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: Due to the narrow single-track approach to the castle entrance we would request that coaches are parked at the layby just south of the Old Sarum Castle entrance on the A345, opposite the Harvester Old Sarum pub (SP1 3SF). There is space here to disembark from the coach safely. To access the castle site walk to the top of the layby and follow the chalk footpath to the castle drive, turn left and walk up the drive and over the wooden bridge to the castle. The ticket office is on your right.  If any of your education groups have extra access needs please call the site team on 01722 335398 to arrange access to the visitor car park.
    
  • TOILETS: Toilets, including an accessible toilet are situated next to the car park.
  • LUNCH: Picnic areas are available outdoors. Unfortunately there is no undercover space for lunch or bag storage.
  • SHOP: There is a gift shop selling souvenirs, we recommend you bring your class in small groups at a time.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: Education tents are currently unavailable.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: There is one disabled parking bay which cannot be reserved. Visitors with disabilities can be set down at the bottom of the bridge. If the driver is disabled, they are welcome to leave the car there, but this must be arranged with the site in advance. There is a ramp into the shop. The ground level is accessible in the ruins and there is a slope leading to the upper levels (assistance may be required).
  • FACE MASKS: 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. U11s are exempt.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Old Sarum Hazard Information.pdf (75.7 KB)

   

  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: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm
  • November-March: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm