Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

School Visits

This stunning mansion, set in beautifully restored gardens gives you a chance to step into the past. Originally founded by a family who may have made their fortune in the slave trade and then gradually falling into disrepair as agricultural and mining income fell and economic depression and death duties after the Second World War minimised the family’s ability to invest in it; this house brilliantly reflects changing times in Britain’s history.

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
  • KS1-3 History: A local history study. Changes in an aspect of British society Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS1-2 Science: Brodsworth House has an extensive gardens to explore, thus meaning it will enhance flora and fauna studies based around identifying and describing the functions of parts of the flowering plant
  • KS3 History: Ideas, political power, industry and Empire in Britain 1745 – 1901. Local history study: how far sites locally reflect national trends. Britain’s transatlantic slave trade
  • KS4 History: Study of a site in relation to historical context. Depth study of a period in British history
  • KS5 History: Cambridge AS Paper 1: Industrial /revolution in Britain. Cambridge A Level Paper 3 Britain 1919-39. AQA AS and A Level: Industrialisation and the people of Britain, The British Empire, Wars and Welfare – Britain in transition. OCR AS and A Level: Industrialisation and the people, Challenge and transformation in Britain, Wars and Welfare – Transformation in Britain
  • KS1-3 Geographical Skills and Fieldwork: With vast grounds to explore, students can use compass directions and locational language
  • KS1-4 Art & Design: Produce creative work, exploring ideas and recording experiences

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives.

Wander between rooms furnished in the 1860s to the 1950s, and see how the house, and life in Britain, changed in that time. Encourage children to use their detective skills when exploring the house: are the marble pillars really marble? There is also lots to explore in the grounds of Brodsworth Hall, like the garden loo and the game storage house. Take the statue walk around the garden and see if your students can spot the fern dell grotto.

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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: A coach can be parked on site. There is a walk to the Hall but golf carts can be used for disabled visitors. Please ask in advance.
    • TOILETS: There are toilets on site, including accessible.
    • LUNCH: No undercover space available. Picnics can be eaten on site.
    • SHOP: There is a shop on site. Please visit in small groups.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is no education room or bag storage on site.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Entrance to the hall is difficult due to narrow walkways and steps. Most paths are wide enough for wheelchairs in the gardens but do have gravel surfaces. There are steps to some areas.
    • WET WEATHER: Please be aware that there is no undercover areas for use by education groups, and entrance into the hall itself is by small groups of 8 or under at a time.
    • Please note that at times, access to the house may be unavailable due to staffing limitations and large groups may not all be able to access the house during busy periods.
  • 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.

     

    House Opening Times (dependent upon availability of volunteers)

    • April-October: Monday-Sunday 11-3pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 11-3pm. Servants wing only

     

    Garden Opening Times

    • April-October: Monday-Sunday 11-5pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 11-3pm

Learning Resources

  • Teaching the Victorians

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of the Victorians.

  • Homes Through History: Brodsworth Hall

    Meet Mr Chuck, the butler at Brodsworth Hall, to find out more about his duties and what life was like in a Victorian country house. 

  • Brodsworth Hall and Gardens Postcard

    Take to the skies above Brodsworth Hall and Gardens to discover more about the site and the landscape around it.

  • English Heritage Podcast - Exploring the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade

    Step into England’s story with our new weekly podcast. Join presenter Charles Rowe as we bring the history of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens to life with news, views and expert interviews.