Nostell Priory
Address: Doncaster Road, Nostell, Nr Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 1QE
Tel: 01924 866833
The house of Nostell Priory was designed in the 18th century by James Paine and Robert Adams. The interiors are spectacular and include a collection of Chippendale furniture still in its original setting. As such an atmospheric place, it is particularly inspiring to students on creative writing courses.
Programmes are available for all ages, but the property is especially popular with students aged 16 and above for Art and Design, Media Studies, Tourism and English. Creative writing courses are a particular strength at Nostell Priory, led by our specialist Learning Officer.
Every good Gothic novel, from Dracula and Frankenstein to Phantom of the Opera, has an eerily splendid building in which to set the scene. Nostell Priory is offering its lavish state rooms and spooky cellars as inspiration for A-level students doing creative writing courses. Behind the scenes tours reveal parts of the house not normally seen by visitors – and there will be a few surprises along the way.
As well as looking at the Gothic genre and touring the property for inspiration, students also get a chance to start some writing of their own in these unique surroundings. Participants have developed some stunning writing as a result of their visits, that has then been developed further back at their school or college.
A-level students can also visit Nostell as part of their Media Studies course, using the house and parkland as the focus of a documentary or news feature.
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Belton House
Address: Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 2LS
Tel: 01476 592900
Belton House was completed in 1688 and is a fine Restoration country mansion with formal gardens and a magnificent landscape park. It also boasts a fantastic Adventure Playground.
Moondial
Moondial is a book written by Helen Cresswell about Belton House and is a popular teaching text for key stage two children. We have devised a trail that addresses how and why Helen wrote this novel. It tells of a young girl’s quest to release two characters from the past and the cruel world in which they live. Minty helps Tom, a Victorian kitchen boy, and Sarah, an 18th century girl with a birthmark covering one side of her face, to escape from the adults and children who taunt and hurt them. Minty travels back in time by visiting the Moondial at Belton in the dead of night.
Children love to see the real place where the book is set and hear what influenced the author.
House tour, activity room and costumes
A house tour that can be pitched at most year groups but which is especially suitable for key stage one and two pupils. We try to include elements the children are currently studying in school such as the Victorians or homes now and in the past. A visit to the activity room means that children can try on Victorian costumes, play with old-fashioned toys and guess what some of the unusual items are.
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