In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
Southend Planetarium offers visitors an unique experience and can seat around 20 people. There is a changing programme of talks about astronomy and the night sky throughout the year.
The Planetarium is situated on the first floor within Central Museum.
Southchurch Hall is a fascinating place to explore and unwind.
A short walk from Southend on Sea's busy seafront and High Street, the house, gardens and archaeology are a green oasis captured in time.
The Beecroft Art Gallery is now open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm. Come visit us in our new home in the old Central Library building on Victoria avenue, next to Central Museum.
Engaging Pupils with History and Science
The Museum of Early Medieval Northumbria at Jarrow. Looks at the life and times of the Venerable Bede (AD 673-735,) one of the greatest scholars of his age.
The Tower is an extraordinary building that stands today as the only surviving example of William Beckford’s great architectural achievements.
A beautiful museum in the small market town of Pickering.
Perfect for visiting when the sun's shining to enjoy the outdoor farm courtyard and riverside picnic area and just as great to spend time exploring our 27 themed rooms during the occasional Yorkshire rain shower.
The Museum was founded in 1976 and for twenty years occupied two rooms at the Quaker Hall, Beccles. In 1996 it moved to Leman House in Ballygate, Beccles where it can still be found. The collection has mainly been built up through donations and concentrates on objects and information related to Beccles and the surrounding area.
This Victorian jail was built by Hansom (famous for the Hansom Cab) in 1829. The gaol features the only original tread wheel in situ in Britain and a gibbet is still fixed to the outer wall.
This building is full of sad memories and secrets providing a fascinating insight into the world of the prisoner during the 1800s.
Step inside this charming old building to enjoy an exhibition of Beatrix Potter's original drawings and watercolours. This year we discover what it was like to go ‘On holiday with Beatrix Potter’ and how her unique travels inspired her wonderful stories.
The Beaney is an Art Museum and Library situated in the heart of the historic city of Canterbury. This fabulous new facility provides state of the art exhibition galleries, a brand new
Formerly the home of the Wright-Taylor family, Baysgarth House has been in public ownership since 1930. In 2004 Champ Ltd took over the management of the house including its buildings, museum, collections and archives. Baysgarth House Museum celebrates the lives of local people through permanent and temporary exhibitions and projects.
Set within the beautiful, originally Elizabethan, walled gardens of The Almonry, Battle Museum of Local History preserves and exhibits hundreds of fascinating artefacts from the town's past, including objects from prehistoric and Roman times to the world's oldest effigy of Guy Fawkes and items from the two World Wars.
Bath has played a vital role in the development of communications, and improving the British postal service. It can thus boast many "firsts" as you will discover when you visit this fascinating museum, which will illustrate how the postal service played a major part in linking areas of the world".
Schools
One of the most magnificent collections of musical instruments in the world with over 2,000 instruments from the Western orchestral music traditions from the renaissance, through the baroque, classical, romantic and up to modern times.
More than a thousand instruments are on display, by all the most important makers and from pre-eminent collectors.
Basing House has a Museum with rooms dedicated to everyday life in the Tudor period and the Civil War as it happened here at the site.
School Visits
Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland, was lovingly rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s. The house you see today is a re-creation and restoration of the 18th-century mansion. They restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings.
Whatever your memories of Britain’s railways you’ll be amazed at what you can see at Barrow Hill and its preserved Roundhouse.
Throughout each year the galas feature working steam and diesel locomotives, which are often joined by a variety of visiting steam and modern diesel locomotives off the main line.
This museum houses the agricultural and social history collections of Craigavon Museum. There are displays on domestic life in rural areas, blacksmithing, haymaking and local industries. The collections on display include the tools of a local blacksmith as well as items illustrating the area's links with the linen industry, apple growing and rose growing.
Climb to the top of this 1000 year old Norman Castle for stunning panoramic views across Sussex.
The adjoining Barbican House is home to the Museum of Sussex Archaeology and houses local collections from the Stone Age to medieval times. A mini-cinema tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to Victorian times.
Restored to its Edwardian glory, Bantock House is a hidden treasure set within 43 acres of parkland and surrounded by delightful formal gardens.
Banbury Museum is a great museum full of local interest with a range of activities for kids of all ages.
There are prize trails for all ages, plus Drawing for All, activity backpacks for 3 to 5 year olds and Craft Activities through the ArtCart.
Step back into Bakewells long and rich history. A 1 hr walk from the river Wye to the Old House led by knowledgable and enthusiastic guides. Discover hidden facts, myths and legends on this enlightening and entertaining tour.
Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery is a people’s Museum, where fascinating stories of the past are told about the town and district of Alnwick. A historic building in the town’s Castle Quarter, which was previously a church, provides a calm and beautiful setting in which to celebrate our distinctive heritage, hold exhibitions and host events.
Schools
For curious children, a medieval moated century manor house with a 19th century Catholic chapel, gardens, lakeside walk and nature trail. Tire them out first and there's enough for a couple of hours.
This atmospheric house dates from the 15th century and was the home of the Ferrers family for 500 years.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.