Brougham Castle

School Visits

Built on the site of a Roman fort, Brougham Castle was established in the early 13th century and much of the Great Keep largely survives alongside other later buildings. Set in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Eamont, Brougham Castle, with its complex passages and spiral staircases, is a perfect place to explore with your students.

"The children said: ‘The best school trip ever!'"

Teacher, KS2

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1 – KS3 History: Local History Study
  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places; study of castles
  • KS2 History: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: Development of church, state and society in Britain 1066-1509 and 1509-1750

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Brougham Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives.

Explore the castle that served both as a barrier against Scottish invaders and was later a private residence of Lady Anne Clifford.

Do not miss the unusual double gatehouse and the impressive ‘Tower of League’.

The site can also act as a fantastic stimulus for art, photography or a creative writing focus with its stunning setting beside the River Eamont crossing.

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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. Groups can be dropped off in the layby near the entrance to the site.
    • TOILETS: There is a unisex toilet with a separate 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: Available for school groups, with bag storage. Please book this room in advance.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Disabled visitors may be set down outside the entrance to the site. There is a flagstone path to the castle. There is level access through shop, around the grounds of the castle and the ground floor only of the Keep. The top of the keep is accessed by a steep, narrow, historic spiral staircase, 4 storeys high.
    • WET WEATHER: The site is mainly outdoors with no cover. If you have booked the education room you will be able to use it for wet weather shelter. In the case of inclement weather, the site team will do their best to accommodate if you are not able to use the Education Room.
  • 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-Sunday 10-5pm
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

     

Learning Resources

  • Teaching Medieval History

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

  • 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.

  • How to Take a Medieval Castle

    Watch our short animation to learn more about how to take a medieval castle.