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: Car park with coach parking opposite entrance.
  • TOILETS: Unisex toilet located in Leicester's Gatehouse. 
  • SHOP: The shop is open for small groups of 10 students accompanied by a leader. Alternatively, you can order goody bags, which can be booked in advance paid for on the day.
  • EDUCATION SPACE: The education space is currently unavailable.
  • LEICESTER’S GATEHOUSE: Entry to Leicester's Gatehouse cannot be guaranteed. Please inquire at the Visitor Centre on arrival if you wish to book a timed entry slot.
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. There are picnic benches and grassed areas to sit on. In the case of wet weather we will try to provide an indoor space, but this cannot be guaranteed. 
  • ACCESSIBILITY: There are accessible toilet facilities on site. Please also note that much of the site has uneven surfaces. Some areas of the castle are accessed via steps and stairs.

  Site Map

  

   

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments. 

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden Hazard Information.pdf (55.9 KB)

  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

• Discovery Visits

  A Discovery Visit Guide provides you with everything you need to know about our expert-led Discovery Visits at Kenilworth Castle. It includes a breakdown of the learning objectives and details on how to prepare for the sessions, plus ready-made Risk Assessments, to take the hassle out of planning.

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden Discovery Visit Guide (KS1-4).pdf (1.7 MB)

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessments take the hassle out of planning. 

  • GCSE Tour Risk Assessment.pdf (67.0 KB)
  • Life in a Castle Risk Assessment.pdf (68.1 KB)
  • Medieval Castle Quest Risk Assessment.pdf (66.5 KB)
  • Medieval Siege Experience Risk Assessment.pdf (66.7 KB)

• 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-June: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • July-August: Monday-Sunday 10-6pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • September-1 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 2 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 17 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday