School visits

School Visits

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. 

Image © Historic England Archive

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
  • GCSE History: Study of the historic environment
© Historic England Archive

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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© Historic England Archive

Expert-led Discovery Visits

Our new expert-led interactive tour of the priory is aligned to support AQA History GCSE students studying the historic environment of Norman England. At only £80 per group per session, the tour focuses on the location, function and structure of the site in the Norman period, plus the people connected with it.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept any bookings for our Discovery visit at the moment. 

Find out more

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
    • EDUCATION ROOM: If you need this space, please mention when you are making your booking.
    • PARKING: Room for four coaches at any one time. Height and width restrictions coming through Bailey Gate; coaches need to ignore the exit signs and go to the right of the gatehouse and not drive through the archway.
    • 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.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Priors lodging accessed by narrow spiral staircase. A virtual tour of Priors lodging is available in Exhibition. The Exhibition has level access. Wheelchair users can access the grounds, exhibition, education room and ground floor of the Priors lodging.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to picnic in the grounds. There is a picnic area with tables and benches for packed lunches. If the weather is bad, you are welcome to use our Education Room if available. We ask that you are responsible for clearing away all rubbish. There is a self-service tea bar at the shop where you can buy hot drinks. You can also purchase cold drinks and snacks.
    • WET WEATHER: Limited cover. If the weather is bad, the site staff will do their best to find a suitable place for your group to shelter.
  • 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 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. 
    • November-March: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources