Learning
This section of the page features an image gallery, so if you're using a screen reader you may wish to jump to the main content.
-
Learning at Dunster Castle
Learning at Dunster Castle
At Dunster Castle and Gardens, we offer a variety of guided tours and self-led activities to excite and inspire you and your pupils on your school visit.
© Amanda Harman
-
Civil War tours
Civil War tours
Experience the siege and surrender of Dunster Castle during our English Civil War tours for school groups. You'll see our volunteer soldiers in full historic uniform. There's even a surgeon tending their 'bloody' wounds.
© Dave Wood
-
Victorian living history tours
Victorian living history tours
Find out what life was like 'below stairs' at Dunster Castle, during our special school group tours. You'll meet some of our authentically costumed servants including a housemaid, butler, cook, scullery maid and footman.
Children can take on the roles of trainee servants, wearing aprons and mop caps.
©
-
Dunster through history
Dunster through history
Embark on a history challenge in the gardens, discovering key features and the stories they reveal. Plan how to attack and defend the medieval castle in an exciting hands-on activity and explore the house to learn how the family used to live.
© Liz Summers
-
House tours
House tours
Fully trained volunteers lead guided tours of the house, enabling your pupils to compare how the family used to live with how we live now.
Or you can use a copy of our notes for teachers which enables you to lead your group around Dunster at your own pace rather than accompanied by one of our guides.
© Dave Wood
-
Trails and activities
Trails and activities
Trails and activities within the gardens encourage exploration and understanding of how the gardens have changed, from impenetrable defences to sub-tropical planting and pleasure grounds.
Or use the gardens to study a number curriculum subjects such as art and science.
© Amanda Harman
Learning at Dunster Castle
Civil War tours
Victorian living history tours
Dunster through history
House tours
Trails and activitiesSchool visits
Embrace a millenium of history on a learning day at Dunster.
We offer guided and teacher-led activities for all ages to excite, inspire and entertain. Follow Dunster's fortunes from a knight's fortress to a family home.
How to book
For more information or to make a booking, please contact our learning officer Liz Summers, or call 01643 823006.
For more pre-visit planning download our essential guide here.
Tailor-made tours
Don't see anything that meets your learning objectives?
Contact the learning officer to discuss your needs. Possible themes include ghost stories, events, bats, tourism, Saxons and Normans.
Facilities for hire
Explore Tenants Hall at Dunster Castle, Somerset
The Tenants Hall is available to hire for the duration of your visit as a place for lunches, to leave bags and undertake activities.
An additional charge is made for this space.
Picnic spots
You are welcome to picnic anywhere within the castle park and gardens, but please ensure that all litter is taken away with you at the end of your visit.