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 car or coach parking on site, please use the local car parks- charges apply. Coach drop off is on Gladstone Street, on the north perimeter of the Hall (10 minute stay with no return within an hour).
  • TOILETS: Toilets are open as usual and an accessibility lift is in place. Please bring your pupils in small groups at a time.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: Available for Discovery Visit groups.
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. There are some picnic benches and grassed areas to sit on. In the case of wet weather we will try to provide an indoor space, but this cannot be guaranteed.
  • SHOP: There is a small shop selling English Heritage gifts and souvenirs open for group leaders. You are able to order goody bags, which can be booked in advance paid for on the day.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: The toilet facilities are situated on the lower ground floor, these are accessed by a platform stair-lift; staff will be available to operate this for you. Much of the site has uneven surfaces. There are upper floors only accessed via steps and stairs.
  • SEND PROVISION: Gainsborough Library, located across the road from Gainsborough Old Hall, is currently offering quiet spaces for SEND students should this be required during your trip. For more information, please contact Gainsborough.Library@GLL.ORG

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Gainsborough Old Hall Hazard Information.pdf (114.1 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

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessments take the hassle out of planning.

  • Prepare for a Feast - The King is Coming! Risk Assessment.pdf (128.2 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer self-led education visits during school term time^*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

  ^*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 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday, Wednesday and Friday
  • November-March: Monday and Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday, Wednesday and Friday