Kirby Hall

School Visits

Any study of Elizabethan and Stuart England would be greatly enhanced by a visit to Kirby Hall. Even though much is now ruined it was once at the forefront of architectural design and you can easily see how grand and impressive it once was. Interior spaces have been carefully restored to reflect 17th and 18th Century décor; the display area provides a fascinating array of objects reflecting the history of the house and gardens. Interactive displays will give your students a chance to get involved in this site. 

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

Teacher, KS2

 

Curriculum Links

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

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in their locality
  • KS1 Geography: Human geography - houses
  • KS1 Science: Plants, seasonal changes, materials
  • KS2 History: A study of a period beyond 1066. A local history study
  • KS2 Geography: Human geography and settlements
  • KS2 Art and Design: architects and their designs
  • KS2 Science: plants and materials
  •  KS3 History: Development of church, state and society in Britain 1509-174. Local history study
  • KS3 Geography: human geography – influence on and change of landscape, fieldwork to contrast locations
  • KS3 Art and Design: History of art, craft, design and architecture
  • KS4 History: AQA Elizabethan England, Restoration England. Edexcel: Early Elizabethan England 1558-88
  • KS4 Geography: human interactions with the environment, changes over time and fieldwork
  • KS4 Art and Design: develop knowledge and understanding of art, craft and design in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures; develop an awareness of the purposes, intentions and functions of art, craft and design in a variety of contexts and as appropriate to students’ own work. Architectural, landscape, interior design, location photography, analyse and interpret other’s work in context
  • KS5 History: AQA The Tudors; Stuart Britain
  • KS5 Art: knowledge of art, craft and design in past societies, interior design, environmental design and architectural design

Free Self-Led Visits

Book a free self-led visit to Kirby Hall and organise your day to suit your curriculum objectives. Don’t miss the stunning gardens recreated as they would have been in the late 17th Century. The coloured glass in the windows was an expensive luxury at the time, as were the immense chimneys standing so tall, making them good features for study during your trip. Step back in time through our new interactive exhibition ‘Kirby Hall: Rise and Fall’ and experience what the hall would have been like in its heyday, when King James I was a frequent visitor. Put your best step forward and be greeted by music and the sounds of dining in the Great Chamber before having a go at one of our fun interactive games.

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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 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: Ample parking on site, with a short walk to the house itself.
    • TOILETS:  Toilets, including accessible ones are available.
    • LUNCH: Indoor space can be provided by request and picnics are welcome.
    • SHOP: Small shop on site. Please visit in small groups.
    • EDUCATION ROOM or BAG STORAGE: Bag storage can be provided but there is no education room on site.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: Upper floor levels are reached by stairs, but ground floor levels and the gardens can be accessed by wheelchair users.
    • WET WEATHER: Although much of the site is ruined, there are undercover spaces available.
  • 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*. 

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • 1 April-31 October: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 1 November-23 December Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • 24 December-26 March: No bookings can be taken at the current time
    • 27 March-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Teaching Tudors and Stuarts

    This guide to teaching Tudors and Stuarts includes advice from our educational experts and historians as well as suggested activities to try with your students in the classroom or on a school trip. 

  • English Heritage Podcast: At home with the Hattons at Kirby Hall

    Step into England’s story with our new weekly podcast. Join presenter Charles Rowe as we bring the history of Kirby Hall to life with news, views and expert interviews.

  • Speaking With Shadows Podcast

    When you’re wandering about a historic place, what voices do you hear echoing off the walls? Are they the ones you learnt about at school – or do you wonder about the shadowy, quiet voices that may have gone unheard? Speaking with Shadows is the podcast that listens to the people that history forgot.

  • Painting Our Past: The African Diaspora in England Learning Pack (KS1-KS4+)

    Use our learning pack to explore a series of portraits commissioned by English Heritage depicting six historic figures from the African diaspora whose stories have contributed to England’s rich history. 

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