English Heritage is to be applauded for the development of the Discovery Visits, which interpret the story of the site and give a sense of time and place to visiting schools.
Discovery Visit leaders say:
‘It’s feelings and experiences that are important. Through them, the true story of a place can be brought alive’
‘Re-enactment is a brilliant way to teach. It engages children who then become interested and start listening to what you say’
History of the Castle
With 1700 years of history, Portchester Castle covers everything from the Romans, to medieval kings, all the way to the Napoleonic Wars. Follow in their footsteps and explore its exciting and varied history.
CURRICULUM LINKS
Portchester Castle covers multiple time periods within the history curriculum, as well as cross-curricular links across numerous subjects.
- KS1 History: Identify similarities and differences between ways of life in different time periods; significant historical events, people and places in their own locality
- KS2 History: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain. Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons and Scots. A study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends the pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066
- KS2-3 History: A local history study
- KS3 History: The development of church, state and society in Medieval Britain 1066-1509. Ideas, political power, industry & empire: Britain 1745-1901: the French Revolutionary wars & Napoloeonic wars
EXPERT-LED DISCOVERY VISITS
Immerse your class in the history of Portchester Castle. Our costumed re-enactors will lead your pupils on a hands-on Discovery Visit. Pupils will dress up, handle replica objects and get involved with fun educational activties. At just £100 per session, they’re a great way to delve deeper into the history of the castle and the people who lived there.
FREE SELF-LED VISITS
Enjoy a free self-led visit to Portchester Castle and design your own day to suit your curriculum needs. Walk within the Roman walls, explore the ruins of Richard II’s Palace and stand at the top of the Great Tower to survey the landscape. Discover the more recent history of the castle as a prison during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, when it housed up to 8,000 prisoners at any one time, including black and mixed race prisoners from the Caribbean. Download our resources at the bottom of this page for historical information and activity suggestions to support your visit.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip.
We also offer free planning visits for group leaders once you have made a booking. Our Education Booking Team is on hand to advise and help you create the best possible school trip to suit your needs and area of study.
