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Medieval School Trips and Workshops

Life in the Middle Ages



What medieval history school visits in the UK feature castles and knights?

Medieval trips cover feudal life, tournaments, and monasteries - immersing in the Middle Ages.

The Medieval period, also sometimes referred to as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman conquest of Britain in 1066 and lasted until the end of the fifteenth century, which saw the start of the Tudor period. Browse a rang of Medieval School Trips and workshops below.

In exchange for land, barons, earls and dukes swore oaths of loyalty to their kings. The land division, known as Feudalism, proved a successful way for the country to be governed, controlled and taxed. This age of power and control is perhaps best seen today through the castles that still dominate some of our towns and coastlines. For those not wealthy enough to live in castles (see our dedicated castles page) and fortified manor houses, life was dominated by farming in the manorial system. In exchange for toiling in the fields, peasants were given protection by the land owner.

During a Medieval School Trip, learn about these fascinating relationships as well as periods such as the Black Death, the Peasants Revolt, the Crusades and the development of Medieval towns - all can be explored at some truly engaging educational venues, up and down the country. We have selected a handful who we feel offer the best experience for your school groups. If you are studying any aspect of life in the Middle Ages, you will find lots of inspiration at the medieval school trip venues featured here.

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Medieval topics: Battle of Hastings, Black Death and Medicine, Castles, Magna Carta and Parliament, Medieval Society and Feudalism, Norman Conquest, Peasants Revolt, Religion and Crusades, Wars of the Roses, and more.

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Find the perfect Medieval experience for your school trip




Popular school trip October 2026 !

YHA St Briavels Castle

location icon West Midlands
apple iconAccommodation Only, History, Local History, Medieval, Outdoor Learning, Physical Education, Team Building


Over 800 years old, YHA St Briavels Castle is a Grade I listed ancient monument with a real wow factor, bags of character and a magical charm perfect for a school residential.

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Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle
map pin East Midlands

Discover the history of Bolsover Castle with your students and bring learning about 1066 and medieval castles to life. The castle as it appears today is based on Charles Cavendish's work in the...
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a medieval actor with a school group at Dover Castle
Dover Castle
map pin London & South East

Take a school trip to explore Dover Castle's medieval history in the Great Tower keep and Medieval Tunnels. Enhance your learning with an expert-led KNIGHTS, FEASTS AND GARDEROBES (KS1-3) Discovery...
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Orford Castle
Orford Castle
map pin East of England

Orford Castle was very strategically important in the medieval period. Your class can learn about how the castle was given to Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, in 1261. Bigod was loyal to Henry III and...
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Scarborough Castle
Scarborough Castle
map pin Yorkshire

Explore the impressive keep and imagine what life was like in a medieval castle. Use the activity sheet with top 10 things to see, available from the English Heritage website, to guide your visit, and...
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Warkworth Castle
Warkworth Castle
map pin North East

Discover Warkworth Castle and get essential insight into Medieval England using our interactive activity trail, including helpful teacher notes and an A5 activity booklet for students. We also offer a teachers' resource pack, activity ideas and a castle timeline.
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Actor in Medieval period costume
The Plague
map pin in-school workshop

Discover and deepen your knowledge of the Plague using our workshop that incorporates drama, games, oracy and a big quiz to round off the day! Our costumed characters will transform your learning...
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Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle
map pin East Midlands

Discover Peveril Castle and get essential insight into life in a medieval castle using our interactive activity trail, including helpful teacher notes and an activity booklet for students. We also offer a teachers' resource pack, activity ideas and a castle timeline.
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school class dressed up as medieval knights and princesses
Knights and Castles Workshop & Wow Day
map pin in-school workshop

Knights & Castles are a fantastic way for children to explore medieval life, warfare, social hierarchy and the people who lived and worked within these extraordinary buildings Dan Tastic Education...
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Actor dressed as an executioner.
Crime & Punishment
map pin in-school workshop

The students will use our medieval torture artefacts to help further their knowledge of the topic. They will then re-enact a series of medieval crimes, illustrating their punishments to the audience to help embed the learning of how different crimes were dealth with.
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School children in medieval costumes at Conisbrough Castle
Conisbrough Castle
map pin Yorkshire

Explore the impressive keep and imagine what like was like in a medieval castle. To enhance learning, book an expert-led Discovery Visit workshop: - MEET THE MEDIEVALS (KS1-3): Explore the lives of...
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Actor in medieval costume
Castles in Workshop - daily life in a mediaeval castle (1144)
map pin in-school workshop

The morning workshop focuses on making and role play. The pupils will be met by the Lord or Lady of the castle, who will guide them around the castle (hall). After a short introduction the children...
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Cliffords Tower
Cliffords Tower
map pin Yorkshire

Clifford's Tower was a symbol of his power and today is a lasting remnant of the medieval castle. Let your students experience what life was like in medieval York, learning about the castle structure...
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actress with a medieval plague mask
Medieval Britain
map pin online/in-school workshop

Within this workshop we take a look at the broad Medieval period through improvisation; creating pictures in teams of castles and knights. We will also learn a popular Medieval circle dance. A fun song about the Plague will also be learnt within this workshop.
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Carlisle Castle
Carlisle Castle
map pin North West

During the medieval period, Carlisle Castle was a strategic border castle, experiencing sieges and changing ownership many times. Visit for free to learn more about how the site developed over time,...
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Actor dressed in medieval costume
Knights & Castles
map pin in-school workshop

Discover and deepen your knowledge about Knights & Castles using our workshop that incorporates dance, drama, oracy, crest making, trebuchets, dancing and a big quiz to round off the day! Our costumed...
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actor dressed as a knight outside a medieval castle
Knights & Castles Experience Day
map pin in-school workshop

In our Knights and Castles experience day, pupils step into the Battle of Hastings and discover how this pivotal battle shaped England's future, changing the course of history forever. When the world...
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Image for a day trip to Newcastle Castle for schools ks2 ks3
Newcastle Castle
map pin North East

Newcastle Castle has one of the finest surviving examples of a medieval Castle Keep in the country. Enjoy a complete tour of the walls, moat, turrets and arrow slits of the outer walls before...
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school child in medieval costume at Carisbrooke Castle
Carisbrooke Castle
map pin London & South East

Explore Carisbrooke Castle, climb the walls to look out from the top of the defences, and imagine what life was like in the medieval period. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery School Visit workshop, to investigate the history of the castle through costume, role play and handling objects.
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Actor in medieval costume
1066 Workshop: The Battle for Englalond
map pin in-school workshop

The morning workshop focuses on making and role play. The pupils will be met by the Lord of the Burh of Hlenc, who will guide then around the settlement. After a short introduction the children will...
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view of Richmond Castle
Richmond Castle
map pin Yorkshire

Plan a free self-led school visit and organise your day to suit your curriculum needs. Explore Richmond Castle, consider why the Normans built here, and imagine what life was like during the medieval...
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Medieval School Trips - Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose a medieval trip?
Because they really bring history to life with castles, knights, and feudal life all coming alive! The national curriculum is rich with stories from the Middle Ages. A trip can help make learning about medieval life both fun and immersive.

Medieval workshop or a castle visit - what’s the difference?
In-school workshops can bring activities like feasts, costume and daily life into the classroom without you having to travel and disrupt your day. They cost between £150 and £400. Castle visits offer a full immersive experience, perfect for seeing history in action.

Are there free medieval options?
You can explore local castle grounds or visit museums and galleries that have medieval collections, many of which are free.

Top 10 medieval school trips?

1. Tower of London (to see the crowns)
2. In-school medieval workshops
3. Warwick Castle
4. British Museum (medieval exhibits, free)
5. Edinburgh Castle
6. Welsh castles like Conwy
7. York city walls
8. Battle Abbey
9. Local re-enactments
10. History festivals

What about trips for SEND students?
Visitor attractions like castles have ramps for disability, while workshops can be designed for accessibility. Tell us your needs and we can help make the experience inclusive.

What’s the budget for a medieval trip?
It can vary, but generally, free grounds plus bus costs about £4-£12 per child. Castle entries are around £6-£15, and workshops range from £150 to £400. Residential stays are roughly £140-£280 per child, and group rates are usually good!

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The Bayeux Tapestry School Visit

A visit that offers pupils a once in a lifetime chance to see the Bayeux Tapestry - an incredible historical source for 1066 and the Battle of Hastings. In person and online...

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