Deal Castle

School Visits

Let your students explore one of Henry VIII's finest artillery castles and find out what life was like for the people who lived and worked here.

"Deal Castle allows young learners to capture the historical experience of defending the town of Deal and the coastline from attack. It provides a factual learning journey from King Henry's time to the present day that is both engaging and informative, and plenty of fun can be had!"

Anna Palmer, Early Years Teacher

Curriculum Links

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality
  • KS1 English: Use the castle as a platform for developing stories and fairy-tales
  • KS1 Mathematics: Focus on the main shapes of the building
  • KS2 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: A local history study. The development of Church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745

Self-led visits

Enjoy a self-led visit and lead your day in your own way. Your students can explore the defences, discover the bastions and see the cannons. Let them experience Deal Castle for themselves, and learn what a Tudor fort is, why and how it was built, and the reasons why it was so important to the local area.

UK schools and eligible learning groups can visit for free to support your teaching. Find out more about our offer for international education groups. 

Enquire now

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: There is a large car park located next to the castle, with disabled parking available opposite. There is no coach parking available on site, however there are spaces for coaches available 500m away from the castle entrance.
    • TOILETS: There is one male and one female toilet located in the keep yard.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds and the education space can be used for lunch in bad weather.
    • SHOP: There is a shop selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and themed souvenirs. We recommend bringing your class in small groups.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: The gatehouse, courtyard and the ground floor of the castle are all accessible to wheelchair users. Other areas of the site are accessed via staircases and people with limited mobility may need some assistance.
  • 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 self-led education visits during school term time*. 

    *Education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-3 November: Monday-Friday 10-5pm
    • 4 November-26 December: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 27 December-1 January: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 2 January-14 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 15 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources