Home / South West / Cornwall
Important update from English Heritage
In line with government guidelines, our staffed sites remain closed in the interests of public health. It is now clear that we will not be able to re-open on 1 May as we had originally hoped. Instead we will re-open as soon as government advice allows and only when we can ensure the safety of our visitors and our staff and volunteers.
Book a free visit to Pendennis Castle for a day of self-exploration of the site to suit your curriculum needs. Built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion, Pendennis Castle remains one of Cornwall's greatest fortresses, with over 400 years of defending Britain’s coasts. Explore the Tudor Gun Tower and use the Discovery Chests and other resources to support learning both in and out of the classroom.
For a hands-on, immersive experience, book a Discovery Visit workshop led by one of the site experts at Pendennis Castle. At just £100 per session for up to 30 pupils, these workshops offer quality learning experiences outside of the classroom:
• NOW AND THEN (KS1): £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
• ENEMIES ON THE HORIZON (KS2-3): £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
Once you have booked your school trip, you are entitled to a free planning visit, to familiarise yourself with the site and see all that it has to offer. Download the free Teachers’ Kit from the English Heritage website for everything you need to plan a successful trip: with site details, historical information and activities to support learning before, during and after your visit.
Why book English Heritage for School Trips and Educational Visits?
Bring learning to life outside of the classroom. Children can explore and learn for themselves at a ‘real’ historical site, developing their enquiry skills and independence, as well as key historical knowledge.
A visit to Pendennis Castle is ideal for education groups of all ages and abilities, and with downloadable hazard information, and free on-site resources, it’s easy to plan a visit with your group in mind.
Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?
Design Technology
Curriculum topics available: Materials.
Use the ‘Build me a Fortress!’ activity in the Teachers’ Kit, available from the English Heritage website, to understand how the castle was built and the materials used, and then create your own model fortress back in the classroom.
Tudors
Explore this impressive fortress and imagine what life was like working for Henry VIII, or defending against the Parliamentarians during the Civil War. Download the free Teachers’ Kit from the English Heritage website for information and activity suggestions to help support your teaching before, during and after your visit. To enhance learning, book an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop:
• NOW AND THEN (KS1): Costumes and handling artefacts are used to introduce children to the idea of change through time as they compare their own life with that of people living in Tudor times. £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
• ENEMIES ON THE HORIZON (KS2-3): This interactive guided tour explores the importance of Pendennis Castle in defending Cornwall from attack. Through exploring the site, your class will consider how defences and weaponry developed over time and what life was like for those working there. £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
World War
Explore the Half Moon Battery and discover the story of Pendennis during the Second World War. Use the activities in the free Teachers’ Kit available from the English Heritage website to support your teaching.
Human Geography
Curriculum topics available: Settlement and land use.
Why was a castle built at Pendennis? Use the ‘Falmouth’s Great Fortress’ activity in the Teachers’ Kit available from the English Heritage website to understand the geographical and strategic location of Pendennis Castle and St Mawes Castle.
What activities are available during group visits?
Cover a range of topics across the key stages:
KS1 History: Significant historical events, people and places in the locality.
KS2 History: A local history study. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
KS2 Geography: Human geography: types of settlement and land use, understand the strategic significance of the castle’s position
KS3 History: A local history study. The development of church, state and society in medieval Britain 1066-1509 and in Britain 1509-1745. Ideas, political power, industry and empire in Britain 1745-1901. Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day
KS3 Geography: Understand the key processes in human geography; understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes
GCSE History: A study of the historic environment
For a hands-on, immersive experience, book a Discovery Visit workshop led by one of the site experts at Pendennis Castle. At just £100 per session for up to 30 pupils, these workshops offer quality learning experiences outside of the classroom:
• NOW AND THEN (KS1): Costumes and handling artefacts are used to introduce children to the idea of change through time as they compare their own life with that of people living in Tudor times. £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
• ENEMIES ON THE HORIZON (KS2-3): This interactive guided tour explores the importance of Pendennis Castle in defending Cornwall from attack. Through exploring the site, your class will consider how defences and weaponry developed over time and what life was like for those working there. £100 per class, session lasts for 1¼ hours.
What size groups do you cater for?
We accept groups of all sizes to the site, but there is a limit on the total site capacity, and access is on a first come first served basis. If you would like to book one of our Discovery Visit workshops, these are limited to a maximum of 30 pupils per session.
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
Yes, there is an education room that is free for schools to use, with resources including Discovery Chests with costumes and replica artefacts. Please let the Education Bookings Team know if you would like to use this when making your booking.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, for more information please visit
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Yes - please confirm requirements for members of your group with additional needs when making your booking.
Reviews from Schools visiting English Heritage!
Teacher Checklist 
 | Risk Assessments | ||
| Inspection Visits | ||
| Free Places for Teachers | ||
| Resource Packs |
@EHEducationEnglish Heritage
Click to view more educational experiences from this provider!
28 Additional Experiences
