Castle Acre: Castle Acre Priory

Schools

A stunning and inspiring location for a cross-curricular school trip. Make the most of your day at Castle Acre Priory by visiting the on-site exhibition, recreated herb garden, and new stonework display in the Prior's lodgings. Download the free resources for schools below. 

Information about your visit

Our number one priority remains the health, safety and security of all of our visitors, staff and volunteers. Our staff are still working hard to keep everyone safe and make sure you and your group have an enjoyable visit.

Important information to consider before you book:

  • To keep everyone safe we’re continuing to limit visitor numbers at some sites and in some indoor spaces. Please book as soon as possible to secure your preferred trip date and times.
  • Find out more about what to expect on your school visit and make sure you download our COVID risk assessments; download a free copy of managing education visits during the pandemic and if you're participating in a Discovery Visit download our managing Discovery Visits during the pandemic risk assessment
  • To make the planning process as easy as possible, make sure you check our Plan Your School Trip section at the bottom of this page, for updated information on the facilities at the site as well as our free resources.
  • You’ll need to book your visit at least 14 days in advance. Please check our terms and conditions for full details.
  • Although is it not a requirement, any teachers, parents, or students aged 16 years can check in via the NHS Test and Trace app, using the NHS QR code posters displayed at the site entrance. Please factor this into your travel/arrival time. For more information about how we are handling your personal data for NHS Test and Trace please visit this page.
  • Our staff are continuing to wear a face covering in our busy areas and indoor spaces, and we encourage you and your group to do the same where possible.

At some sites you might not be able to use our handling collections or costumes as part of a free self-led visit, but where we can provide hands-on items in a safe way we will. We’ve adapted our Discovery Visit workshops to keep you and your group safe at all times, but for certain sessions we’re still working on this – please check the Discovery Visit section and Facilities section on this page below for further information.

Curriculum Links

Once the beautiful home of a working community of Cluniac monks with a great love for art and decoration, Castle Acre Priory is a fascinating site to explore for its historical significance and visual decadence.

  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
  • KS2 History: Study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
  • KS3 History: The development of Church, state and society in Britain 1066-1509 and 1509-1745
  • KS3 Geography: Local knowledge, geographical skills and fieldwork, human and physical geography
  • KS3 Art & Design: The history of art, craft, design and architecture
  • KS4 AQA GCSE History: Exam for 2022, specifically Paper 2: ‘Shaping the Nation’, Section B, Part 4: ‘The historic environment of Norman England’.

Free Self-Led Visits

The Priory has a huge amount to see and explore. From the extremely well preserved west front of the great 12th-century church to the remains of the cloister and monks' living quarters, which includes a two-storey, 24-seater toilet block. See below to download our Learning Resources to support your teaching before, during and after your visit. Use our Tour and Explore teachers' guide and student booklet for students to take part in a self-led tour around Castle Acre Priory. Make a full day of your visit by walking through the village to the nearby Castle and Bailey Gate using our illustrated map.

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PLAN YOUR TRIP

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. 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 for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.

  • Facilities
    • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room is currently unavailable.
    • PARKING: Space for up to four coaches, please specify when booking.
    • TOILETS: Male and female toilets available 50 metres from entrance (not accessible for wheelchairs).
    • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs.
    • ACCESS: Parts of the site are limited to those who cannot climb the spiral staircase.
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