Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument, John Wilkinson, the pioneering industrialist, built Penrhos Engine House in the late 18th Century, in order to house an engine to pump water from his coal mine on the site. It is thought to be the earliest surviving colliery engine house in Wales.
Key Stage 2 (8-11)
Key Stage 2 (8-11)
At Key Stage 2 pupils will begin to adopt a more sophisticated approach to the core and foundation subjects.
In History, the requirement to study topics such as the Anglo-Saxon and Scots invasions and the Viking and Roman occupations creates many opportunities for school trips to some of the most important historical sites in the world, and a great variety of brilliant museums. There will always be a venue close by!
History trips can also be used in KS2 to develop pupils' 'use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge', one of the aims of the KS2 Geography curriculum. Such activities could also be linked to the national curriculum requirement to 'take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team'.
But there are many other options for accessing imaginative and challenging activities from specialist providers. Some schools also like to organise short residential visits at for pupils at KS2 level to give classes a taster of new activities and team-working away from usual environments and families.
Suitable Venues
Set in the attractive planned village of Holt, Holt Castle is a ruin on the banks of the River Dee.
Interested in Walking? The Clywedog Trail is a great way to enjoy the open air, whilst discovering the industrial heritage of Wrexham and you don’t have to walk the full length of nine miles in one go – do it in easy stages!
The collection includes comprehensive family archives, a collection of old photographs, audio and video tapes, and material relating to local fishing. A room is dedicated to the Iron Age village at Bostadh.
Cradle of Christianity
The Royal Burgh of Whithorn has an important history which is immediately obvious from the medieval street layout. Even more significant is the hidden evidence of the early origins of a settlement on this site going back to the 5th century, Scotland’s first Christian community.
The Tolbooth Art Centre is based in Kirkcudbright's 17th century Tolbooth. This served previously as the Town Council offices, Burgh and Sheriff courts and the criminal and debtor's prison. One of its most famous prisoners was John Paul Jones, hero of the American Navy.
The Stonehaven Tolbooth is thought to have been founded by George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal (c. 1553–1623), with the original purpose of the rectangular building being to act as a storehouse during the construction of the nearby Dunnottar Castle. In 1600, an Act of Parliament provided that the building become a tolbooth.
The Stewartry Museum was founded in 1879. As the collections grew, the present purpose-built museum was opened in 1893. In recent years, the interior has been considerably upgraded whilst retaining its charm as a traditional late Victorian museum.
Newton Stewart is the gateway to the Galloway Hills and the Museum is an exciting place to visit in this fascinating region.
A fascinating journey through time takes visitors from the prehistoric period up to the era of nuclear fission. Displays include costume, First World War memorabilia, town regalia and a remarkable collection of paintings depicting Annan and the Solway shore. Look out for a 4,000 year old Bronze Age burial urn, mummified baby crocodiles and the 110 year old piece of chocolate!
Stranraer's historic Old Town Hall, built in 1776, is the home of Stranraer Museum.
Step inside and discover Wigtownshire's fascinating past. See one of Scotland's oldest ploughs, look at Victorian Wigtownshire in 3-D photographs and follow in the footsteps of Stranraer's own Polar explorers.
Discover Sanquhar's world famous knitting tradition and the story of the mines and miners of Sanquhar and Kirkconnel. What was it like to be a prisoner in Sanquhar jail? How did the ordinary people of Upper Nithsdale live and work in times past? All this and more can be found in the town's fine 18th century tolbooth.
Cross the fifteenth century Devorgilla Bridge to the Old Bridge House. Built in 1660 into the sandstone of the bridge itself, Dumfries' oldest house is now a museum of everyday life in the town. You can see the family kitchen, nursery and bedroom of a Victorian home, and pay a visit to an early dentist's surgery!
A Museum trail brings the story alive.
Something for Everyone...
There are four exhibition areas on the ground floor and an outside yard where you will see agricultural tools and exhibits relevant to Moffat's railway history.
A treasure house of the history of south west Scotland, Dumfries Museum is centered around the 18th century windmill which stands above the town. On the topmost floor of the museum is the Camera Obscura – this historic astronomical instrument gives fascinating panoramic views over the town and on clear days the range is many miles.
Based around the original control tower of the former RAF Dumfries, the museum is a fascinating collection of aircraft and memorabilia reaching back to the golden years of flight.
The group aims to promote awareness of the history of the Eastriggs and Gretna townships, and their importance with the 1st world war munitions factory HM Factory Gretna in turning the tide of war in the allies' favour.
A medieval tower house in the centre of Stranraer
Built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt, one of the most powerful families in Wigtownshire, over the centuries the Castle has been used as a home, a local court, a military garrison and a prison.
Videos and reconstructions are used to tell the story of:
This 18th-century Georgian house is the former home of Scottish painter E A Hornel, one of the Glasgow Boys.
Broughton House & Garden prefers to tour groups around the property and garden out of hours - for example before midday. Topics include 'An Edwardian home', 'Art styles at Broughton' and 'Local literature'.
Opened in 1901, the Dick Institute is one of the most important cultural venues in the south-west of Scotland, featuring the largest museum and galleries space in Ayrshire as well as East Ayrshire's central library.
The Scottish Maritime Museum boasts a range of Scotland’s rich maritime collection.
The collection not only includes historic vessels, shipbuilding machinery, machinery tools, small vessels, canoes and lifeboats, but also personal items of socio-historic interest.
The Baird Institute lies in the centre of the town of Cumnock and was opened in March 1891 to provide leisure facilities for local people and included a museum, billiard room and reading rooms.
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly unique encounter with Scotland's favourite poet.
The Royal Burgh of Ayr held the Rozelle lands as part of the Barony lands of Alloway until an auction in 1754 to reduce the Burgh debt brought sale of the lands to Robert Hamilton for £2,000. The Hamilton family made their fortune in the sugar and tobacco industries in the West Indies. The first mansion house was finished by 1760 and was in the classical style of Robert Adam.
North Ayrshire Heritage Centre shows the history of North Ayrshire with displays of archaeology, costume, transport, and popular culture. A photographic archive of the local area is available for reference.
Pages
Featured Provider
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.
Login/Sign Up
Latest News
Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.