OPEN FOR EDUCATION: ENGLISH HERITAGE’S KEY LONDON SITES

Apsley House, Eltham Palace and Down House will be marking the arrival of Spring with a special offer for educational groups – not only can learning groups visit the properties free of charge, but in March, they will have exclusive access on Mondays and Fridays.

Throughout March, pre-booked learning groups – including scouts and WEA groups as well as schools and colleges – can visit the three historically important properties , along with 21 other sites around the country, on Mondays and Fridays, when the sites will be closed to the general public.

“Having a historic house or palace to yourself is a privilege that few people get to enjoy, but these extra days of opening exclusively for education groups can make that a real possibility,” comments English Heritage’s head of education and interpretation, Sandra Stancliffe. “Whether groups want to enjoy a self-guided tour as part of history studies, or use the site as the subject for art classes or drama workshops, they will be able to reserve a timeslot when they have exclusive use of some or all of the site – and best of all, it doesn’t cost a penny.”

Groups are required to pre-book visits at least 14 days in advance, and are recommended to use English Heritage’s dedicated education booking team on 0870 333 0606. The booking team also provides entry and pre-visit permits, information and internet links to a range of resources for ideas and inspiration ahead of visits, which will be emailed, free of charge, with the booking confirmation.

For more information, please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/education or call 0870 333 0606.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The full list of sites offering the exclusive opening for educational groups in March is as follows:

London
Apsley House
Eltham Palace
Down House

South East
Dover Castle, Kent   - very limited access to either medieval or WW2 site.
Battle Abbey, East Sussex
Portchester Castle, Hampshire
Lullingstone Roman Villa,Kent

CarisbrookeCastle,Isle of Wight(open on any week days by prior arrangement with Carisbrooke Castle Museum Trust Education Staff)

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

South West
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

East of England
Audley End, Essex
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Orford Castle, Suffolk

East Midlands
Peveril Castle, Derbyshire
Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

West Midlands
Wroxeter Roman City, Shropshire
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Yorkshire & Humber
Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire
Clifford’s Tower, York
Conisbrough Castle, South Yorkshire

North West
Beeston Castle, Cheshire
Carlisle Castle, Cumbria

North East
Housesteads Roman Fort, Northumberland

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Education)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk