Cleeve Abbey

School Visits

Cover a range of curriculum objectives with a visit to Cleeve Abbey. Give your class a real taste of medieval monastic like at this well-reserved Cistercian monastery, with buildings to explore and activities themed around the beautiful 13th century floor tiles. 

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Cleeve Abbey 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 the locality
  • KS1 Art and Design: Use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
  • KS2 History:  A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2 Art and Design: Create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
  • KS3 History: Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
  • KS3 Art and Design: History of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles andmajor movements from ancient times up to the present day.

Free self-led visits

Book a free self-led visit to Cleeve Abbey and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Explore the monastic buildings, including the cloister, refectory, dormitory and chapter house. Look out for the fireplaces and exposed wattle and daub in the cloister, and the secret ‘Green Man’ hidden in the refectory. Peer into the painted chamber to see the 15th century wall painting showing a scene from the Gesta Romanorum, and see if you can spot the medieval graffiti of a monk’s head by the door in the gallery. 

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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: There are approximately 50 spaces in the free car park, located 70 metres from the entrance of the site. Visitors will need to cross a road (lane) to reach the site entrance from the car park. There is no marked parking for coaches, so availability is dependent on the number of cars already parked. Typically, there is space for two coaches at a time.
    • TOILETS: Male, female and disabled toilets are located on the main site.
    • FOOD AND DRINK: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. There are seven benches and two picnic tables located around the Abbey, as well as grassed areas. 
    • SHOP:  The shop is located within the ticket office selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and themed souvenirs. Please bring your students in supervised small groups at a time.
    • EXHIBITION: On the ground floor (wheelchair access via ramp) there is an exhibition on the history of the Abbey and monastic life. On the first floor (unfortunately no wheelchair access) there is an exhibition about historic wall-paintings, including a video loop and display boards, and an exhibition about how the tiles at the Abbey were made.
    • EDUCATION ROOM:  The education room is available, please book it when booking your visit.
  • 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: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • November-March: No bookings can be taken at the current time

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.

  • A Mini Guide to Medieval Monks

    Find out more about different medieval monastic orders with our short animation.