School Visits

Discovery Visits at Pendennis Castle

Sandford Award winner 2023!

Bring Pendennis Castle to life and let our experts lead your pupils on an award-winning, hands-on Discovery Visit.

“The DV was engaging, with plenty of variety in the teaching approaches used, including role-play, re-enactment, discussion, observation, sensory experiences and creative thinking. The needs of children with diverse learning styles were met through the use of teaching techniques based on many years’ experience of heritage education.” Sandford Award Assessors Report 2023.

Enemies on the Horizon

Geography, History, Literacy
KS2, KS3

This interactive guided tour explores the importance of Pendennis Castle in defending Cornwall from attack. Through exploring the site, your class will consider how defences and weaponry developed over time and what life was like for those working there.

  • Availability: After February half term and March: Wednesday to Friday, April to October: Monday to Friday during term time, November: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Session lasts 1 1/4 hours
  • £100 per session
Enquire now

Now and Then

History, Literacy
KS1

Costumes and handling artefacts are used to introduce children to the idea of change through time as they compare their own life with that of people living in Tudor times.

  • Availability: After February half term and March: Wednesday to Friday, April to October: Monday to Friday during term time, November: Tuesday and Thursday
  • Session lasts for 1 1/4 hours
  • £100 per session
Enquire now

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
    • PENDENNIS CASTLE: The castle buildings and grounds are open for you to enjoy while keeping to social distancing rules; including the Keep, the gun shed and battery observation post and the Half Moon Battery.
    • PARKING: Car and coach parking is a short 5 minute walk. Disabled visitors can drop off close to the castle entrance.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: The bookable education room is available.
    • TOILETS: Male and female toilets are located at the rear of the shop and on the first floor of the Royal Artillery Barrack Block.
    • LUNCH: There are picnic areas outdoors. Please book the education room for wet weather lunches. Group leaders are welcome to use the café, which will be open for drinks and light refreshments.
    • SHOP: The shop is open selling English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your class in small groups at a time.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Please also note that much of the site has uneven surfaces. Some areas of the castle are accessed via steps and stairs.
  • 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*. 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.

    *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-June: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • July-August: Monday-Sunday 10-6pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • September: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • November: No bookings can be taken at the current time
    • 30 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • 17 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday

Planning Your Visit

Planning your visit couldn’t be easier with the help of our resources. However if you need more details or have specific questions about your trip or our Free Self-Led or Expert Led visits, please get in touch with our Education Booking Team on 0370 333 0606