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Ancient Civilisations School Workshops

The history of the world's early civilisations



Which ancient civilisations trips in the UK best suit the history curriculum?

Ancient civilisations visits cover Egypt, Greece, Rome - using artefacts and reenactments for deep cultural understanding.

From the majestic temples of Ancient Egypt to the bustling cities of the Indus Valley. Various ancient cultures provide a fascinating foundation for learning about human ingenuity and how societies evolved, and how early civilisations made progress in areas like mathematics, medicine, trade and culture. By incorporating the ancient history school trips and workshops below, give your children memorable learning experiences that will add to their classroom work.

During a workshop delving into the Shang dynasty of ancient China, students might examine bronze artifacts, take a look at the Shang writing system, and learn about the dynasty's impressive technological advancements in fields like astronomy and agriculture.

Workshops about The Maya of Mesoamerica could transport students back in time, allowing them to marvel at the towering pyramids of Chichen Itza, or their sophisticated calendar and cosmological beliefs, and the empire's impressive feats of engineering and urban planning.

The classical Greek world might have students reenacting the dialogues of Socrates, analysing the exquisite artworks and architecture that defined the Greek period, and debating the democratic principles that came into being for the Athenians.

Alternatively, explore the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age with its technological innovations, scientific and scholarly advancements, uncover the rich history and cultural traditions of the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa. Bring into focus the Ancient Egyptians with their towering pyramids, mummification practices, and vibrant art. The Sumer a Mesopotamian civilization that developed an early writing and irrigation systems.

From African dance workshops to support Black History month, to Virtual Reality adventures where your class can visit Maya sites like Chichen-Itza. The trips and school workshops below specialise in Ancient Civilisation experiences for school groups. Click through for more information, view our in-school Ancient Civilisations workshops page, or use the short purple enquiry form if you need any help with more ideas for your group.

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Ancient Civilisations topics: Ancient China, Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greeks, Ancient Sumer, Aztec Civilisation, Inca Empire, Islamic Civilisation, Kingdom of Benin, Maya Civilisation, The Indus Valley, The Shang Dynasty, and more.

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Popular school trip April 2026 !

Cosford Exhibition-Cold War

location icon School Trip West Midlands
apple icon Subjects: History, Ancient Civilisations, Monarchs, Tudors, Twentieth Century, Victorian, SEN


Embark on a journey through time with Battlefield and History Tours, where the ancient world springs to life before your eyes. Our meticulously crafted Ancient Civilisations tours offer an unparalleled educational adventure, perfect for school trips and educational visits. Dive deep into the heart o...

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Cosford Exhibition-Cold War
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Image for a school workshop for Chocolate making KS2
Chocolate Collective
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Mayan Indians and Aztec Indians were the founders of chocolate but not as we know it today. Why Christopher Columbus chose to ignore the discovery and why Cortes the Spanish explorer did bring it...
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Mayan Civilisations
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Pupils learn about: - Mayan inventions and how they came to be ' including the calendar. - The Mayan currency and how they bought and sold. - The Mayan diet and how this was dictated by farm land...
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Travelling through History with Minecraft
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Minecraft provides a unique and engaging platform for exploring Ancient Civilisations. By recreating historical landmarks, cities, and daily life scenarios, students can immerse themselves in the...
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Shang Dynasty
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During the workshop, our drama facilitator will guide your class through an exploration of the people who populated the Shang Dynasty. From fearsome warriors and the royal family to everyday people,...
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Mayan workshop in a school hall
Mayan Workshops
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Because we use nothing more than dowel and rubber bands in all of our unique workshops the importance of triangulation in making all other two dimensional shapes strong is key in all the structures we...
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The Shang Dynasty
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Shang Dynasty Drama Day: Topic information the children will learn about through our Shang Dynasty Drama Days: - The Historical Context of The Shang Dynasty - What life was like during The...
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school classroom Virtual Reality lesson
Mayans VR Workshop
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PrimeVR can bring your history topic to life by transporting your pupils to Chichen-Itza in Mexico! Using virtual reality headsets, we'll introduce your class to the ancient civilisation of the Maya...
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Early Islamic Civilisation
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Pupils will embark on a drama-filled journey to ancient Mesopotamia, where some of the world's earliest civilisations began. They'll learn what made this ancient metropolis so powerful and what everyday life was like in this Early Islamic Civilisation.
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table filled with maya imagery
Maya Workshop
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Our Maya workshop is incredibly hands-on and engaging. Children get to create their own Maya pottery out of clay, take part in a joint Maya dance whilst wearing Maya masks which they have made beforehand and they even get the opportunity to investigate a range of incredible Maya artefacts!
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Kingdom of Benin
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Pupils will explore the timeline of the ancient Kingdom of Benin, the people who lived there and their roles within the civilisation. They'll discover their culture, gods and the incredible achievements made.
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actor dressed as maya priest performing ceremony
Mayans & Aztecs!
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In these workshops we cover Ancient Civilisations, compare and contrast with European culture, understanding belief systems and religion, warfare and more!
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China VR Workshop
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During this workshop, your class will have the chance to visit The Great Wall of China built by the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City used by the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the see the Terracotta Army built as part of a huge burial chamber for the first emperor of China.
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Ancient Maya
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During the course of the workshop day, our drama facilitator will guide your class through exploration of the people in Ancient Maya society, their gods and cultural traditions.
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school hall set for a workshop about maya incas and aztecs
Maya, Incas and Aztecs
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Dan Tastic Education brings knights, castles, turrets & towers to life with an in school Aztec, Inca & Mayan Workshop & Wow Day experience that works as the perfect topic hook for your pupils!...
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children in a circle holding hands in a drama workshop
Ancient Sumer
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The Ancient Sumer Drama Day: Topic information the children will learn about through our Ancient Sumer Drama Days: - Ancient Sumer Discoveries - The Epic of Gilgamesh - Farming and the...
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children in a school hall workshop
Indus Valley
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Children will learn about: - The position of the Indus civilisation within the timeline of world history - The geographical importance of the Indus Valley, and how this helped and hindered daily...
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children in a school hall workshop
Early Islamic Civilisations
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Children learn about: - The timeline of Early Islam - The ancient, walled city of Baghdad - Important buildings including: The Dome of the Rock and The Great Mosque - Key figures including...
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actor dressed as an explorer
Maya Workshops
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Travel back in time with our professional actor who takes on the role of Sally Spade, our enthusiastic archaeologist to explore lots of key themes from this fascinating period of history.
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school child wearing a VR headset in the classroom
Virtual Reality Day
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PrimeVR can bring your history topic to life using virtual reality! Imagine being able to travel back in time to see what it would have been like to live in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient...
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Olympic Games
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Pupils will embark on a drama-filled journey to ancient Greece to discover the History of the Olympics. The Olympic Games were started by the Greeks in 776 BC to honour the almighty king of the gods, Zeus. 776 BC?! That's a seriously long time ago! So why do we still celebrate and compete today?
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Leading UK Destinations for Ancient Civilisations Trips

Our ancient history school trips above cover all of the main civilisations mentioned in the curriculum. Other great places to study this topic, if you are lucky enough to live close by, include:

  • Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge: Features Egyptian and Near Eastern collections, ideal for exploring ancient art and culture
  • British Museum, London: Showcases treasures like the Rosetta Stone, perfect for studying Egypt and Mesopotamia
  • Oriental Museum, Durham: Offers artifacts from Ancient China and the Indus Valley, engaging young historians


Ancient Civilisations School Trips - Frequently Asked Questions

9 March 2026

Why are workshops about ancient civilisations so popular?
They’re a fantastic way to bring history to life, exploring the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt, the mysterious ruins of the Maya, or the intricate urban planning of the ancient Indus Valley. These experiences help students connect with the past visually, making history more engaging beyond textbooks.

Are there workshops or museums for learning about ancient civilisations?
Definitely! Workshops are great for interactive storytelling and myth exploration, usually costing between £150 and £400. Museums house authentic artifacts and exhibits that let students get up close with history, like ancient pottery, tools, and jewelry that was made by people who lived in these ancient civilisations.

Are there free options for exploring ancient civilisations?
Yes, some of the best options are free! The British Museum’s galleries are free and feature extensive collections from Egypt, Greece, and other ancient cultures. Plus, local archaeological ruins or outdoor sites often have free access and are perfect for outdoor learning.

What are the top 10 school trips to ancient civilisations?
1. British Museum (Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures free entry)
2. In-school ancient workshops (storytelling, artifact handling)
3. Stonehenge (Neolithic monument)
4. Roman Baths in Bath (Roman engineering and culture)
5. Hadrian’s Wall (Roman frontier in Britain)
6. Orkney sites (Neolithic settlement and tombs)
7. Welsh dolmens (prehistoric burial chambers)
8. Scottish Picts (ancient carved stones)
9. Local museums with artifacts from ancient times
10. V&A Museum (designs and craftsmanship from ancient cultures)

How can trips be accessible for SEND students?
Museums often have sensory-friendly exhibits and touch tables, which are perfect for engaging students with different needs. Workshops can be adapted with visual aids and storytelling to create an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone.

What’s the typical budget for an ancient civilisations trip?
Many activities are affordable, with free museum visits plus bus travel can cost around £4 to £12 per child. Entry to sites ranges from £6 to £15, while workshops might be between £150 and £400. For longer trips or residential stays, costs are roughly £140 to £280 per student, and there are often grants available to help cover expenses.


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