Richmond Castle

Schools

Take your learning out of the classroom and explore Richmond Castle’s rich and varied history, from the Norman origins of the medieval castle, to the First World War and conscientious objectors. Much of the castle still survives, including the keep, with its breath-taking views from the top, and the poignant graffiti left by more recent prisoners in the cell block.

Information about your visit

A visit to one of our sites will inspire your students and bring your teaching to life. We'd like to reassure you that we're following Government guidance to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. 

Important information to consider before you book:

  • To keep everyone safe we’ve introduced limits on visitor numbers and school groups, so please bear this in mind when booking your trip.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit, which also includes our Covid 19 Risk Assessment.
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • As usual, you’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our Terms and Conditions for full details.

We’re continually updating our education offer in line with government guidance.  At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to follow government guidelines, but for certain sessions this hasn’t been possible – please check our schools webpages for further information.

There may be areas of our sites which are closed, so please check what’s available for your school group on our property webpages and with our booking team.  They can put you in touch with our Education Visits Officers who can offer help and guidance, so you can make the most of your school trip.

Curriculum links

Bring history and the curriculum to life at Richmond Castle:

  • KS1 History: Similarities and differences between ways of life in different time periods, significant historical events and people in locality
  • KS1-2 History: A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils' chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS3 History: The Norman Conquest; The development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509
  • KS3-4 Geography: Why was a castle built here? 
  • KS4 History: Study of the Historic Environment

Free self-led visits

Plan a free self-led visit and organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Explore Richmond Castle, consider why the Normans built here, and imagine what life was like during the medieval period.  Download our Teachers' Kit for useful information and learning activity suggestions for before, during and after your trip.

You can also discover the stories of the conscientious objectors who were imprisoned at the castle during the First World War in the newly reinterpreted exhibition. Download the Richmond Castle Cell Block Learning Pack to explore the science behind the conservation and the history of the cell block.

Enquire now

Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. 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 for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team are on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

 

  • Facilities
    • CASTLE: The castle will be open as usual for you to enjoy. The keep will remain closed to aid social distancing.
    • PARKING: There is no parking available onsite, however there is ample parking in the village centre and several nearby coach parking locations.
    • TOILETS: The toilets are available as usual. Additional hand sanitising stations are available across the site.
    • LUNCH: Education groups are welcome to picnic on site, however there is no dedicated education lunch space.
    • SHOP: The shop is open as usual, please bring your students in supervised small groups.
    • STORAGE: Unfortunately, there are no designated storage facilities for education groups.
    • FACE COVERINGS: Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public spaces, including in our exhibitions, shops, cafés and tea rooms. We won’t be able to give you a face covering, so please come prepared so you don’t miss out.

  • Enquire now

  • School visits academic year 2020-21

    We have changed the opening arrangements of our sites to play our part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. In line with government guidelines we’re currently unable to accept education visits at our sites. We’re currently taking education bookings from 13 February – 1 July 2021. 

    Due to the current situation we can’t answer calls as quickly as we’d like to. If you’d like more information about a site, email us and we’ll put you in touch with an Education Visits Officer, or if you’d like to book a visit you can use our online booking form. 

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