Educational School Visits near Durham

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County Durham has lots of educational school trip opportunities for children at primary and secondary. Providing hands-on learning experiences in history, culture, and the great outdoors, the venues below have lots of experience working with local schools to help bring classroom topics to life.

At Newcastle Castle, students can step back in time to explore the medieval history of this imposing building. Venturing further north, the stunning ruins of Richmond Castle offer an opportunity to learn about this stronghold with its views over the Yorkshire Dales. For those interested in Roman history, Chesters Roman Fort and Museum and Housteads Roman Fort should be on your list, featuring remarkably well-preserved ruins and a fascinating museum collection, the museums have engaging interactive displays that bring the world of Roman Britain to life. Seeking an outdoor adventure? You will enjoy a visit to Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre, where your class can take part in lots of different adventure activities designed to promote soft skills as well as teamwork and leadership.

County Durham has plenty to offer and many ways for students to learn more about subjects and topics from the classroom. Have a look below or use the form to find your next school trip.

Able to travel to other counties in North East, have a look at our trip pages for: Northumberland, for more school trip ideas.

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Adventures to be won every week! Get a Victorian day trip for your school at Leighton Hall by making an enquiry below or visit the Win School Trips page

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Grafham Water Centre

location icon North West
apple iconOutdoor learning day


We are excited to invite one lucky school to experience a memorable day of free outdoor learning at Grafham Water Centre. Your group of up to 30 students will have the opportunity to enjoy four action-packed hours of activities, expertly supported by our dedicated programme team. Activities available include sailing, pioneering, mountain biking, bushcraft, high ropes, climbing, and archery.

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Autumn Term Giveaway

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Image for a day trip to Newcastle Castle for schools ks2 ks3
Newcastle Castle
map pin Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ
Tyne and Wear

A day out at Newcastle Castle will inspire your class and ignite their imagination. Join us for a range of exciting workshops and full of hands on activities, which will give them a day out they will never forget.
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Life Science Centre
Life Science Centre
map pin Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
Tyne and Wear

For a great School Trip in Newcastle upon Tyne, look no further than the Life Science Centre with exhibitions, events, theatre shows and the biggest planetarium in the North of England
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view of Richmond Castle
Richmond Castle
map pin Richmond DL10 4QW
North Yorkshire

Take your learning out of the classroom and explore Richmond Castle's rich and varied history, from the Norman origins of the medieval castle, to the First World War and conscientious objectors.
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Aerial view of Chesters Roman Fort and Museum
Chesters Roman Fort and Museum
map pin Hexham NE46 4EU
Northumberland

Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall gives a real sense of how the Roman army was trying to assert power over this part of the British countryside. The venue, complete with museum is a fantastic learning resource for school groups.
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Vindolanda
Vindolanda
map pin Hexham NE47 7JN
Northumberland

Welcome to the North East's best day out on Hadrian's Wall. Explore Roman life on the edge of the empire 2000 years ago. Come and enjoy the Vindolanda Writing Tablets, live archaeology, and much more.
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Housesteads Roman Fort
Housesteads Roman Fort
map pin Hexham NE47 6NN
Northumberland

A school visit to Housesteads Roman Fort is a unique experience. High on the wild Whin Sill escarpment, Housesteads is the most complete example of a Roman fort anywhere in Britain.
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remains of a roman wall
Roman Trips for Primary and Middle Schools - Curriculum Travel
map pin Northumberland

Curriculum Travel specialises in primary & middle school tours and day trips. Romans are a big part of the curriculum and what better way to experience it than a visit to Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort and Vindolanda.
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view of birdoswald roman fort
Birdoswald Roman Fort
map pin Brampton CA8 7DD
Cumbria

Book a free school trip to Birdoswald Roman Fort, to explore the extensive remains of the Roman Fort and see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this magnificent World Heritage Site.
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Warkworth Castle
Warkworth Castle
map pin Morpeth NE65 0UJ
Northumberland

A school visit to Warkworth Castle is a unique experience. Once home to the powerful Percy family who now reside in Alnwick Castle, Warkworth was, and remains, one of the largest and most impressive fortresses in North East England.
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Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey
map pin Helmsley YO62 5LB
North Yorkshire

Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England's abbey ruins. It's no wonder it's one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North.
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Carlisle Castle
Carlisle Castle
map pin Carlisle CA3 8UR
Cumbria

Discover the most besieged castle in England, on a free education visit to this unique site, or enhance learning with a hands-on learning workshop with our site experts.
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Residential Trips Durham

Planning an overnight trip for your school or looking for a tailored educational residential programme? Your students can benefit from an activity week in Durham or its neighbouring counties. Discover exciting school residential learning experiences that promote teamwork, and outdoor education.

student accommodation in newcastle
Kabannas Newcastle
map pin Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6UQ
Northumberland

Affordable and comfortable group accommodation for school trips in the centre of Newcastle. We have fantastic links to the Castle and other locations across Newcastle. Short walk from the train station and easy access for coach drop off.
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medieval wall at York
York for Primary & Middle schools - Curriculum Travel
map pin York
North Yorkshire

Curriculum Travel specializes in providing educational tours tailored for young learners. Our itineraries include immersive experiences in Viking history, visits to Eden Camp, explorations of York Minster, tours of the National Railway Museum
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children in a canadian canoe at low mill outdoor education centre
Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre CIO
map pin Leyburn DL83HZ
North Yorkshire

Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre is a 42 bed outdoor education centre in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales which caters for exclusive residential stays for school groups. We are a charity with a 50 year heritage of providing residential activities.
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YHA building
YHA Malham
map pin Malham BD23 4DT
North Yorkshire

Set in the heart of a beautiful Yorkshire Dales village, YHA Malham is perfectly placed for exploring the spectacular Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar.
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three children learning to use a compass during duke of edinburgh training
Bike, Hike & Paddle Ltd
map pin

Bike Hike and Paddle was founded with a simple but powerful goal: to get people outdoors and push the boundaries of what they think is possible. We empower participants to complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expeditions.
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big school camp equipment
Big School Camp North
map pin

We offer a range of unique and innovative outdoor activities with a residential experience delivered on your school's premises. Our camps help you deliver a full outdoor learning experience with 100% participation for all and at a very low costs
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Durham School Workshops

Is your school located in Durham? A huge range of workshop providers can bring the learning experience to you! Allow your students to benefit from specialist knowledge about your class subject or topic..

Suffragettes Workshop
map pin In-school Workshop

During this Drama Hut Workshop, we meet Sylvia, (the daughter of WSPU founder Emmeline Pankhurst) as she leads the children to explore the Suffragette movement, how it was formed and the gruelling fight to secure equal rights and the vote for women!
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
map pin In-school Workshop

It's time for your primary pupils to join Dorothy on a fantastical journey along the yellow brick road! In this drama-led Literacy workshop, pupils will join a One Day facilitator to explore the characters and themes of L. Frank Baum's magical tale.
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Roman School Escape Rooms
map pin In-school Workshop

Have you experienced the excitement of an Escape Room? We've turned it on its head for schools. Your pupils will have to solve a series of puzzles, locked up in a box, to find the key to stop the timer! Are yours pupils up for the challenge?
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Fairytales
map pin In-school Workshop

Open your books and jump into a magical world where your favourite fairytales come to life! Explore motifs and much-loved characters across traditional stories like Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and Hansel & Gretel. Ideal for World Book Day.
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In School Workshops

Discover lots more school workshops in Durham who can provide a tailored experience for your pupils.

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Online Workshops

We can offer a wide selection of workshops that can be delivered to your school entirely online.

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