Richmond Castle

School Visits

Take your learning out of the classroom and explore Richmond Castle’s rich and varied history, from the Norman origins of the medieval castle, to the First World War and conscientious objectors. Much of the castle still survives, including the keep, with its breath-taking views from the top, and the poignant graffiti left by more recent prisoners in the cell block.

Curriculum links

Bring history and the curriculum to life at Richmond Castle:

  • KS1 History: Similarities and differences between ways of life in different time periods, significant historical events and people in locality
  • KS1-2 History: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS3 History: The Norman Conquest; The development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
  • KS3-4 Geography: Why was a castle built here? 
  • KS4 History: Study of the Historic Environment

Free self-led visits

Plan a free self-led visit and organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Explore Richmond Castle, consider why the Normans built here, and imagine what life was like during the medieval period.  Download our Teachers' Kit for useful information and learning activity suggestions for before, during and after your trip.

You can also discover the stories of the conscientious objectors who were imprisoned at the castle during the First World War in the newly reinterpreted exhibition. Download the Richmond Castle Cell Block Learning Pack to explore the science behind the conservation and the history of the cell block.

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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: There is no parking available onsite, however there is ample parking in the village centre and several nearby coach parking locations.
    • TOILETS: There are multiple toilets on site and one accessible toilet in the Visitor Centre.
    • LUNCH: Education groups are welcome to picnic on site, however there is no dedicated education lunch space.
    • SHOP: There is a small shop on site at the admissions point.
    • STORAGE: Unfortunately, there are no designated storage facilities for education groups.
  • 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
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. 

    *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
    • November-February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • February Half Term-March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Richmond Castle Teachers' Kit (KS1-KS4+)

    Our Teachers’ Kits feature historical information and activity suggestions for group leaders of various subjects and key stages.

  • Richmond Castle Cell Block Learning Pack (KS1-KS4)

    Discover the story of Richmond Castle's Cell Block with the historical information and suggested activities in this Learning Pack. 

  • Can Science Save the Cell Block? (KS2) - Lesson 1

    Use science to explain why the graffiti on the walls of Richmond Castle's cell block is getting damaged and understand how conservation techniques can help.

  • Can Science Save the Cell Block? (KS2) - Lesson 2

    Undertake an experiment to explore what happens to salts in the walls of the cell block when moisture evaporates.

  • Can Science Save the Cell Block (KS2) - Lesson 3

    Explore the effects of condensation on the cell block and understand the impact of people on its fragile interiors.

  • Richmond Castle OCR Spec B: History Around Us (GCSE)

    We’ve created a site proposal form to help with your planning in conjunction with OCR.

  • Teaching Medieval History

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of medieval history.

  • Teaching the 20th Century

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of 20th century history.

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

    ​Discover how castles developed over time with this short introduction.

  • Inside the Cells of Conscientious Objectors at Richmond Castle

    Explore the cells inside Richmond Castle's cell block and find out what it was like to be imprisoned there in the 20th century. 

  • Conserving the Cell Block Graffiti

    Discover some of the stories behind Richmond Castle's cell block graffiti and the challenges in conserving these fragile drawings. 

  • Voices from the Walls: Conscientious Objectors at Richmond Castle

    Listen to extracts and quotes relating to the Richmond 16; a group of conscientious objectors held at Richmond Castle during the First World War.