Leeds Castle

What We Offer Visiting Schools:

We can provide educational sessions, workshops, talks, tours or written classroom resources to suit your pupils’ educational requirements, whether early learners, from Key Stages 1 to 5 or adult learners.

Themed educational workshops, self-guided visits and fun-packed itineraries ensure your school or group will learn that there is so much more to Leeds Castle than history on their school trip to Kent.

For those interested in tourism or marketing as a career, we can support you with your studies in Kent too. From the wonder of falconry displays to fascinating tales of Bugs, Boils and Spanish Queens, our aim is to bringing learning to life.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

Leeds Castle offers an engaging and memorable educational experience for students from Early Learners through Key Stages 1–5, as well as adult learners, combining hands-on workshops, interactive talks, and immersive activities across History, Drama, Art, Science, and Literacy. Our Education Centre spaces, complemented by playgrounds, picnic areas, and access to the Castle and its grounds, make learning both inspiring and enjoyable. Students can also enjoy standout experiences like Falconry displays and Meet the Owls sessions, while teachers and home educators benefit from downloadable guides, trails, and activity resources. With subsidised rates for local schools and a wide range of educational sessions available for all ages, Leeds Castle is the perfect place to bring learning to life.

Subjects and Topics Covered:

Drama, History, Art, Science, Environment, Leisure, Tourism & Marketing.

Tudors, Leeds Castle and Spanish Queens, Medieval Medicine, Medieval era, Castles: Form & Function, Bespoke Talks, The Swan Princess, History of Leeds Castle, Sybil the Cygnet, From Cave To Castle, A Walk on the Wild Side (interactive look at British plants, trees and animals, including birds), Henry VIII, Monarchy at Leeds Castle, the Victorians, Early Learners Storytime.

Accreditation and Awards:

Leeds Castle is proud to have been awarded the Sandford Award for Heritage Education. Awarded by the Heritage Education Trust, this is the quality mark for learning programmes of heritage sites and services in Kent and across the Home Counties. The head judge stated the following:

“This is a service which goes from strength to strength. The programme is varied and interesting with strong links to the National Curriculum and with clear aims and objectives.

It is firmly grounded in the Castle’s long and varied history and the workshops are delivered by knowledgeable and well-trained staff. There is a strong sense of cohesion in the Education Department with an atmosphere of cooperation and support.”

Group Sizes Catered For:

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops:

Leeds Castle offers a wide variety of themed workshops, talks, and hands-on activities for students from Early Learners through to Key Stage 5. Workshops cover topics such as History, Drama, Art, Science, and Literacy, and include interactive sessions like The Swan Princess, Sybil the Cygnet, From Cave to Castle, The Field of Cloth of Gold, and A Victorian Day/Christmas, allowing pupils to dress up, role-play, and explore life in different historical periods. Older students can take part in team challenges and curriculum-linked sessions such as King of the Castle, Artful Henry, or bespoke workshops tailored to their learning needs. Many workshops include self-guided tours of the Castle and gardens, and all sessions are designed to complement the National Curriculum and spark curiosity through engaging, hands-on learning.

In addition to workshops, Leeds Castle provides a range of learning resources for teachers and home educators, including downloadable guides, trails, activity sheets, and teacher notes to support pre- and post-visit learning. Pupils can also enjoy unique experiences such as Falconry displays, where they can watch birds of prey fly in a private arena and then meet the falconers to ask questions and learn about the birds up close. Leeds Castle also offers Meet the Owls sessions, giving pupils the rare opportunity to see and gently handle these magnificent birds.

Risk Assessment:

There is a Risk Advice within the Teachers Pack sent at the time of booking. We recommend you make a pre-visit to familiarise yourself with the site and to complete the RA you may require. To claim the free pre-visit please email education@leeds-castle.co.uk with the name of your school and the date of the booked visit. State the name(s) of teachers wishing to make the pre-visit and the date they wish to come.

Education Department Information:

If you would like to enquire or find out more about UK educational visits or workshops, then call us on 01622 767821 or email education@leeds-castle.co.uk

Pricing Information:

(Please see the pricing table above detailing the education rate.)

For general admission, we offer a discounted rate for learning groups, and this includes access to Leeds Castle, the gardens and grounds and attractions. Please note the education rate is a day rate and only available on weekdays during the term times followed by Kent schools.

For adult learners (18+) please contact the Groups dept by email at bookings@leeds-castle.co.uk

We also allow groups of less than 25 for workshops/talks but a minimum cost is applied; please enquire for details.

Facilities:

Leeds Castle’s education facilities are designed to provide a welcoming and engaging environment for school groups and educational visits. The estate features a dedicated Education Centre with flexible spaces for workshops, talks, and interactive sessions for groups of all sizes. These spaces are complemented by access to the Castle, its gardens, playgrounds, and picnic areas, allowing students to combine hands-on learning with outdoor exploration and recreation.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities:

All our workshops are adaptable for the needs of all users. If your group includes any person with additional needs, please include this information on the enquiry form so that we can ensure your visit is the best it can be.

Comprehensive information regarding the onsite facilities can be found on our Accessibility pages: https://leeds-castle.com/accessibility/

Opening Hours:

For school visits, the site is open Monday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm.

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