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: There is no parking available at the site. There is a council-run car park in Craster with 60 spaces 1.3 miles from the site and limited car parking at Embleton Golf Club, which is not managed by English Heritage. There is no refund of car park charges on admission.
  • TOILETS: There are no public toilets on site. The nearest public toilets are in Craster, 1.3 miles away and Embleton, 1.5 miles away.
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds, with benches and tables available, or on the seashore immediately adjacent to the site.
  • SHOP: There is a gift shop located in the Site Administration Building near the entrance, with ramped access. The shop sells a wide range refreshments and confectionery, together with medieval toys and gifts. 
  • GARDENS: There are extensive areas of short grass available for games and re-enactment of famous battles within a historic setting. There are paths which give opportunities to see large varieties of birds, flowers and mammals including nesting seabirds and birds of prey.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: There are two disabled parking spaces at Craster, 1.3 miles from the Castle, which are not managed by English Heritage. Dunstanburgh Castle is approx 1 mile from the car park by foot across uneven ground. There is ramp access to the shop.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Dunstanburgh Castle Hazard Information.pdf (108.5 KB)

   

  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 self-led education visits during school term time^*. 

  ^*Education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

  • April-3 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • 4 November-23 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 24 February-2 March: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 3 March-30 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm