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
  • THE FORT: The fort is open as usual and access to the wider stretches of Hadrian's Wall from Housesteads is accessible.
  • MUSEUM AND EXHIBITION: We recommend brining your pupils in small groups. 
  • TOILETS: Our toilets are open as usual at the National Trust entrance, limited English Heritage toilets are in operation near the museum. 
  • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring packed lunches and picnic at the property.
  • SHOP: The shop will be open as usual. We recommend bringing your pupils in small groups.
  • PARKING: Coach parking 500 metres from the site on a steep gradient. A fee is payable. Disabled parking is available near the fort: please call the site in advance.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room is currently unavailable. Please check back for updates.

  Site Map

  

• Hazard Information

  A useful to help with your risk assessments.

  • Housesteads Roman Fort Hazard Information.pdf (72.3 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

• Risk Assessments

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

  • Meet a Roman Soldier Risk Assessment.pdf (82.4 KB)
  • Murder at the Fort Risk Assessment.pdf (60.5 KB)

• Education Site Opening Times

  We offer free self-led education visits during school term time^*.

  ^*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 
  • November-January: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • February-March: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm. Meet a Roman Soldier Discovery Visits available Tuesday-Wednesday