Wrest Park

School Visits

Wrest Park boasts vast beautiful grounds, formal gardens and rooms within the Georgian mansion to explore, as well as a dedicated education room and outdoor space. Wrest Park's magnificent surrounding and rich history provides a great day out for schools, covering multiple topics and curriculum links.

Curriculum links

  • KS2: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066.
  • KS3: Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to present. Explore Wrest Park's important role as a wartime hospital.
  • KS1-2 Science: Identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants.
  • KS2 English: Develop positive attitudes towards and stamina for writing.
  • KS3 Geographical Skills and Fieldwork: With vast grounds to explore, students can use compass directions and locational language.
  • KS1-4 Art & Design: Produce creative work, exploring ideas and recording experiences.

Free self-led visits

Wrest Park lends itself to exploration. Your class can explore over 90 acres of landscape design showcasing French, Dutch, Italian and English styles side by side. Find out more about the garden and the people who shaped it, in our exhibition in the house.

Exploring the landscape at Wrest Park is a great way to get outside and support your studies in the fresh air.  Take inspiration for your literacy project, enjoy the woodland and read with your class, discover the ecology of the estate and the varied plants. Make use of our education room to complete work relating to your visit and as a lunch space.

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Expert-Led Discovery Visits

Discover more about Roman life and culture during our hands-on Discovery Visit. The session takes place in our Archaeological Collections Store and students will tour the aisles of the Wroxeter Roman City collection held there. At just £100 per session, it's a great way for pupils to understand the impact the Romans had on Britain and has been designed to meet the needs of the curriculcum.

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Wrest Park Quest

Members of Girlguiding Bedfordshire can complete the Wrest Park Quest to get their Wrest Park Quest badge!

To complete the Quest, please book a free self-led visit to Wrest Park and request the Girlguiding Bedfordshire Quest Badge. All resources for this activity are provided when you arrive on site.

For more information you can contact the our Education Bookings Team on 0370 333 0606 or bookeducation@english-heritage.org.uk.

Book your free visit

Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page.

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip!

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Available in the walled garden area. Disabled visitors may park in the disabled parking bays. There is a coach drop off point which is sign posted, on the main driveway. Coaches can park in the car park, located through the last right hand turn towards the end of the driveway. A map of this will be provided upon booking.
    • TOILETS: Male and female toilets are located at the visitor centre.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: Available to book with tables and seating plus access to a connected enclosed yard. The education room can also be used for bag storage if booked in advance. 
    • LUNCH: Outdoor picnic area available for groups to use. The cafe offers a range of light refreshments. Groups are welcome to use the Education Room if available. This can be booked prior to arrival.
    • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your students in small groups.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: The grounds are pathed and are relatively flat. There is disability access to the Archaeological Store Room used for the Discovery Visit.
    • WET WEATHER: Visits to the inside of the house will not be disrupted by wet weather. The garden will be slippery in wet weather so extra care should be taken.
  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

     

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Other Information

    In association with Girlguiding Bedfordshire, the 'Wrest Park Quest' badge is available for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides to earn upon completion of the associated outdoor quest in the grounds and environmentally friendly pot planting activity. Equipment is provided for self-led activities in our education room.

    Please book your quest as a Free Education Visit by contacting our bookings team on bookeducation@english-heritage.org.uk or call us on 0370 333 0606

  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-October: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Wednesdays
    • November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources