Leaders of learning groups can take advantage of an unusual opportunity to have an entire historic site to themselves this March, with 24 of English Heritage's top properties opening exclusively for education visits on Mondays and Fridays in March 2012.
Although most English Heritage sites remain open to the public every weekend throughout the winter months, schools and other learning groups will still be able to go to the 24 properties during the week on Mondays and Fridays in March, enjoying free access on an exclusive basis.
"Particularly for children, school trips can be exciting and fun cross-curricular experiences, but are even more so when a whole castle or abbey becomes your 'classroom' for the duration of the visit," explains English Heritage's head of education and interpretation, Sandra Stancliffe. "By having our sites exclusively open to education groups on Mondays and Fridays, students can experience the sites without teachers and group leaders having to worry about getting in the way of other visitors, which can make for a more relaxed, enjoyable and productive visit."
As with visits at any time of the year, education visits to English Heritage sites are completely free, with many resources available to help teachers with organisation of the trip, from site hazard information sheets to help leaders compile their own risk assessment, to ideas for lesson plans that go well beyond mere historical study, encompassing literacy, numeracy, science, art and geography.
"Free education visits are not confined to school groups, or indeed, just children," adds Sandra. "Anyone running an educational group, from home educators, scouts and further education institutions to University of the Third Age (U3A) are welcome to take advantage of this offer. And some of these groups can also visit at weekends throughout the winter too."
Information about all of English Heritage's education visits is available online at www.english-heritage.org.uk/education, and with a new centralised booking system now in operation, free entry booking is easier than ever as there's now only one number to dial - 0870 333 0606.
The 24 properties open exclusively for pre-booked free education visits on Mondays and Fridays in March are:
London
South East
South West
East of England
East Midlands
West Midlands
Yorkshire & Humber
North West
North East
- Chester Roman Fort and Museum, Northumberland
- Housesteads Roman Fort, Northumberland will be closed for the winter until 31 March to enable re-development works, although the fort itself will remain open as a free site. School groups will be able to access the site and parking will be available in the main car park but we regret that no other facilities (including toilets) will be available and no Discovery Visits will be offered.
Stonehenge, Old Sarum and Kenwood House remain open daily throughout the winter. Book now for free entry visits (available throughout the week 1 April - 31 October) at most English Heritage properties.
