Ashby de la Zouch Castle

School Visits

Originally a 12th century manor house, Ashby de la Zouch Castle reached castle status in the 15th century, with impressive features like the Hastings Tower and chapel. Make sure you discover the underground passage from the kitchen to the tower, probably created during the English Civil War war, which can still be explored today as well as seeing the stunning veiws from the top of the tower!

“Fitted in with everything we are doing on the subject”

Teacher, KS2

 

Image © Historic England Archive

Curriculum Links

Support your teaching in the classroom by stepping out of it. A visit to Ashby de la Zouch Castle will help you bring learning to life, covering multiple topics across the curriculum and key stages.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places within the locality
  • 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 Britain 1066-1509 and 1509-1750
  • GCSE History: Study of the historic environment

 

© Historic England Archive

Self-Led Visits

Book a self-led visit to Ashby de la Zouch Castle and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives.

Climb the party ruined Great Tower for fantasic views of the surrounding areas, and discover the underground tunnel leading to a hidden Civil War store room. The gardens and grounds of Ashby de la Zouch castle also provide excellent opportunities to exlpore the range of trees and wildlife native to Leicestershire. 

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

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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 for Covid-19 risk assessments and measures we’ve got in place please visit 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 no coach access to the site; students should be dropped off at a safe point on South Street or in one of the nearby car parks. Car and minibus parking can be found in town, payable locally.
    • TOILETS: One unisex toilet on site.
    • LUNCH: There is no indoor lunch space available. Picnics are welcome in the grounds.
    • SHOP: There is a small shop selling a selection of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Guidebook available in the shop –Education groups receive a 20% discount on guidebooks. We ask the class visit the shop groups of 6 and supervised by a leader.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: There is not currently an education room or bag storage.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are disabled parking spaces and disabled visitors may be set down outside the visitor centre. Toilets are accessible. The site is mainly rough mown grass with some paved paths. Parts of the site, i.e. the tunnel and towers, are only accessible via stone steps.
    • WET WEATHER: There is no indoor space or wet weather shelter on site. Groups should come dressed in suitable clothing and footwear.
  • 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-1 November: Wednesday-Sunday 10-5pm
    • 2 November-16 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 17 February-23 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 February-31 March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

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.

  • How to Take a Medieval Castle

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

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

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

  • Taskmaster Education at English Heritage

    We’ve teamed up with Taskmaster Education to bring an extra layer of fun to school visits to our sites. Find out more about how we can help you create a Taskmaster-style experience during your trip.