The Iron Age Experience
School Trips @ Edsential
Home / Residentials North / Cheshire
Burwardsley Outdoor Education Centre is a residential centre set within the heart of the Cheshire countryside surrounded by the Cheshire hillforts. It is available for both residential and day visits.
Pupils can be involved with wattle and daub construction of a roundhouse wall, making clay pots, string making, corn grinding, bread making and fire lighting, giving them a chance to experience and understand Iron Age life.
Whilst still within the grounds of the Centre the archaeological dig provides evidence of past technology and lifestyles. The pupils can make discoveries which will allow them to relate their archaeological findings to the other aspects of their visit.



Why book Edsential for Residential School Trips and Educational Visits?
Burwardsley centre houses 40 students and 6 teachers so is ideal for single school/class occupancy.
Our permanent staff are fully qualified teachers and along with our freelance staff, have both specialist knowledge, and experience of working in the outdoors with young children.
There is also a pond, an adventure playground and a large grassed playing field. Within the buildings there are three independent classroom/study areas allowing for different sessions should you wish.
Aims:
To cover aspects of the history KS2 curriculum including farming, art and culture.
To get actively involved in learning Iron Age skills.
To become more aware of the relationship between archaeological findings and the time period they relate to.
What activities are available during group visits?
Pupils can be involved with wattle and daub construction of a roundhouse wall, making clay pots, string making, corn grinding, bread making and fire lighting, giving them a chance to experience and understand Iron Age life.
What size groups do you cater for?
40 students and 6 teachers
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
There are three classrooms on site.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
No
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Yes
Anything else?
‘Our trip to Burwardsley was a great ‘wow starter’ for the iron age topic. Our year 6 had a brilliant day as it really brought the iron age alive to them. Tutors led with infectious enthusiasm. I would definitely return and recommend it as a trip’ Sharon Harley, Bunbury Aldersey Primary School
And from year 3 at Shavington Primary School:
‘When I found something I felt like a real archaeologist’ Kiera
‘I really felt like an iron age person’ Charlie
‘I like digging because it felt like we were digging up iron age life’ Lewis
‘I liked being in the roundhouse and the wall told us stories’ Kaden
Teacher Checklist 

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![]() | Institute of Outdoor Learning |
UK Location 


Need more inspiration?
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