Burghley

Arts and Learning - School Visits - Educational Themes

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Quill writing
Quill writing
One of the three fountains
One of the three fountains

‘TUDOR TALES’ - Life in a Large Tudor House’ K.S. 1 & 2 - Full or Half Day Visits

Burghley is one of the country’s largest and finest Elizabethan houses and while the interior was ‘modernized’ in the 17th century a great deal of information about life in a Tudor mansion house remains.

Our ‘Tudor Tales’ provides an insight into the daily life of a large house. Explore the workings of the Great Tudor Kitchen and experience the formality of a Tudor Banquet - learn about Elizabethan language, create your own Tudor documents – the nicties of Tudor Medicine or Tudor music and other activities. Why not make your visit in period costume to experience a more realistic sense of life as a Tudor?

THE BURGHLEY ‘SAFARI’ Foundation Stage & Year 1

Take your children on a ‘Safari’ and discover the many animals that ‘live’ in the works of art and decoration at Burghley House. What are the ‘upside-downy’ birds? Why is ‘Scrap’ unhappy - can you and your children help? With accompanying rhymes, pictures, poems and stories this is an enjoyable and accessible way for young children to explore the house and its contents.

LOOKING AT THE PAST THROUGH THE EYES OF TODAY K.S. 1

What was it like to live in a large house in the past? How did they manage without electricity, central heating or running water? Such a large house provides a contrast with their current homes, but would your children have preferred to live here in the past or as they live today?

THE STORY BEHIND THE FACE K.S. 2 & 3

Portraits are our ‘photographs’ of the past, we can use them to look back in time. What do they reveal about the people they represent? What clues do they hold and how can we interpret them?

BURGHLEY’S ‘SECRET ARMY’ K.S. 1 & 2

- Full or Half Day Visits

In Victorian times Burghley held a large domestic household to ensure routines in the house ran smoothly. What were the daily tasks they performed? How hard was the life for the ‘Tweenies’? Educated at home, what lessons did the Governess teach the young masters and mistresses of the house?

Handle objects from the period; hear about the visit of Queen Victoria & Prince Albert & examine some of the costs! Enjoy a production at a Victorian ‘Toy Theatre’ & learn how to make your own! Create a Victorian-style letter, amongst other practical activities.

Arrived dressed in the style of the period to enhance your visit.

‘WHAT DO YOU THINK?’ K.S. 1, 2 & 3

Using Burghley’s fascinating, exciting and unique architecture, rooms, artwork, objects and historical figures we look to inspire & encourage a variety of opportunities and styles for writing and discussion.

ACCESSIBILITY

At Burghley House our educational provision is intended to be inclusive for all, regardless of differences in gender, ability, disability, age, social background, culture or race. OUTREACH VISITS TO SCHOOLS Bringing Burghley to you is now a possibility. Our Director of Education is available to present materials relating to Burghley House to staff & classes of pupils in your school. This facility can be used to support a planned visit to Burghley or as an independent learning opportunity. Please ask for details.