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: Only disabled parking is currently available onsite. Coaches are asked to please drop off at the entrance and use signposted city centre pay and display car parks nearby.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room is available for use, please enquire when booking your visit.
  • SHOP: There is a shop on-site selling souvenirs and resources, which can support further learning back in the classroom. We ask that group leaders liaise with site staff on arrival so we can help arrange access for your group.
  • LUNCH: There are outdoor picnic tables available.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments. 

  • Carlisle Castle Hazard Information.pdf (76.0 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

• Discovery Visits

  Our Discovery Visit Guide provides you with everything you need to know about our expert-led session at Carlisle Castle. It includes a breakdown of the learning objectives and details on how to prepare for the session. 

  • Carlisle Castle Discovery Visit Guide (KS1-KS2).pdf (1.18MB)

• Risk Assessments

  Our ready-made Discovery Visit Risk Assessment takes the hassle out of planning.

  • Captains, Captives and Costumes Risk Assessment.pdf (59.4 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

  ^*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. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 6 November-9 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
  • 10 February-18 February: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 19 February-28 March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday