School visits and learning with Souter Lighthouse

Explore Souter Lighthouse

Book a school visit to Souter Lighthouse and explore the first ever purpose-built electric lighthouse.

Pupils can climb the 76 steps to the top of the tower and visit Keeper’s Cottage to discover how a trainee lighthouse keeper lived in the 1950s. Inquiring minds can find out how the Engine Room provided power for the whole station and the foghorn too. And everyone can have some fun with hands-on activities in the exhibition.

Optional activity sessions

To make your school visit even more interactive, we can also arrange activity sessions. There are several options available including bug hunting, birdwatching and rock pooling (tide dependent).

The most popular activity gives children the opportunity to make their own working lighthouse to keep. We can provide pre-prepared kits (£3 each) with the option of a staff leader.

We'll be happy to work with you to tailor your visit according to your requirements wherever possible.

Availability

We ask that all school bookings are requested at least at least two weeks in advance so that we can make sure everything is prepared for your visit.

We can accommodate a maximum of 30 students, depending on the optional activity.

Digital workshop packs

If you’d prefer to learn about Souter Lighthouse in school, you can buy a digital workshop pack for your class. Pick from four topics based on the historic buildings, wildlife and coastline of Souter Lighthouse and The Leas:

• Build a working lighthouse

• Birdwatching

• Bug hunting

• Geology

The digital workshops are suitable for children aged 4–11 years (Key Stages 1 and 2). Each pack comes with a PowerPoint tour of the lighthouse, workshop slides and activity booklets.

Cost: £30 per workshop. You can also buy ‘build a lighthouse’ kits (additional £3 each).

We’ll send workshop packs by email and lighthouse kits can be collected from Souter Lighthouse by arrangement.

Get in touch about bringing a school group to Souter Lighthouse

For more information and to book your group visit (or to buy a workshop pack), email Ross Anderson ross.anderson@nationaltrust.org.uk

Education Group Membership (EGM)

Schools can benefit from an Educational Group Membership, which is an annual membership giving free access to the whole school group at National Trust places. For full details or to apply, email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk