Peveril Castle

School Visits

Founded soon after 1066 by William Peveril and overlooking Hope Valley and Cave Dale, Peveril Castle is a fantastic and historically important site to explore on a free self-led school visit.

Curriculum links

An exciting and dramatic Norman castle overlooking the Derbyshire countryside offers educational opportunities for school groups, particularly history from 1066, when the castle was founded.

  • KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places; study of castles
  • KS1-3 History: A local history study
  • KS2 History: A 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 Medieval Britain 1066-1509

Self-led Visits

Mentioned in the Domesday survey, Peveril Castle is one of England's earliest Norman fortresses. The keep was built by Henry II in 1176. Displays in the visitor centre tell the story of Peveril as the administrative focus of the Royal Forest of the Peak, a royal hunting preserve since the 11th century. Climb the hill to visit the castle grounds, and explore the keep.

UK schools and eligible learning groups can visit for free to support your teaching. Find out more about our offer for international education groups.

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Peveril Castle Sensory Story Backpack

Engage your students’ senses and imagination as they become 12th-century guards, working at Peveril Castle. Use objects to bring the story and site to life as you move around key locations. Recommended for EYFS, Key Stage 1 and SEND students.

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Plan Your Visit

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: Parking is available at the Castleton visitor centre.
    • LUNCH: The picnic area outside the visitor cantre can be used by groups.
    • TOILETS: There is one unisex toilet and one disabled toilet.
    • SHOP: Gift Shop selling English Heritage souvenirs.
    • EXHIBITION: Permanent exhibition display on the upper floor of the visitor centre about the history of the castle.

    Site Map

    Peveril Site Map

  • 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.

    • April-October: Monday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • November-March: Mondays and Fridays 10-4pm

Learning Resources

  • Peveril Castle Teachers' Kit (EYFS-KS4)

    Use the information and activities in this Teachers' Kit to discover more about Peveril Castle.

  • Teaching Anglo-Saxons and Normans

    Use historical information, learning activities and tips from our historians, curators and educational experts to support your teaching of the Anglo-Saxons and Normans.

  • Taskmaster Education at English Heritage

    We’ve teamed up with Taskmaster Education to bring an extra layer of fun to school visits to our sites. Find out more about how we can help you create a Taskmaster-style experience during your trip.

  • A Brief History of the Normans

    Learn more about the origins of the Normans, the dispute between Harold Godwinson and William the Conqueror and how the Normans took control of England in this short animation.

  • A Mini Guide to Castles

    ​Discover how castles developed over time with this short introduction.

  • Enquire now

    0370 333 1181

  • We’re upgrading our booking system between 2-10 February 2026 and won’t be able to take bookings during this time. Please contact bookeducation@english-heritage.org.uk for any queries about existing bookings. If you’ve already got in touch with us, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can, but please note that we may take slightly longer than usual to respond.