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: The road approach is not suitable for coaches - drop off can be on the main road approx. 1 mile from site. Parking for cars is available.
  • TOILETS: There are unisex toilets available.
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds. Picnic tables are available in the orchard.
  • SHOP: There is a gift shop selling English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. We recommend bringing your students in small groups at a time
  • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is no education space or area for bag storage.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: Visitors with limited mobility can be set down at the entrance. There are disabled parking spaces available. Wheelchair access is limited to the ground floor. Pathways are grass, gravel and stone.
  • WET WEATHER: There are no wet weather facilities. In the case of inclement weather, the site team will do their best to accommodate you.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Aydon Castle Hazard Information.pdf (54.9 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-October: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • November-March: No bookings can be taken at the current time