School Visits

Discovery Visits at Bolsover Castle

New for 2024! 

Enhance your visit to Bolsover with an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop and really bring history to life with your class. Lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and tailored to upper key stage two and three, it's a great way to inspire your students and understand the fascinating history of this important site.

Society, science and Civil War (KS2-3)

History, Science
KS2, KS3

Put your pupils’ source analysis skills to the test as they investigate the lives of William and Margaret Cavendish, the aristocratic owners of Bolsover Castle. Let your class use all their senses to discover this 17th Century power couple’s favourite past times; get hands-on with scientific experiments, like those performed at The Royal Society, and examine how lives and homes were impacted by the Civil War.

  • Availability: April-October Monday to Friday, November-March Wednesday to Friday during term time

  • Session lasts for 1hr 30mins
  • £100 per session
Enquire now

Plan Your Visit

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: Parking is located 50 metres from the entrance.
    • SHOP: The shop sells a wide selection of English Heritage gifts, including jams and chutneys; toys and books; stationery and cards; heritage related collectables and much more.
    • TOILETS: Located in the visitor centre.
    • LUNCH: Grassed picnic area with picnic benches.
    • EDUCATION SPACE: The education room is currectly unavailable. 

    Site Map

    Bolsover Site Map

  • 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-October: Monday-Friday 10-4pm
    • November-February: Wednesday-Friday 10-4pm
    • March: Monday-Friday 10-4pm

Planning Your Visit

Planning your visit couldn’t be easier with the help of our resources. However if you need more details or have specific questions about your trip or our Free Self-Led or Expert Led visits, please get in touch with our Education Booking Team on 0370 333 0606