Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard

School Visits

Discover one of the first and largest purpose built barracks in England. Built in the early 18th Century, in response to the fighting in the north of England during the Jacobite rising in 1715, the barracks could house 600 men and 36 officers. The imposing barracks are built around an impressive parade ground and have been a significant landmark on the border of England and Scotland for over two centuries.

“A very enjoyable and valuable day!”

Teacher, KS2

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Berwick Barracks will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages.

  • KS1: Significant historical events, people, places in the locality
  • KS2: a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2 – KS3: A local history study
  • KS3: Development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Berwick Barracks and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives.
Once one of the largest barracks in England, you can follow the history of the site and explore the lives of soldiers stationed here and the infantrymen from the Civil War through to the First World War through the ‘By the Beat of the Drum’ exhibition housed in the barrack buildings.

 

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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 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 parking on site. Coaches can drop off students on Church Street by the barracks. Public car parks are available in the town, charges are payable.
    • TOILETS: There are male and female toilets as well as an accessible toilet.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.
    • 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 room or bag storage
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Visitors with limited mobility can be dropped off at the site entrance. There are disabled parking bays in the car park in the Church Street car park (three hours free parking). There are ramps offering ease of movement around the exterior of the building. The museum is on multiple levels, which unfortunately does restrict access for wheelchair users as there is no lift access to upper floors. Pathways and surfaces are tarmacked hard standing, with a small section covered in cobbles.
    • WET WEATHER: The site is mainly indoors with plenty of cover. In the case of inclement weather, the site team will do their best to accommodate your group.
  • 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.

    • 1st April-24th July: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 25th July-4th September: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 5th September-30th October: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 1st November-31st March: No bookings can be taken at the current time

     

Learning Resource