School trip to Worcestershire County Museum
A visit to the Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury is a step back in time for learners of all ages. Through role-play and immersive learning, pupils can discover over 1000 years of history in this castle location and intriguing stories of Worcestershire’s past.
Whether it’s a lesson with the school teacher in the Victorian Schoolroom, or meeting the servants in the Scullery, children will find out first-hand what life was really like in historic Worcestershire. From costume to caravans, travel to toys there is something for all ages to explore.
Schools Activities at The County Museum
They offer the following topics for schools.
Please bear in mind that these sessions are guidelines but can be adapted to suit your pupils’ ages and SEN requirements or to suit your educational programme.
- Victorian Schoolroom – Experience a typical school day in their Victorian schoolroom
- Below Stairs – Discover what life would have been like for the servants working in a large Victorian house
- Toys Through Time – A hands-on activity comparing toys today and toys in the past
- Classroom at War – An opportunity for children to experience a day in the life of a Wartime evacuee
- Make Do and Mend – Discover what life was like for children during World War Two
- Homes Long Ago – A hands-on activity comparing our homes today and homes in the past
- We’re going on a shapes hunt – a chance to explore the museum’s collection of historic Gypsy caravans
Bringing the Museum to You
If you aren’t able to get to the County Museum at Hartlebury for the day, you can still access the county collection through loans boxes or find out more about how they can create the experience of a Museum in Your Classroom.
The County Museum, housed in the north wing of the former home of the Bishops of Worcester, is a fascinating place to explore. In the museum galleries you can discover social history, toys through time, archaeology, and the intriguing story of Worcestershire’s past. Visitors can also see room sets such as the schoolroom and scullery, which are regularly brought to life by visiting schoolchildren.
Learn more about this fascinating county; explore the past through room sets and real historical objects and discover just what life was like for our ancestors. From costume to gypsy caravans and archaeology to toys, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. The venue was recently named a Visit England Hidden Gem, a national award for smaller attractions that offer a excellent visitor experience and memorable visits. Hartlebury Castle is accredited by the Visit England Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme (VAQAS) and has earned the VAQAS mark for the high standard of our museum and visitor experience.
Hartlebury is full of potential for learning and creativity. A visit can bring learning to life by providing sensory experiences of handling real objects, looking at genuine works of art and artefacts and exploring an historic building. All of their activities are led by experienced staff and support specific schemes of work whilst also helping pupils to make cross-curricular links between different subject areas. Following their visit, pupils could be encouraged to create a poster, a piece of artwork, design a museum leaflet or produce a piece of drama or poetry based on their experiences of Hartlebury. They could even create their own museum in their classroom!
Within the grounds of the Museum you can visit the Cider Mill and the Transport Gallery which houses a fascinating array of vehicles including a fire engine, hansom cab, bicycles, carts and a large collection of beautifully decorated Gypsy caravans.
The museum also hosts exciting events throughout the year and during school holidays.
Since 2018 visitors to the County Museum have been able to discover new areas of Hartlebury Castle. Following significant investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund your ticket now includes access to the Bishops Palace, the magnificent State Rooms and the Castle grounds.
Visitors can explore rooms in the Castle never before open to the public, promenade along the restored Long Gallery and marvel at talking portraits, follow in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth I, King George III and Queen Charlotte as you explore the historic grounds, and enjoy hands-on activities and unearth stories about the Castle and those that lived there.
Free preliminary visits for teachers are available (highly recommended).
Please inform them if any of your pupils have specific learning needs as they can tailor activities to suit your pupils.
We request a supervision ratio of 1 adult to every 10 children, 1 to 6 for very young children.
A timetable of your visit, including any special arrangements, will be sent to you prior to your visit.
Facilities and General Information
Toilets are available in the Museum Reception Building and in a separate block next to the main Museum. Disabled facilities can be found in both locations.
The museum building can be accessed by use of the lift or stairs.
There are two lunch rooms available for school use. One or both of these will be allocated to your group on booking, depending on the duration of your visit and size of your group.
There is both a museum cafe and shop on site. The shop contains a selection of gifts suitable for your pupils’ pockets.