Lyddington Bede House

School Visits

Enhance your history studies with a free educational visit to this beautiful house near Leicester. It was once the wing of a palace owned by the Bishops of Lincoln and then became an alms-house used from the 1600’s to the 1930s. The church is next door and the picturesque village it is situated in will make it a valuable and inspiring day out for your pupils.

"You certainly know how to bring an educational visit to life.”

Teacher, KS2

Image © Historic England Archive

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1 History: Significant people, places and events in your locality.
  • KS2 History: A period of study beyond 1066. A local history study.
  • KS3 History: Development of church, state and society in Medieval Britain. Society, economy and culture. Study of an aspect of social history. Study of a local site.
  • KS4 History: Connects to studies of Medieval and Elizabethan England.
  • KS5 History: AQA-The Tudors Edexcel-Poverty, public health and the state in tudor Britain. OCR-All periods for Unit Group 1.

 

© Historic England Archive

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Lyddington Bede House and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives.

Originally the medieval wing of a palace belonging to the Bishops of Lincoln, Lyddington Bede House has been an important feature in the ironstone village since the medieval period.

Wander through the rooms occupied by the poor of the parish throughout the house's later use, and learn about Sir Thomas Cecil, son of Queen Elizabeth’s chief minister, who was responsible for this conversion.

The roof construction and panelling in the upper rooms are really interesting features to explore and the garden to the rear gives you the chance to see plants from the period in which the house was built.

 

 

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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 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: None on site but parking available in the village.
    • TOILETS: None on site.
    • LUNCH: None undercover but picnics in the grounds are welcome.
    • SHOP:   There is a shop on site. Please visit in small groups.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: None on site. 
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Some raised door steps and steps to upper levels, thus making wheelchair access difficult to upper levels. Ground floor and gardens are accessible. There is a small step into the shop and exhibition space.
  • 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 Resource

  • Teaching Medieval History

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