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: Free parking is available. The main car park is located next to the entrance to the site. Disabled parking is available in the main car park, which is close to the shop and admissions with ramp access to the hall and tearoom. Disabled visitors can also be set down outside the entrance to the site.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room is currently unavailable.
  • TOILETS: Toilets including accessible toilets are located in the main car park.
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables which are located on the grassed area off the main car park. There is also a tearoom located in the original kitchen of the hall, serving cream teas, cakes, hot and cold sandwiches, soup and baked potatoes
  • SHOP: There is a gift shop on-site selling a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. We recommend you bring your class in small groups at a time.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: Wheelchair access to to the ground floor of the hall and the tea room via a ramp from the car park. Access to the ground floor of the castle via a ramp at the rear of the castle. Wheelchairs as well as a mobility scooter are available to borrow for free. RADAR key access for level access route to the hall and gardens available at the shop for a refunded hire charge. Shop has level access but a narrow doorway.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Hazard Information.pdf (89.2 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

• 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-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm