Prudhoe Castle

School Visits

Built after the Norman conquest as part of a series of castle along the River Tyne, Prudhoe Castle has survived two sieges and is the only Northumberland castle to resist the Scots. Continuously occupied for 900 years, the majority of the surviving buildings date from the 12th century.

"My class were enthralled and have been talking non-stop about their visit. I am glad we made the effort of sitting for 2 hours in the coach – it really was worth it!”

Teacher, KS2

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1-3 History: Local History Study
  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
  • KS2 History: Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: The development of church, state and society in Britain 1066-1509 and 1509-1745

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Prudhoe Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Enter through the imposing gatehouse and explore the buildings of the inner bailey. Find out more about the castle’s history over 900 years of occupaton in the exhibition housed in the Georgian mansion.

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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 for Covid-19 risk assessments and measures we’ve got in place please visit 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 a small car park 70m from the entrance to the site. There is no access for coaches, students can be dropped off on the main road and walk the short distance to the castle.
    • TOILETS: There are male and female toilets in the inner bailey area as well as an accessible toilet in the house.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.
    • SHOP:  There is a gift shop selling English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. We recommend bringing your students in small groups at a time.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is currently no education room or bag storage facility.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are two disabled car parking spaces available, please contact the site to reserve. The ground floor of the house is accessible via ramp. Access to upper floor of manor house and chapel is up steep steps. The grounds are accessed on compacted gravel and smooth grass, but manual wheelchair users may wish to bring an assistant.
    • WET WEATHER: In the case of inclement weather the site team will do their best to accommodate you.
  • 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 Resources

  • Teaching Medieval History

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

  • How to Take a Medieval Castle

    Watch our short animation to learn more about how to take a medieval castle. 

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

    ​Discover how castles developed over time with this short introduction.