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Saxon and Viking School Trips

Settlers and Invaders - Life in the Dark Ages



What Saxon and Viking history trips in the UK offer interactive battles and settlements?

Saxon and Viking experiences include long ships, raids, and villages - highlighting migration and conflict.

During the early medieval period, following the departure of the Romans and before the arrival of the Normans, Invaders and Settlers visited our island from North Western Europe. School children will likely know the Anglo Saxons as being our long ago ancestors and the Vikings as being their pesky neighbours, but the reality is rather more complicated.

Enjoying Saxons workshop or a Vikings school trip will enhance your school topic. There are some of the truly enlightening museums and living history exhibits that specialise in information and resources from this fascinating period of our history. Scroll down for a quick overview of the Anglo Saxon and Viking periods and to find our school trip recommendations for places to visit to bring the subject to life.


Anglo Saxon School Trips - Saxon Settlements, Saxon Laws and Justice, museums, monuments and churches, arts and culture, lost treasures, experience the Anglo Saxons. in-school Saxon workshops

Viking School Trips - study Viking Raids, viking trade routes, recreate a viking longboat, visit viking strongholds, learn about viking mythology, and handle artefacts. in-school Viking workshops

Find a school trip or workshop for the following Saxons topics: Alfred the Great, Arts and Culture, Edward the Confessor, Invaders and Settlers, King Arthur, Saxon Laws and Justice, Saxon Settlements, and more.

Want to book Saxons trips and workshops?

Discover Saxons and Vikings school trips for your class.




Popular school trip November 2026 !

Saxons & Vikings - Butser Ancient Farm

location icon London & South East
apple iconHistory, Saxons, Vikings


Take your pupils beyond the classroom and explore the Saxon ages. On your Saxons school trip explore our reconstructed Saxon buildings, uncover the past through archaeology and learn how people lived, built, crafted and survived thousands of years ago. Your educational visit is guided by a dedica...

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anglo saxon helmet, shield and sword ukvenue/anglo_saxon_workshop__wow_day_1083mgw.webp
Anglo Saxon Workshop & Wow Day
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The Anglo-Saxons are a fascinating way for children to explore invasion, settlement, belief and everyday life in early medieval Britain Dan Tastic Education brings that history vividly to life!...
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Roundhouse Workshop
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Pupils work hands on individually, in pairs, in small groups and altogether to construct a Iron Age / Saxon Roundhouse 6m in diameter and 3m high, large enough for the whole group to occupy, some sitting around a fire, some sleeping after hunting.
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school children dressed as anglo saxons ukvenue/the_anglo-saxons_and_vikings_1823etx.jpg
The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
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The whole day is based around the Anglo-Saxons settlement in Britain after the Romans left and how they impacted on our landscape. There are various activities during the day that keep the children...
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anglo saxon battle axes logo ukvenue/anglo_saxons_1337tdp.jpg
Anglo Saxons
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During the course of the workshop, our drama facilitator will guide your class through exploration of the people in Anglo Saxon society, their gods and burial rituals.
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actor dressed as an egyptian
Dan Tastic History
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Anglo Saxon Workshop, Wow Day & School Visit Bring the Saxons to life in the classroom! An exciting display of historical artefacts, armour, weapons, shields, 1300 year old coins along with lots...
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Saxon sword, helmet and horn on a table
Saxon Sovereignty - A kingdom for a Nation
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Within our workshop selection we will take your pupils on a journey that explores the 800 year history of our Saxon heritage. From their arrival on these shores as settlers or invaders. We will...
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actor dressed as an anglo saxon in a school hall
The Anglo Saxons
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Topics could include: Who were the Anglo Saxons? Where were they from? Why did they come to Britain? What evidence do we have? Time line Immigration and settlement Daily life Food Clothing...
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school group making a fence from hazel sticks
Saxons & Vikings - Butser Ancient Farm
map pin London & South East

Take your pupils beyond the classroom and explore the Saxon ages. On your Saxons school trip explore our reconstructed Saxon buildings, uncover the past through archaeology and learn how people lived,...
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actors dressed as viking invaders
Vikings and Saxons
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Experience Saxon England, from the hierarchy and etiquette of the Lord's Hall, the language and the story of Beowulf, through to the burial of a Saxon king.We offer exciting, immersive and inspiring...
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Actor dressed as an anglo saxon
Anglo-Saxons
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Discover and deepen your knowledge of the Saxons using our workshop that incorporates drama, oracy, art, problem-solving and a big quiz to round off the day! Our costumed characters will transform...
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Actors dressed as Anglo Saxons in a church
Viking and Anglo-Saxon Workshop
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The Anglo-Saxons ruled in Britain for c.650 years. In that time, kingdoms like Northumbria, Mercia, Kent and Wessex rose and fell. The Anglo-Saxons brought with them their own distinct language,...
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Actor in medieval costume
Viking & Saxons Workshop: 878 The Battle of Eðandun
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If you choose a Saxon focus, the morning workshop focuses on making and role play. The pupils will be met by the Thegn or Lord of the village, who will guide them around the village. After a short...
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Peveril Castle
Peveril Castle
map pin East Midlands

Founded soon after 1066 by William Peveril and overlooking Hope Valley and Cave Dale, Peveril Castle is a fantastic and historically important site to explore on a free self-led school visit....
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Two school children learning at Lindisfarne Priory
Lindisfarne Priory
map pin North East

On a free education visit, you can lead your visit in your own way to fulfil your curriculum objectives. Explore the 12th century Priory ruins, from the cellars and kitchens in the West Range to the dramatic 'Rainbow Arch'.
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Cumulus Outdoors Curriculum Day Trips
map pin South West

Explore Saxon sites across the Isle of Purbeck though educational walks, historical talks and site visits. Visit Corfe Castle and learn about the Saxon history on this famous site, a perfect location for castle construction in defence of the area and protection of the surrounding inhabitants.
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school children holding relics in york
York City Overnight History Trip with Equity
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Our history school trips to York will offer your students the best opportunity to learn about the Anglo Saxons. Whether it's visiting famous locations across the city centre, discovering artefacts and...
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bridge to tintagel castle
Tintagel Castle
map pin South West

Between the 5th and 7th centuries, while the Anglo-Saxons created their kingdoms in south-east England, archaeological investigations have uncovered evidence of pottery, glass and building remains...
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Old Sarum
Old Sarum
map pin South West

Find out more about life in the Anglo-Saxon period through character Aelfred in the 'Hidden Now Heard' backpacks resource, and try making your own Saxon shield wall with the bookable Saxon shields and...
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viking school history workshop
Viking Workshops
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In this workshop we will meet 'Astrid' The Viking and travel back in time to Anglo Saxon Britain. Through role play, song and interactive drama games we will learn lots of key themes from this time period.
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school workshop with children dressed as medieval knights
1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield
map pin London & South East

Discover the story of Harold Godwinson, last Anglo Saxon king of England, and the events leading up to his defeat at the Battle of Hastings. Enhance learning with an expert-led Discovery Visit Workshop, and hear the story of 1066 from an Anglo-Saxon story-teller in CONQUEST TOUR AND TALES (KS2-3).
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Saxons & Vikings School Trips - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of Saxon/Viking learning trips for school groups?
Kids love the stories of battles, ships, and daring invaders! It is a fun way to bring history to life, and the curriculum on migration makes it even more relevant. Plus, the drama and adventure always get kids excited.

Saxon/Viking workshop or day visit?
We offer a good number of engaging workshops focused on Saxon and Viking daily life, and these generally cost between £150 and £400. If you prefer, you can visit archaeological sites like settlements. These are a great way to see history in context, in its original setting. The Saxons inhabited most of our country, and the Vikings lived in much of the north and east, so finding venues dedicated to this period of history is reasonably easy.

Are there any free Saxon/Viking options?
Absolutely! Many local museums offer free entry, and there are exciting Viking festivals you can attend without spending a penny. It’s a fantastic way to explore history without a big cost.

Our top 10 Saxons & Vikings school trips?

1. Jorvik Viking Centre, York
2. In-school Viking workshops
3. Sutton Hoo in Suffolk (Saxon history)
4. British Museum (great artifacts, and free!)
5. Lindisfarne (famous Viking raids)
6. Scottish Viking sites
7. Welsh Saxon forts
8. Manchester Museum
9. Local re-enactments
10. History festivals
They’re all really engaging and bring the past to life!

Saxon/Viking trips for SEND?
Museums can be very sensory-friendly with touch exhibits, and workshops often include costumes and storytelling. We’ve found that using stories helps plan activities that suit different energy levels and needs.

Budget for Saxon/Viking?
Many options are budget-friendly. Free museums plus bus travel can cost around £3-£10 per child. Entry to centres is typically £5-£15, workshops range from £150 to £400, and residential trips are about £120-£250 per child. It’s a great low-cost way to explore this period of history!

Saxon School Trips and Viking School Workshops

We have a lot of ideas for day trips and workshops on the themes of the Saxons and Vikings. So if you are looking for ideas about how you can bring history to life for your class, prepare to experience Viking Britain through characters like Sweyn Forkbeard or the Saxon legacy of Alfred the Great! Explore the resources above or let us know what you need and we will find you the perfect learning experience.

Living history reenactment workshops allow students to participate in role play of daily life, battles, and social structures. For example, children might dress up as Vikings or Saxons, handle replica artefacts, learn ancient craftsmanship techniques such as spinning wool, making runes, or engage in activities like weaving, jewellery making, participating in mock battles or even working as a team to construct a Viking long house! These interactive sessions will give your class a deeper understanding of Viking customs and warfare, or Saxon societal hierarchy, through active involvement and storytelling. Handling artefacts and creating items like Saxon pottery, Viking weapons, or jewellery provide tactile connections to the past, helping pupils appreciate the skills and daily lives of both societies.

Just as it was for the people who lived in Viking and Saxon times, storytelling, mythology, and cultural exploration are a fantastic way to learn about the past. We have lots of school workshops where pupils can listen to myths of gods like Thor or Odin, or legends like Beowulf, which reveal the spiritual beliefs and values of these ancient people. Creative activities, such as myth-writing of epic tales, link to literacy and creative learning, making complex mythologies and religious practices more engaging and understandable. These stories offer insight into the worldview and cultural identity of Saxon and Viking people.

Another way to enhance your educational experience is by taking advantage of modern technology through virtual reality and multimedia tools. Virtual tours of Viking ships, settlements, and battle scenes allow students to explore these societies in a new immersive way. For Saxons, virtual reconstructions of settlements and hillforts help students understand their architecture and defensive strategies. Making use of digital tools ensures that different learning styles are catered to, and that your historical topic is more memorable for your students.

Finally, a day trip or field trip to historic sites or museums bring your children fact to face with the Vikings and Saxons. Visits to places like York's Jorvik Viking Centre, historic sites like Peveril Castle, Corfe Castle, or any of the excellent local Saxon sites managed by English Heritage give your students the opportunity to observe reconstructed settlements, artefacts, and even live demonstrations. Guided tours led by costumed actors or experts help pupils understand how these societies lived, traded, and fought. Linking classroom learning with real-world Viking archaeology and Saxon history.

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