Educational Visits for Schools

Highclere Castle is the home of the Earls of Carnarvon, the most famous being the present Earl's great grandfather who, with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.

In the basement of the Castle is a permanent exhibition of some of the earlier Egyptian finds of the 5th Earl. The present Earl of Carnarvon is offering the opportunity to Junior Schools to visit the Exhibition as part of their studies of Ancient Egypt under the National Curriculum. School visits should take no more than two and a half hours including lunch. On any one visit, the maximum number of children must be no more than 45. Schools wishing to bring more than 45 children will need to make more than one visit.

It is in the interest of the children that we keep individual groups to no more than 15 as neither the Exhibition nor the Hands-on room can comfortably accommodate larger numbers. Teachers who have not been here before are encouraged to make a preliminary visit by appointment. On arrival the children are divided into 3 groups (two groups if 30 children or under). Each group, accompanied by an experienced guide, visits in turn (for approximately 30 minutes at each venue) the following:

1. The Egyptian Exhibition - a small but comprehensive exhibition containing Egyptian artefacts brought back by the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter before 1922. There is also a display of memorabilia belonging to the 5th Earl plus the 7th Earl's collection of artefacts. No photography is allowed in the exhibition.

2. The "Hands On" room where children may dress up in replica Egyptian costume and jewellery, handle replica artefacts, draw, do stencils, read, build a pyramid, make a cartouche with their name in hieroglyphs etc. etc. Photography is encouraged in the "Hands On" room.

3. Weather permitting, a walk around the exterior of the house and to the Secret Garden. If it is raining we show a 30 minute video about Highclere and the finding of the tomb of Tutankhamun.

For schools wishing to eat a packed lunch during their visit to Highclere we are usually able to provide a room. During the summer months there is a picnic area. Souvenirs can be bought at the end of the tour if requested when booking.

The charge for the 2007/8 academic year is £4.50 + VAT per child with 1 adult to 10 children free. Additional adults £4.50 + VAT. Any child with special educational needs may have an accompanying adult at no extra charge. Minimum charge £60.00 + VAT. Payment may be made on the day or invoiced after the event. (Cheques should be made payable to “Highclere Enterprises LLP”). The Exhibition is available to schools Monday to Friday in term time (excluding July & August).

To book, please contact Margery Goldsmith on 01635 253210.

Site Name: Highclere Castle
Address: Highclere Castle, Newbury, RG20 9RN
Owner: The Earl of Carnarvon
Tel No: 01635 253210
Contact: Mrs Margery Goldsmith. mgoldsmith@highclerecastle.co.uk
Activities at Highclere Castle:

1. Looking around the Grounds of Highclere Castle
2. The Exhibition showing the artefacts from the 5th Earl of Carnarvon’s trips to Egypt
3. The 'Hands-on' Room.

HAZARD	RISK LEVEL	ACTION
Gravel path around the grounds	Low	Children to walk not run - supervised at all times
Crossing car park to gain access to toilets	Low	Remind children of safety awareness, green cross code, supervision at all times
Steps to “hands-on”room may be slippery/steeper than normal	Low	Pointed out to children before going into room
Possibly slippery floor in “hands-on”room if wearing high heeled shoes	Low	Children and staff to wear appropriate footwear
Exhibition small room that may get hot/fainting/claustrophobia	Low	Water provided. Children able to leave room whenever they need to. Member of teaching staff to accompany them
Monk’s Garden - sign warning not to touch plants as some are poisonous	Medium	Sign to be pointed out to children before entry - supervisions by all staff
Monk’s Garden - mossy path - slippery when wet	Low	Children warned to walk not run. Supervision by all adults
Photograph of skeleton of mummified body	Low	Pre-warn children