Muncaster offers learning opportunities for a range of age groups, from children and young adults to Volunteers
Learning opportunities at Muncaster Castle and Hawk & Owl Centre
Set in many acres of woodland, Himalayan and Japanese Gardens, and along with the Hawk & Owl Centre, historic Muncaster offers a stimulating variety of learning environments. We can provide educational workshops to suit your pupils' requirements, from early learners, Key Stages 1 to 5 or adult learners. All of our workshops can be adapted to suit your requirements.
Whether you are coming to Muncaster Castle for a self-led visit or joining us for a workshop led by our staff, our Education Officer can work with you to create a bespoke, fun-packed itinerary for you and your group that suits your individual requirements and is exciting, educational and entertaining.
To discuss the options and find out more, please email experiences@muncaster.co.uk
Educational Visits
Whether you plan to use our venue independently for a self-led visit, or if you would like to participate in one of our Educational Workshops and hear exciting tales from the historic Pennington family, hunt for minibeasts in the gardens and ponds, or have a close encounter with an owl, we can assist with tailoring your visit to ensure you experience a fun-packed itinerary that ensures your group will learn that there is so much more to Muncaster than history alone. A minimum of 12 pupils are required for an Educational Visit group booking.
Educational Workshops are available all year round, with the addition of our Seasonal Workshops which are available throughout the Halloween and Christmas periods.
The Castle gardens, with their unique blend of native and exotic species in a wild woodland setting offer miles of paths, intriguing ponds full of life, lawned areas for play or picnic and peaceful corners, all perfect for a wide variety of nature-based activities. There are adventure playgrounds to burn off excess energy and younger children will enjoy experiencing life as a tiny meadow vole in the Meadowvole Maze.
Depending on your time constraints, why not include seeing one of our scheduled Hawk & Owl Centre displays in your itinerary? During the main season the World of Owls display is in the Old Rose Garden at 11.30am, and the Sky Hunters display on the Meadow is at 2pm. Each display lasts 30-40 minutes and is included in your entry price. Both the bird displays and the Hawk & Owl Centre itself offer ample information for groups to cover many areas of the national curriculum as well as being a great day out for children.
Educational Workshops for Schools
Educational Workshops on Offer at Muncaster Castle
These will be led by a member of Muncaster staff and will last up to one hour. From your initial enquiry our Education Officer will work with you to plan your visit around your chosen workshop to ensure you pack as much into your visit as possible and all your requirements are met. Depending on group size it may be necessary to split large groups up into smaller groups for some activities. Workshops will be largely cross curricular and can be aimed at any key stage, although specific links are highlighted within each description.
NATURE BASED WORKSHOPS
Nature Discovery Workshop – An interactive Muncaster wildlife safari suitable for all ages. You will be led along a trail of discovery as you explore the natural diversity of the wildlife habitats within the Muncaster Gardens. With strong links to the science curriculum, you will use nets to delve beneath the shimmering surface of our wildlife pond and take a seasonal look at the diverse and fascinating flora and fauna that surrounds you.
Land Art – Get outside and create art in nature. Use your imagination, be creative, get some fresh air and learn all about nature whilst enjoying the natural beauty of the Muncaster Gardens and Estate. Land Art activities can be tailor made to suit all key stages. The workshop is designed to link to the art and design curriculum.
CASTLE WORKSHOPS
Time Travelling Muncaster – A history workshop for all ages. Muncaster Castle has been a home to the Pennington family for 800 years. Discover how the Castle has evolved over the centuries and find out more about the family members that have lived within its walls.
Roman Muncaster – Through artifacts discovered recently and long ago, learn what the Romans were doing in this area and gain an insight into their lives. Pupils will also consider how and why exhibitions are created. The Roman Muncaster workshop is based in the castle itself, has close links to the history curriculum, and will be delivered by one of Muncaster’s experienced and knowledgeable curators to suit the ages and key stages of the visiting pupils.
HAWK AND OWL CENTRE WORKSHOP
Owl Encounter –Allow our Bird Team to share their majestic owls, expertise and knowledge with your group as you enjoy a close up encounter with some the Muncaster Hawk and Owl Centre owls, before spending time studying feathers and dissecting owl pellets during a hands-on discovery session. This workshop links to the science curriculum and is suitable for all ages.
Please contact experiences@muncaster.co.uk for additional information.
Self Led Visits for Schools
2024 School Booking and Prices
Home Educators
EDUCATIONAL VISIT BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES:
Please call us on 01229 717614 or email experiences@muncaster.co.uk to enquire about an educational visit to Muncaster Castle.
