Restormel Castle

School Visits

Cover a range of curriculum objectives with a visit to Restormel Castle. Once a grand and luxurious medieval retreat, the castle now offers an opportunity to learn more about medieval life and how and why castles were built and defended. 

Curriculum links

Visit Restormel Castle to support your teaching in a fun and engaging way, and cover multiple topics across the curriculum.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places within the locality
  • KS1 Geography:  Use geographical skills and fieldwork
  • KS2 History: Local history study. Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS2 Geography: Use geographical skills and fieldwork. Understand the strategic significance of the castle’s position
  • KS3 History: Local history study. Development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
  • GCSE History: Study of the historic environment

Free self-led visits

Book a free self-led visit and organise your day to fulfil your curriculum objectives. Explore the castle ruins and look out for the remains of grand rooms with large fireplaces and high windows. Climb the stone staircase from the castle to the wall walk to see the stunning views over the countryside, and imagine how these castle walls once defended Restormel from attack. There are also extensive grounds to enjoy a picnic lunch and spot local plants and wildlife. 

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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: The free on site car park has 25 spaces and two coach spaces, and is roughly 70 metres from the site entrance. 
    • TOILETS: Toilets including accessible toilets are available on site.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room may be available for bag storage, please book directly with the site. 
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to eat in the grounds. There are a number of benches and three tables located on the site.
    • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your students in supervised small groups.
  • 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-September: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • October: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 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.

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

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

  • How to Take a Medieval Castle

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