Butser Ancient Farm School Trips

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Butser Ancient Farm is an archaeological research site, specialist education venue and working farm. We feature an internationally regarded collection of archaeologically reconstructed buildings, from Neolithic to Anglo-Saxon, which provide the perfect setting for educational visits.
Visiting schools and institutions choose in advance from an extensive list of period-specific activities. Our education programme is carefully tailored to key into the National Curriculum to maximise the educational benefits of a trip to Butser.
From the moment of your arrival the experienced Butser Ancient Farm education team organise the smooth running of the day for all visitors. All trips begin with an introductory talk and discussion around a real fire in one of the ancient houses. Our visitors then move through their planned activities, all conducted in one of our buildings or in a superb open-air setting. The Butser education team provide hands-on instruction for each activity as well as a discussion of archaeological evidence, historical detail and fascinating anecdotes to reinforce learning... and fun! There is ample time for discussion with students and staff and each activity stimulates a lively, fun discourse in which everybody is encouraged to participate.
At the end of a Butser day our visiting schools leave a little dirtier, highly stimulated, much more knowledgeable about and engaged with their subject, and on time.

Why are Butser Ancient Farm great for School Trips and Educational Visits?

If you have watched Time Team, Timewatch, Digging for Britain or any one of a plethora of archaeology or history television programmes, then you have probably seen Butser Ancient Farm. Our experimental archaeological pedigree is world renowned, with key research on prehistoric and Roman building and farming practices having emanated from Butser over its 40 plus year existence.
Set in a beautiful slice of the South Downs National Park, with views across the rolling downs of King Alfred's Wessex, Butser provides an immersive learning environment for all its visitors.
As a visitor to Butser Ancient Farm you can explore life in Prehistoric, Roman, Saxon or Viking Britain with a chance to see, smell and feel what life would have been like in a house of the period. With authentic reconstructions of buildings from Neolithic, Iron Age (Celtic), Roman and Anglo-Saxon Britain as well as material artefacts spanning thousands of years of human history and a working farm with ancient breeds, Butser Ancient Farm offers an educational experience few sites, anywhere, can equal.

What activities are available during group visits?

We have a Stone Age area and an Iron Age village at Butser Ancient Farm. There is a Roman villa and a Saxon house. All our structures are based on documented evidence from archaeological excavations.
Students visiting the farm for a whole day will take part in at least 4 hands-on activities chosen in advance from an extensive list. Activities are led by experienced Butser education staff and are designed to be specially relevant to the period studies. Our activities include Pottery, Wattle Fence Making, Jewellery, Clunching, Spinning, Cordage, Flint Wall Building, Mosaics and Roman Mathematics, Chalk Carving, Anglo-Saxon or Viking Rune Carving or Sewing, Chalk Carving and Archaeology.

What size groups do you cater for?

Minimum charge is for 20 children, however smaller groups are welcome at this price. We can accommodate very large groups, please contact us to discuss your needs.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Our houses are our classrooms and visitors will have a chance to sit around a real fire and learn about life in Britain while they experience these authentic buildings.

Is there first aid on site?

Yes

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Yes

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Yes

Teacher Checklist

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UK Location

★★★★★ Rebecca James, The Russell Primary School
"We had a great day, thank you! It bought the topic to life with lots of new information. The kids really enjoyed it and we've done so much work based on the visit."

★★★★★ Jane Sampson, St Nicholas C of E Primary School
"We all had a great day, thank you. The real life experiences helped pupils understand life as Saxons/Vikings."

★★★★★ Suzy Barnaby, The Hermitage School
"We come to Butser every year as we really enjoy the hands on activities and that the children have the opportunity to actually see houses, clothes, tools etc from the period of time. The staff are brilliant with our children and cater to all their different needs."

★★★★★ Andy Turner , Focus Hindhead Campus
"Lovely day! Good depth of expertise by staff – also a passion for what they were doing – this rubbed off on the pupils!"

★★★★★ Kirsteen More, The Study Prep
"A fantastic day out, led by enthusiastic guides. It extended the childrens' learning with extra facts/information about life in the Iron Age/Romans. Thank you."

★★★★★ Andy Turner , Focus Hindhead Campus
"Lovely day! Good depth of expertise by staff – also a passion for what they were doing – this rubbed off on the pupils!"

Butser Ancient Farm 10 out of 10 based on ratings.

Need more inspiration?

We are bursting with ideas on places that deliver first class teaching both outside the classroom and as in-school workshops. Here are a few similar suggestions, or head to our tailor-made trip form and let us know how we can help you!