Berry Pomeroy Castle

School Visits

Cover a range of curriculum objectives with a visit to Berry Pomeroy Castle. An impressive Elizabethan mansion built by the Seymour family is nestled into the original 15th century castle defences. Although the family had grand plans for the site, it was abandoned by 1700. Today, Berry Pomeroy Castle provides a snapshot of medieval and Elizabethan history, surrounded by woodland areas to explore.

Curriculum Links

Visit Berry Pomeroy Castle to support your teaching in a fun and engaging way, and cover multiple topics across the curriculum.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
  • KS1-2 Science: Working scientifically. Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats
  • KS2 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: A local history study. Development of Church, state and society in Britain 1066-1745
  • GCSE History: Study of the historic environment

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Berry Pomeroy Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. See the original castle defences, and climb the steps to the first floor of the gatehouse to see the beautiful 15th-century wall painting and experience the medieval wall walk. Explore the ruins of the Elizabethan mansion, and imagine what it would have been like to live here as a member of the powerful Seymour family. Don’t miss the woodland areas, with an opportunity to spot wildlife and birds, and learn about different living things in their habitats. 

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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: The car and minibus park is located 50 metres from the front entrance. Please note that the site is not accessible to coaches. The nearest set down point for coach passengers is at the main gate at the start of the forest track approximately 1200 metres walk.
    • TOILETS: Toilets including accessible toilets are available.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds on the grassed areas, however there are no benches available to sit on. There is a café on site offering light snacks, lunches, drinks and hot meals. This is not managed by English Heritage and opening times do vary.
    • SHOP: The gift shop sells a selection of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs and it is fully accessible to disabled visitors. We recommend you bring your class in small groups at a time.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are two disabled bays located in the car park. Disabled visitors can be set down near to the entrance of the site, please speak to the member of staff on duty to make arrangements. The grounds, shops and ground floor of the site are accessible to disabled visitors. There are a number of slopes on the site.

     

     

  • 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-September: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • October: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Teaching Tudors and Stuarts

    This guide to teaching Tudors and Stuarts includes advice from our educational experts and historians as well as suggested activities to try with your students in the classroom or on a school trip. 

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

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

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