Schools & Groups
OPENING TIMES:
The Castle and Museum are open daily for school and registered group bookings from Sat 9th March 2024 until Fri 8th November 2024.
2024 Admission charges for schools & registered groups of 15 or more:
All prices include VAT @ 20% One adult free for every fifteen children with every pre-booked party.
Downloads
- Teachers Pack
- Primary Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Castle visit only
- Primary Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Museum visit only
- Primary Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Combined Castle and Museum visit
- KS3 Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Castle visit only
- KS3 Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Museum visit only
- KS3 Teachers example letter for parents and carers – Combined Castle and Museum visit
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 1 – Questions
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 1 – Answers
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 2 – Questions
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 2- Answers
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 3 – Questions
- Castle Activity Sheet Key Stage 3 – Answers
- Museum KS1 Activity Sheet – Questions
- Museum KS1 Activity Sheet – Answers
- Museum KS3 Activity Sheet – Questions
- Museum KS3 Activity Sheet – Answers
Frequently Asked Questions for Schools & Groups
WHAT CAN WE SEE WHILE WE’RE THERE? Mountfitchet Castle is a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle and Village, re-constructed on its original historic ancient site, complete with many different buildings, siege weapons and animals roaming freely throughout the 10 acre site, providing a unique insight into community life in Domesday England. The House on the Hill Museum is located adjacent to the Castle and has the largest collection of Toys in the world, with at least 80,000 exhibits on display from late Victorian times up to 1990’s. How better to see the illustration of the social history of our times portrayed through toys, books, games, music, entertainment and family amusement. The museum also houses a WWI & WWII Blitz and Battle of Britain display and information, Showbiz Collection and a Rock ‘n’ Roll exhibition. Also included in the Museum site is our Dinosaur park where you can see life sized dinosaurs and try your hand at fossil hunting in our Palaeontology House, can you find the Velociraptors claw?
DO WE HAVE TO BOOK IN ADVANCE? Yes, all parties must pre-book, initially by telephone and then by confirmation either by filling in our form on the contact tab under School confirmation. Or by email: info@mountfitchetcastle.com Or letter to: Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted, Essex. CM24 8SP.
IS IT SUITABLE FOR ALL AGE GROUPS? Yes, both attractions are suitable for all age groups, from infants upwards.
Telephone
+44 (0)1279 813237
DO WE NEED A GUIDED TOUR? No, in the Castle all exhibits are clearly signed and as you enter each building, an informative commentary is activated by sensor. In the Museum, just follow the footsteps!
ARE THERE PARKING FACILITIES? Yes, there is a large Car and Coach Park serving the Castle. This is operated by the Council, and the current 2023 daily charge per coach is £6.00. Cars are charged approx £1.80 for a three hour stay.
EATING ARRANGEMENTS The Castle has a tea room which seats approximately 50 people, as well as an outdoor, covered picnic area which can accommodate approximately 120 people. The tea room sells a range of sandwiches, toasted baguettes, cakes, cookies, popcorn and ice cream, as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks. The Museum has an indoor seating area which can accommodate 25/30 people, which visiting groups are welcome to use to eat their sandwiches.
DO YOU HAVE ANY EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS? Updated activity sheets are available to download for both attractions, tailored to suit different age groups. For Students whose first language is not English, we offer basic information sheets about the history of this ancient, historic site. These are offered, free of charge, in ten different languages. Fully illustrated Souvenir Brochures are available at both sites. The brochures can be used as a guide to accompany your visit to the Castle.
DO YOU HAVE A SOUVENIR SHOP? Yes, Mountfitchet Castle visitor centre has a souvenir shop, offering a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs starting from as little as 50p. The Museum does not have a shop, but groups are more than welcome to use the one in the visitor centre which you pass through on your way to and from the Museum. Goody Bags are available from £4.50 – please telephone for details.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SEE EVERYTHING? This depends on the age of the children and whether they are completing Activity Sheets or sketching exhibits etc, but a good average time is 2 hours at the Castle and slightly less at the Museum. Many schools combine a visit to both the Castle and the Museum on the same day.
TEACHERS’ PRE-VISITS Teachers are welcome to visit the Castle and Museum prior to their school visit. We ask you to pay in the normal way, tell the reception staff you are a teacher and they will sign your ticket on the reverse. Then, on the day of the actual school visit, re-present the ticket and your money will be refunded in full. Alternatively, if you have received your confirmation of booking form, bring this along with you and you will be admitted free of charge. Maximum of two teachers allowed per school free of charge.
BOOKING CONDITIONS We expect that all visiting parties of children be adequately supervised. Booking is made initially by telephone and then by written confirmation within 2 weeks of the telephone call. Once a booking has been made as above, we expect the party to honour that booking.
IMPORTANT: All confirmed bookings are binding. Cancellation of a confirmed booking will be subject to the full amount due. We do not normally ask for a booking deposit, but require a cheque, credit card or cash in full payment on the day of the visit. A VAT invoice will be issued in return. However, where very large numbers are involved, a non-returnable deposit may be requested.
RISK ASSESSMENTS
Click here to download a PDF of our Risk Assessments.
KEEP IN TOUCH Let us have your email address and we will keep you up to date of our special events, news and shows. Mountfitchet Castle and the House on the Hill Museum are constantly updating their website with news, events and stories. In order to keep teachers and group leaders informed of our latest news and events we are compiling a confidential email database so that we can send out e-newsletters.
Email us at register@mountfitchetcastle.com to be included on the database.
