Anglo-Saxons & Vikings
Travel back in time for a school trip like no other
Experience the Early Middle Ages brought to life with hands-on school trips in the Hampshire countryside! Guided by a dedicated member of our award-winning education team, on our all-inclusive trips you’ll explore our reconstructed Anglo-Saxon long-halls, and get hands-on with guided archaeology and crafts workshops, early medieval experiences, and more!
Our immersive school trips directly support the National Curriculum and use practical, enquiry-based learning to promote creativity, independence, and teamwork. Suitable for KS1, KS2, KS3, and KS4 learners!
Your Anglo-Saxon & Viking Trip
Discover the ancient past and step into our reconstructed Anglo-Saxon halls and gardens
Get an expert guide for your day with a dedicated member of our education team
Hear all about the early medieval period and the Anglo-Saxon and Viking migrations with an introductory talk
Get hands-on with four half-hour workshops of your choice, from digging up artefacts to learning to light a campfire
Practice maths and independence with a visit to our pocket money gift shop (subject to availability)
Prices from £12.65 +VAT per student. See all pricing info 🡒
Anglo-Saxon & Viking School Workshops
Bring the past to life with four hands-on workshops — all included in your trip’s price. Each workshop is led by a member of our education team and lasts approx. 30 minutes. Choose one Archaeology workshop, one Creative workshop, one Teambuilding workshop or Experience, and one workshop from any group.
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Experience field archaeology with our hands-on demonstration archaeological pits. You’ll learn basic excavation methods and have a chance to excavate for finds, uncovering hidden objects and using deduction to place your discoveries in an archaeological context.
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Discover the past through objects with a range of Stone Age items representing a diversity of materials and manufacturing techniques. You’ll handle items and discuss as a group how they were made and used, and why they were important to people.
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Discover how archaeologists make sense of their findings! Work as a team to decipher a real excavation plan, complete with artefacts and coordinates, and use logic and communication to build up a picture of life in the past.
Recommended for older students (Years 5+)
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Discover ancient rock art and make your own! Use a flint tool and foraged resources to carve and colour ancient designs into a piece of chalk. You’ll learn about ancient beliefs, art, and symbolism, as well as local geology and safe use of natural materials to explore creativity.
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Create your own ancient-inspired jewellery! You’ll learn all about the importance of jewellery as a status symbol in the ancient world, how it was made, and why it was worn, before using metal wire and pliers to create your own to take home.
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Get hands-on preparing and using materials from the ground to design, create, and decorate a piece of pottery. You’ll learn about local geology and where clay comes from, and about the importance of pottery in human development, vital for storage, transport, and cooking, as well as in early human art.
Available April to October
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Discover the runic alphabet used for engravings, carvings, and symbols, and strengthen your sewing skills at the same time! Learn how runes differ from our modern alphabet and sew your own basic runic charm.
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Learn all about textiles and early clothes production! You’ll see how to turn raw fleece from our rare sheep into workable fibres, and practice hand-eye coordination with a drop spindle to create your own small piece of yarn.
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Discover the techniques used to create Medieval illuminated manuscripts! Create your own ink with the same recipe used by Medieval monks, craft a quill or reed pen, and have a go writing your own scroll to take home.
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Learn how to make prehistoric concrete and help us construct a section of wall! Work as a team to make clunch from scratch, and discover how local geology and natural materials can create a strong and durable building material used for thousands of years.
Available April to October
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Discover the mysteries of fire! Crucial for cooking, warmth, and metalworking, learning to harness fire was one of early humanity’s greatest achievements. You’ll discover how to safely create a flame, and work in teams to produce your own.
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Master a building block of ancient construction! Work as a team and learn to use hazel rods to weave a wooden fence. You’ll discover the properties of different woods and the ways ancient people worked sustainably with their environment.
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Step into the early medieval period and explore our reconstructed Anglo-Saxon mead halls! Based on real UK archaeology just a stone’s throw from Butser, these buildings offer a unique insight into the history of the local area. You’ll experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the ancient past on this guided tour with our educators.
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How did our ancestors keep warm without modern heating? Work as a team to experiment with our store of historic clothing and materials and discover the warming properties of different textiles. Can you create the cosiest bed?
Available November to March
Studying a different era? See our trips for the Stone Age to Iron Age, Romans, or create your own!
Visiting the Gift Shop
Hassle-free and organised by our staff
Takes just 15 minutes and doesn’t affect teaching time
Promotes confidence, maths, decision-making
Gives experience of real-world interactions with strangers
Good-quality historical trinkets relevant to your topic
All for pocket-money prices and under £5
Option to pre-select goody bags ready to pick up on the day