Chysauster Ancient Village

School Visits

Chysauster Ancient Village is Romano-British settlement that was originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago and is one of the finest examples of such in the country.

Today visitors can walk around the village settlement to gain a sense of what the houses would have looked like and how the settlement was laid out. There are also the remains of an enigmatic 'fogou' underground passage - the purpose for this could have been as a ritual building, a hiding place or a cold store - what do you think it was used for?

 

Image © Historic England Archive

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places within the locality
  • KS1 Geography: Geographical skills and fieldwork
  • KS2 History: A local history study. Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age
  • KS2 Geography: Geographical skills and fieldwork: use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present human and physical features in the local area. Human geography: types of settlement and land use
  • KS3 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that consolidates and extends pupils’ chronological knowledge from before 1066
  • KS3 Geography: Human geography: understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes and environments
© Historic England Archive

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Chysauster Ancient Village and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Explore the courtyard house remains and survey the ancient landscape from the viewing platform.

There is a range of education resources including metal working examples, replica pottery, textile processing items and grinding querns that can be facilitated by a volunteer. Please check for availability when booking.

Cornwall Heritage Trust (CHT) may give financial support for transport to enable primary schools to make visits to heritage sites or undertake visits which have a purpose of developing awareness and appreciation of Cornish heritage. You can apply for a transport grant here: https://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/apply/transport-grants/

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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:  Car park for cars and mini-buses only. Drop off possible for coaches in the car park. The car park is quite small and coaches may have to find alternative parking.
    • TOILETS: Male and female toilets in the car park. No toilets on the actual site.
    • LUNCH:  Picnics are welcome on site. The small education space may be used for lunch in inclement weather. There are some picnic benches directly outside.
    • SHOP:   There is a small shop selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Guidebook available in the shop –Education groups receive a 20% discount on guidebooks. We ask the class visit the shop groups of 6 and supervised by a leader.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE:  Education space can be used for bag storage.
    • ACCESSIBILITY:  There are two designated disabled parking spaces in the car park. The car park is approximately half a mile from the site entrance which is along a very steep gravel footpath with two wooden staircases. The site is rough mown grass and very hilly.
    • WET WEATHER:  Education space can be used for wet weather shelter, but it is small. Groups should come dressed in suitable clothing and footwear.
  • 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: No bookings can be taken at the current time

Learning Resources

  • Teaching Prehistory

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

  • Teaching the Romans

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

  • How did the Romans Change Britain?

    Watch our short animation to find out more about how Roman rule impacted Britain.