Themed workshops

The Swan Princess (KS1)

This workshop is appropriate for all levels of KS1. It is a fairy tale, told by the members of the Leeds Castle Education Team while your class dress up as the characters in the story and act it out at their own level. This workshop is ideal if you are studying Castles or have Turrets and Tiaras as a topic. The session takes approximately one hour and includes the opportunity for a class photo. If the numbers are less than 80 in one day, the workshop will include a guided tour of the Castle. The Education Leaders will liaise with the teachers to ensure the tour fits in with your studies. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying Fairy tales, Heroes and Heroines, Turrets & Tiaras, Castles, Drama, Stories.

Leeds Castle: A Potted History (KS1 & KS2)

This workshop is aimed at the higher end of KS 1 (year 2) and lower end of KS 2 (years 3 &4). Meet some of the previous owners of Leeds Castle in this literacy & drama workshop. Your class will dress up and re-enact important events in the castle’s history and learn about what life was like living here in the past. The session takes approximately one hour and includes the opportunity for a class photo. If the numbers are less than 80 in one day, the workshop will include a guided tour of the Castle. The Education Leaders will liaise with the teachers to ensure the tour fits in with your studies. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying Castles, People of the Past, Local History, Timelines & Chronology or Drama.

Sybil the Cygnet (KS1)

This workshop is aimed at all levels of KS1 including Year R. Sybil the Cygnet offers a unique blend of science and literacy. A short story is told by the by members of the Leeds Castle Education Team while the children who dress up as the characters in the story act it out at their own level. It includes an interactive discussion about animals and living things, and the children will see an Owl close up and learn all about his life. The session lasts approximately one hour and includes the opportunity for a class photo. If the numbers are less than 80 in one day, the workshop will include a guided tour of the Castle. The Education Leaders will liaise with the teachers to ensure the tour fits in with your studies. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying Animals, Living Things, Drama, Stories.

From Cave to Castle (KS2)

This workshop is written for all levels of KS2. Using costume and drama it is an interactive look at how people lived and humans developed from the Hunter Gatherer period, through the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, on to the Roman and Anglo Saxon eras. The session takes approximately one hour and includes the opportunity for a class photo. If the numbers are less than 80 in one day, the workshop will include a guided tour of the Castle. The Education Leaders will liaise with the teachers to ensure the tour fits in with your studies. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying Timelines & Chronology, History, Local History or Drama.

The Field of Cloth of Gold (KS1, KS2 & KS3)

This workshop is written for all levels of KS1, KS2 & KS3. An interactive Tudor workshop that focuses on Henry VIII’s trip to France and the Field of Cloth of Gold in 1520, including the significant event of Henry VIII’s stop at Leeds Castle. Using the two pictures painted at the time, and some modern technology to examine them closely, this workshop may also include the use of costumes if appropriate. The session takes approximately one hour and includes the opportunity for a class photo. If the numbers are less than 80 in one day, the workshop will include a guided tour of the Castle. The Education Leaders will liaise with the teachers to ensure the tour fits in with your studies. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying History, Local History, The Tudors, Rich and Poor, or People of the Past.

A Walk on the Wild Side (KS1 & Lower KS2)

This workshop involves an interactive look at British plants, trees and animals, including birds. An Owl will also be present for pupils to view. The class will learn how to make their own owls out of clay, which will be available to take home. They will also be given a Woodland Walk Trail to complete independently of the session. 

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if your are studying Art and Science.

The Artful Henry (KS2)

This workshop is aimed all levels of KS2 and lower end KS3 (year 7). The hour long session commences with an interactive role play with costumes, to look at the importance of portraiture in the Tudor period. It is followed by the creation of a clay roundel of a Tudor personage. Education Leaders guide the class through the different stages of the roundel creation, using pictures and examples projected onto a screen. An Art activity that uses non-toxic and safe materials, including air dry clay. 

Available on all weekdays. Includes a self-guided visit to the Castle. This workshop is suitable if you are studying History, Art, Portraiture, History of Art, The Tudors, People of the Past or Drama.

Monarchy & More (KS1 & KS2)

Monarchy & More focuses on the monarchy at Leeds Castle since 1066 and also looks to its future. The children will dress up and play the roles of kings, queens and other royal figures.

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying History, Drama and Literacy.

A Victorian Day (KS2)

Suitable for all levels of KS2. This is an interactive workshop designed for children to experience life in a Victorian schoolroom. Children are encouraged to come in costume but we have enough pinafores and waistcoats for those that require them. Children will learn the rules and behaviours expected of them at the time, and also perform an appropriate exercise. This workshop does not include guided tours of the castle, but you are welcome to self-guide.

Available on all weekdays. This workshop is suitable if you are studying History, The Victorians or People of the Past.

A Victorian Christmas (KS2)

Suitable for all levels of KS2. This is an interactive workshop designed for children to experience life in a Victorian schoolroom, whilst learning about seasonal customs and traditions. Children are encouraged to come in costume but we have enough pinafores and waistcoats for those that require them. Children will learn the rules and behaviours expected of them at the time and also be formally introduced to the Lord and/or lady of the House. This is a full day experience which includes Christmas stories after lunch. Includes a guided tour of the Castle and its Christmas decorations. 

Available in December only. Maximum of 40 per day.

King of the Castle (KS3)

A workshop designed to develop history skills, knowledge and understanding in a series of team challenges. Each session will include a Timeline Challenge, and the teacher will then choose 2 further team activities based on their studies, from a selection of subjects including Historical terms, Castles, Medieval Realms. Includes a self-guided visit of the Castle. 

Each session lasts approximately 1.5 hours Maximum of 25 per session and 2 sessions per day.

Early Learners Storytime (Nursery & Reception)

Using the Sybil the Cygnet story and narrated by Leeds castle Education leaders, the children will dress up as the characters and act out the story at their own level. Includes an interactive discussion about animals. This session lasts 30 – 40 minutes. We do not recommend guided tours for this age group, but you are free to take the children into the Castle yourself if you wish.

Christmas Workshop (KS1 & KS2)

This engaging workshop is perfect for KS1 and lower KS2 pupils. Running from late November through December, it offers an exciting blend of literacy and drama, with every child getting a chance to participate.

For groups of fewer than 80, the experience includes a guided tour of the castle, showcasing the festive decorations.

Available on weekdays, this workshop is ideal if your curriculum covers fairy tales, stories, drama, or Heroes and Heroines.