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: Available in the walled garden area. Disabled visitors may park in the disabled parking bays. There is a coach drop off point which is sign posted, on the main driveway. Coaches can park in the car park, located through the last right hand turn towards the end of the driveway. A map of this will be provided upon booking.
  • TOILETS: Male and female toilets are located at the visitor centre.
  • EDUCATION ROOM: Available to book with tables and seating plus access to a connected enclosed yard. The education room can also be used for bag storage if booked in advance. 
  • LUNCH: Outdoor picnic area available for groups to use. The cafe offers a range of light refreshments. Groups are welcome to use the Education Room if available. This can be booked prior to arrival.
  • SHOP: The shop sells a range of English Heritage gifts and souvenirs. Please bring your students in small groups.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: The grounds are pathed and are relatively flat. There is disability access to the Archaeological Store Room used for the Discovery Visit.
  • WET WEATHER: Visits to the inside of the house will not be disrupted by wet weather. The garden will be slippery in wet weather so extra care should be taken.

• Hazard Information

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • Wrest Park Hazard Information.pdf (60.2 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

  A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

  • The Romans: Life & Culture Risk Assessment.pdf (69.4 KB)

• Other Information

  In association with Girlguiding Bedfordshire, the 'Wrest Park Quest' badge is available for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides to earn upon completion of the associated outdoor quest in the grounds and environmentally friendly pot planting activity. Equipment is provided for self-led activities in our education room.

  Please book your quest as a Free Education Visit by contacting our bookings team on bookeducation@english-heritage.org.uk or call us on 0370 333 0606

• 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-5 November: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Wednesdays
  • 6 November-11 February: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
  • 26 February-31 March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm