some spiral staircases and uneven stairs down to the dungeon. Waterproof outer wear would be useful as parts of the site are outdoors.

Do you have first aid on site?

Custodial staff are first aid trained but all school groups need to bring a first aider with them as incidents may happen in areas of the castle some distance from the entrance area where staff are located.

Are there any restrictions on photos, copyright etc?

Photographs for educational use or persoanl use are permitted, but images taken for commercial use require permission.

Additional information.

Self led visits are free of charge, and available Monday to Friday during term time.

Knights Tales Discovery visits are charged at £2.50 per pupil, and are available on Tuesday mornings, during term time.

The castle is closed for conservation work 04.01.10 - 07.02.10 inclusive