Educational Visits

In the South East, life is one big learning curve.  We’re surrounded by scientific marvels, nature’s miracles and history that's written into the landscape - you’ll find that some of the most important chapters in Britain’s past were played out here.

Let’s start at Windsor Castle, located in Windsor in Berkshire.  A visit will take you through almost one thousand years of history from the days of William the Conqueror to present times.  Dominating the town and surroundings, the Castle is the oldest, largest occupied castle in the world.  See if you can time your visit to witness the wonderful pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guard.

Henry VIII often stayed at the castle, and there’s a special exhibition to mark the 500th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.  Take the family audio tour.  It’s led by tutor Horace and his pupil Tommy who will introduce you to some magical characters who live at Windsor Castle, including Gilbert the Grotesque.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire is the home of the Duke of Marlborough, a reward from Queen Anne for his military successes.  It’s also famous as the birthplace of Winston Churchill, you can see the cosy room where he was born and an exhibition about his amazing achievements.  In Untold Story, a virtual ladies maid will tell you unknown stories, happy and sad, of life at Blenheim.

Take a lesson in history and science at the Royal Naval Submarine Museum in Hampshire.  Go onboard a real WW2 submarine, the HMS Alliance.  Tours are led by ex-submariners who really know what it was like to live and work in such cramped and dangerous conditions.  Learn the story of submarines from the early, experimental days to today’s nuclear-powered subs.

The Roald Dahl Museum in Buckinghamshire is as silly, entertaining and inspirational as all those lovely books.  Follow the story of his life and understand the experiences that shaped the man.  You can even dress-up in costumes, make up your own story or get all arty.  Children over five receive a story ideas book, just like Dahl’s, to scribble down their ideas.

Step into Victorian times at Dickens World in Kent - which recreates colourful settings from his books.  Learn about his literature while you have fun.  Take the Great Expectations Boat Ride, see the nasty school master in the Victorian School, walk the corridors of Marshalsea Prison and be scared by ghosts of novels past in the Haunted House.

Find out more about attractions & family holidays in England’s south east here