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 for Covid-19 risk assessments and measures we’ve got in place please visit 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 coach access to the site; students should be dropped off at a safe point on South Street or in one of the nearby car parks. Car and minibus parking can be found in town, payable locally.
  • TOILETS: One unisex toilet on site.
  • LUNCH: There is no indoor lunch space available. Picnics are welcome in the grounds.
  • SHOP: There is a small shop selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Guidebook available in the shop –Education groups receive a 20% discount on guidebooks. We ask the class visit the shop groups of 6 and supervised by a leader.
  • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is not currently an education room or bag storage.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: There are disabled parking spaces and disabled visitors may be set down outside the visitor centre. Toilets are accessible. The site is mainly rough mown grass with some paved paths. Parts of the site, i.e. the tunnel and towers, are only accessible via stone steps.
  • WET WEATHER: There is no indoor space or wet weather shelter on site. Groups should come dressed in suitable clothing and footwear.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Ashby de la Zouch Castle Hazard Information.pdf (62.9 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

• 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-1 November: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • 2 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 17 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 24 February-31 March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm