Essential Information and Downloads
What is a typical visit to Newcastle Castle like?
Visits to Newcastle Castle can be booked as a full day visit (10am - 2pm) or a half day visit (10am - 12pm or 12pm - 2pm). The times can be varied as long as they are within our opening hours (10am - 5pm). A full day visit would usually consist of a guided tour of the Castle site and the Keep for half a day, and then one of our range of workshops for the other half a day. Workshops usually take place indoors in the Harbottle Suite in the Black Gate. On a full day visit you would normally have a half hour lunch break in between each session, also in the Harbottle Suite. A half day visit can either be a guided tour or a workshop, but if you’re only visiting for half a day we would usually deliver the workshop in the Castle Keep so that you don’t miss out! Guided tours can be tailored for any age group. Take a look on the specific learning pages for your Key Stage for a list of appropriate workshops. We can accommodate a maximum of two groups (up to 60 pupils) on a single day
How do I book a visit?
To book a visit to Newcastle Castle for your group or class, contact our Learning Officer, either by email (learning@newcastlecastle.co.uk) or by telephone (0191 230 6300). To make life easy, please have the following information to hand when you book your visit:
The name and full address of the school or organisation you are booking for
Your name, or the name of an appropriate contact along with a telephone number and email address
Your preferred date(s) for your visit
The number of people in your group, and their age group and key stage (where applicable)
Which workshop you require (if any)
Whether you require indoor lunch space
Any access requirements or special needs
Once you’ve completed a booking with us you will receive an email with a confirmation letter containing all the details of your visit along with a teacher’s pack that contains information about the castle and activities that will be useful for preparatory lessons, and a hazard ID document to assist you with completing your risk assessment.
How much does a visit cost?
Half Day Visit (Tour or workshop) - £3.50 per pupil
Full Day Visit (Tour and workshop) - £7 per pupil
Self-led visit (Entry to castle only) - £2.50 per pupil
Universities and Colleges (Guided tour included) - £7 per person
We invoice after the visit for the number of pupils in attendance on the day. All adults accompanying school groups are free.
How do I pay for my visit?
Ordinarily we would ask you to confirm the final number of people in your group on the day of your visit, and then would send an invoice to your organisation shortly afterwards, to be paid within 28 days. The invoice will come from “The Heart of the City Partnership” which is the name of the charity that runs Newcastle Castle. Please provide us with a purchase order number at the time of your booking if this is a requirement for your organisation. Other forms of payment are available, you can pay by card, cash or cheque on the day of your visit. Please make any cheques out to “The Heart of the City Partnership”. Unfortunately we cannot accept payment by credit or debit card over the phone.
Can we park at the Castle?
We don’t have coach parking facilities at the Castle, but you can drop off either at the bus stop on St Nicholas Street just in front of the Black Gate, or on the road between the Castle Keep and the Vermont Hotel car park. We have a small private staff car park which can fit a single mini bus, but you will need to let us know at the time of booking if you will need to use this to allow us to make space.
What should we do when we arrive?
When you and your group arrive, come to the area underneath the arch of the Black Gate and you will be met there by a member of Newcastle Castle’s Learning Team. They will be wearing a name badge so you will know who they are. They will introduce themselves and then take your group inside to drop off their bags and begin your visit. If you have come for a self-led visit, the group leader should go to the reception area on the first floor of the Black Gate and make themselves known to the member of staff on duty there, and let them know that their group has arrived and is beginning their visit.
Are there toilets on site?
There are toilets in the Black Gate in the reception area on the first floor, and in the Harbottle Suite where workshops take place and groups have their lunch. However, the Castle Keep has no toilets, so for a group doing a guided tour toilets will not be accessible after we set off - please ensure children have been to the toilet before their visit if possible! On each of the floors one of the toilets is an accessible toilet.
Can we visit the gift shop?
Newcastle Castle has a gift shop in the reception area on the first floor of the Black Gate, but it is quite a small area. If you intend to visit the gift shop please let us know in advance so that we can inform the shop staff. The best time to visit the shop is during your lunch break in small groups of no more than 10 at a time.
What if I need to cancel my visit?
If you have to cancel your visit for any reason, we ask that you get in touch with us as soon as possible. We have a high demand for school bookings particularly, and the sooner we know about any cancellations the more likely we are to be able to offer the date to another group. We do not charge a cancellation fee for school bookings as we take payment after the visit. If you would like to book an alternative date, please just mention this when you contact us to cancel and we’ll do our best to accommodate you!
Is there a risk assessment?
It is the responsibility of the group leader to complete a risk assessment for this trip, which means that we cannot provide this for you. However, we do provide a Hazard ID document which identifies many of the common hazards at Newcastle Castle and during our activities, as well as identifying our controls and suggesting what you can do to minimise risks. Please note that at all times the behaviour and conduct of the group remains the responsibility of the group leader.
Can I make a preliminary visit?
We encourage all teachers who book a school visit to Newcastle Castle to undertake a preliminary visit in order to familiarise themselves with the site. You can come to Newcastle Castle at any time during our normal opening hours, and should go to the reception area in the Black Gate. If you tell the member of staff on duty that you are a teacher undertaking a preliminary visit, and tell them the name of the school or organisation and date of your booking, they will print you a complimentary entry ticket. You are welcome to bring friends or family with you, but only you would get free entry. We suggest that you bring the Hazard ID document with you as this will greatly help you with completing your risk assessment.
I have another question!
If your question isn’t answered here and you still need help, just get in touch with our Learning Officer - learning@newcastlecastle.co.uk or 0191 230 6300