Pupils dressed as Tudor Children on a Sheffield Manor Lodge School Trip

Immersive, hands on school sessions covering the Tudors, Castles and the Stone Age.

We are excited to be taking school bookings again for dates from 21st June onwards.

AQA GCSE Historic Environment Study

The Study of a Historic Site - Elizabethan England

We’ve three brand new sessions developed specifically for the AQA Historic Environment Site Study but that can be enjoyed by any KS4 groups. Our sessions enrich and expand students understanding of our rich Tudor story, including the captivity of the infamous Mary, Queen of Scots.

Imprisoned for 14 years in the care of George Talbot, Lord of Sheffield Manor Lodge, throughout this time there was plotting, pregnancy rumours and near bankruptcy which paved the way for Mary’s ultimate demise.

The Sessions

Meet the cast
Based in our grade II* listed Turret House discover the stories of Mary, Queen of Scots, George Talbot, and Bess of Hardwick from the people themselves.
Investigate how life was for each of them, their relevance, culture and ultimately how the imprisonment took its toll.

Plots and Intrigue
Explore the ruins and grounds in this exciting practical team challenge. Can you get past the guards, find the clues and ultimately decode Mary’s, Queen of Scots letter?
This ‘escape room’ style session will test the students teamwork and communication skills as well as introducing them to the Ridolfi Plot.

Geographical Relevance
Sheffield Manor Lodge now sits within the city of Sheffield, but what was the site like in the 1500’s? Explore maps and reconstructions to fully appreciate why this site was chosen for Mary, Queen of Scots imprisonment within the geographical and political landscape.

Prices and Booking

Pick two of our sessions for a half day or choose all three for a full day visit.
Two sessions £5.50 per pupil
Three sessions £7.50 per pupil
All adults free

If you would like to book or have any questions then please call us on 0114 276 2828 or email visit@greenestate.org

The Captive Queen in England Book

Find out exactly what happened to Mary, Queen of Scots in captivity, including her stay at Sheffield Manor Lodge, and how it culminated in the tragedy at Fotheringhay. This biography by David Templeman, Chair of the Friends of Sheffield Manor Lodge, was published to critical acclaim in Autumn 2016.

Buy the book

Turret House surrounded by Pictorial Meadows

KS1 Castles

Pupils have an interactive tour of the site, visiting the sweet smelling apothecary’s garden and even the oldest toilet in Sheffield before dressing up as a Prince and Princess as well as their servants. They will venture up the spiral staircase of the turret house to view a magnificent feast fit for royalty. Back at our Discovery Centre children will make lavender bags to ward away the nasty smells of castle life.

National Curriculum Link: significant historical events, people and places in your own locality

KS2 Tudor Health and Hygiene

How often did the Tudors bathe and what ailments did they think boiling pigeon droppings in milk would cure? Children will answer these questions and more in our session designed to look at why the Tudors were some of the smelliest people in history.

Pupils will uncover the mystery of the weird and wacky remedies Tudors used to cure illnesses and find out exactly why a visit to a Tudor Doctor was an unnerving experience, even getting the chance to get up close with a plague doctor by dressing up. They will get the chance to investigate herbs growing in the apothecary’s garden and finally make a sweet smelling pomander to disguise the horrible smells of Tudor England.

National Curriculum Links: a local history study and a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ knowledge beyond 1066

KS2 Tudor Rich and Poor

Pupils will discover the stark differences between the lives of a wealthy family and their servants in Tudor times by exploring the site, from the decorated banqueting room to Sheffield’s earliest toilet.

Children will have the opportunity to dress up in authentic children’s Tudor costumes, see the difficulties that Tudor Ladies faced in getting dressed and discover just how dirty the servants might have got! They will also explore inventories, creating their own with quill and ink and see how little Tudor peasants had to survive with. Finally children will make a replica Tudor coin purse.

National Curriculum Links: a local history study and a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ knowledge beyond 1066

KS2 and 3 Mary Queen of Scots on Trial

In this session pupils discover the story of the 14 year captivity of Mary Queen of Scots in Sheffield as well as the Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife, Bess of Hardwick. They will be able to explore the buildings in which she was kept including the Turret House, the only roofed building surviving in England that she would have known.

Pupils will gather evidence to decide whether they believe Mary to be innocent or guilty of the crimes charged against including code breaking messages from the infamous Anthony Babington. At the end of the day they will decide the fate of Mary, Queen of Scots.

KS2 National Curriculum Links: a local history study and a study of an aspect or theme in British history that extends pupils’ chronological knowledge beyond 1066

KS3 National Curriculum Link: a local history study, the development of church, state and society in Britain 1509-1745 and the Elizabethan religious settlement and conflict with Catholics

KS2 Become a Stone Age Hunter

Pupils will discover how people survived in the harsh stone age conditions. To eat they must learn tracking and hunting skills including making their own spear. They will see how this became easier as weapons developed into bows and arrows. Protection from the elements is vital so shelters from branches and furs will be built and they will try and start a fire using a bow and drill kit.

Imagine squeezing your way into a dark cave to find the perfect place to create a pictograph. Children will have a go at painting by candlelight with their own paint and feather brushes.

The hunters will finish by considering what stone circles were used for, before racing against each other to move the giant stones of Stone Henge across site on rollers.

KS2 National Curriculum Links: Changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age

KS1 - KS3 Booking and Prices

Castles and Tudor Sessions
£4.50 per child
3 1/2 hours including lunch and play

Two Tudor Sessions
£6 per child
4 1/2 hours including lunch and play

Stone Age Session
£5 per child
4 hours including lunch and play

To discuss any of our education sessions, arrange a pre trip visit or to book please contact our education officer by calling 0114 276 2828 ext 647 or via email: visit@greenestate.org

Please complete the section in the booking form with details of any pupils with special or additional needs and allergies. If you are a special needs school we can adapt sessions to your needs. Visit our accessibility page for information on disabled access and facilities.

The site and sessions have been assessed for their risks. Risk assessments will be sent out with all booking forms. All education staff are first aid trained and hold a DBS check.

If you would like to visit our shop please let us know on the booking form.

We may ask whether we are able to take photos during your visit.
We will never take photos of children or staff without authorisation.

Sheffield Manor Lodge

AQA GCSE Historic Environment Study

The Captive Queen in England Book

KS1 Castles

KS2 Tudor Health and Hygiene

KS2 Tudor Rich and Poor

KS2 and 3 Mary Queen of Scots on Trial

KS2 Become a Stone Age Hunter

KS1 - KS3 Booking and Prices

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