School Visits
A climbable keep, a dungeon, arrow loops, murder holes and more make this quintessential castle a must to support your teaching of the curriculum. Explore on one of our free self-led visits or book an expert-led Discovery Visit for a hands-on learning session for your class.
Curriculum links
Support your teaching in a fun and engaging way, with a visit to Goodrich Castle.
- KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places; study of castles
- KS1-3 History: Local History Study
- KS2 History: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
- KS2-3 Geography: Understand the strategic significance of the castle’s position
- KS3 History: Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
- GCSE History: Study of the historic environment
Free Self-led Visits
At Goodrich Castle you will discover one of the most complete sets of medieval domestic buildings surviving in England, at one of the key points of entry into Wales. Explore the Norman keep and red sandstone curtain walls cut from the deep dry moat. See the gatehouse, towers, chapel, kitchen, well, dungeon, halls and garderobes - everything your students would expect to find in a castle. Study the Civil War, medieval monarchs, Countess Joan de Valance, famous for entertaining up to 200 guests in her fashionable home, and develop your students' enquiry skills, interpreting the ruins as both a stronghold and a home.
Enquire nowExpert-led Discovery Visits
Let our experts bring this medieval castle to life for your class with a fun and interactive Discovery Visit. On a guided tour of Goodrich Castle with one of our knowledgeable costumed volunteers, your students will imagine what life was like in the 13th century, with immersive learning activities.
Our Discovery Visits have been adapted to follow health and safety guidelines and will still offer your students a quality and fun learning experience.
FIND OUT MOREPlan 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!
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Facilities
- CASTLE: Outdoor areas of the castle will be open to explore; please split students into groups of 20 for self-led activities to help us maintain visitor flow around the site. The Keep will be open but access is limited to small groups, enquire at the site with specific access requests.
- PARKING: Parking available on site close to the visitor centre.
- TOILETS: Male, female and disabled toilets available on site.
- LUNCH: Picnic areas are available on site. Light refreshments can be purchased from the café.
- SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your class in small groups at a time. Alternatively, goody bags can be ordered directly from the site in advance - to be paid by card on the day by the teacher or group leader.
Site Map
Learning Resources
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Goodrich Castle Teachers' Kit (KS1-KS4+)
Our Teachers’ Kits feature historical information and activity suggestions for group leaders of various subjects and key stages.
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Goodrich Castle OCR Spec B: History Around Us (GCSE)
We’ve created a site proposal form to help with your planning in conjunction with OCR.
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Teaching Medieval History
Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of medieval history.
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A Mini Guide to Castles
Discover how castles developed over time with this short introduction.
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How to Take a Medieval Castle
Watch our short animation to learn more about how to take a medieval castle.
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Why did England have a Civil War?
One of the most hard-fought sieges of the Civil War took place at Goodrich between June and July in 1646. Use our introductory video to find out why the conflict happened.
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Postcard from Goodrich Castle
Take to the skies above Goodrich Castle to discover the site and its surroundings.
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Enquire now
0370 333 0606
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Visit our bookings page to start your enquiry. All bookings must be made at least 14 days in advance. Please make sure you check our terms and conditions ahead of your visit.
If you’d like more information about a site or one of our workshops, get in touch using the online form on our bookings page to speak to your local Education Visits Officer. We look forward to seeing you soon.
