School and youth group visits

Engaging young minds

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Challenge little mindsand spark big ideas.

Holkham is blessed with space, as well as diverse habitats creating an abundance of opportunities to deliver hands-on, inspiring learning in a fun and safe environment. The team are keen to create bespoke packages for groups, to ensure each pupil has an invaluable experience.

Our programmes and activity days are designed with clear curriculum links, and we have a wide range of opportunities for children and young people. Take a look at the options below, call us on 01328 713112 or email us to arrange something bespoke.

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Our programmes

Our learning programmes have always been flexible and adaptable to meet your requirements however, we are committed to going that extra mile for you. Our environments make the perfect locations for a wellbeing based approach, focusing on teamwork, confidence and social-emotional mental health. We can help your pupils reconnect with nature and nurture them through experiential learning.

At Holkham, sustainability and conservation are at the heart of everything we do. We are currently working on a learning programme to reflect this, which will be offered to KS1, KS2 and KS3 students, as well as community groups.

Browse our Early Years and KS1, KS2 or Secondary and Sixth Form programmes below, or contact the team to discuss a bespoke visit. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and are happy to discuss any SEND, access or EAL requirements.

Primary Primary Secondary and sixth form Secondary and sixth form Uniformed youth groups Uniformed youth groups

Primary programmes

Our exciting primary programmes are suitable for EYFS to year 6, with content adapting to the age and needs of the pupils and their curriculum objectives.

Woodland camp

Enjoy a day in our secluded woodland including bush craft, campfire creation and den building.

Plants and flowers in the Walled Garden

Explore the seasons using senses, discover what plants need to grow and plant a seed to take home.

Outdoor adventurers

Choose from pond dipping, exploring, den building or a wildlife walk to explore the plants and animals which live here.

Seaside fun

Explore the shore of and get creative with your findings. Contrast this with the pinewoods habitat or learn about the history of Wells.

Food and farming

Food and farming – visit our Holkham Stories Experience and jump on a tractor tour to find out about our crops and livestock.

A day at Holkham Hall

Take a tour of this magnificent home, comparing past and present. Learn how toys have changed over time and make a traditional toy to take home.

Christmas magic

Join us on a sparkling tour of Holkham Hall and explore the elaborately decorated state rooms. Pupils may just meet a special someone along the way…
2023 dates: 5th, 6th, 7th, 12th and 14th December.

Active adventurers*

Develop confidence, teamwork and resilience in this action packed day! Pick two activities from our ropes course, cycling or woodland survivors! Our partners Norfolk Adventure will deliver this exciting day.
*Suitable for KS2 only

Wildlife encounters*

Head to the nature reserve and explore habitats, record wildlife using fieldwork skills, discover more about conservation and relax and get creative with natural sculpture.
*Suitable for KS2 only

‘It was a very successful day and the children really got a lot out of it. I have done follow up work with them today and it definitely had a lot of impact on their learning, so thank you very much indeed for all of your hard work.

We will be back soon!’

C Edgington

Secondary and sixth form programmes

Our programmes link with a range of subjects at KS3, GCSE and A Level:

Psammosere Succession – undertake practical fieldwork collecting both abiotic and biotic data of an example of Primary Succession along a transect from embryo dunes into the pine woodland. Data obtained can be used for independent investigations including statistical analysis

Biodiversity and Ecosystems – visit different areas of the estate to sample the biodiversity present. Freshwater sampling in the lake, wildflower meadows and hedgerows can all be visited and sampled providing examples of different fieldwork techniques and sampling methods

Woodland Ecology and Management – compare an area of managed woodland to an unmanaged area. Sample abiotic and biotic data to make calculations of populations and investigate the influence of a named environmental factor on species distribution

Coastal Processes and Management – discover the impact of coastal processes has on landscape at Wells and Holkham. Learn what Shoreline Management Plans are in place and at what cost. What does the future have in store?

Sand Dune Succession – undertake practical fieldwork collecting both abiotic and biotic data of an example of Primary Succession along a transect from embryo dunes into the pine woodland. Measurements include slope gradient, soil analysis, species diversity and abundance.

Conservation Management – with nearly a million visitors a year, how do we manage Holkham National Nature Reserve? Learn how higher level stewardship and tourism fund this unique work, protecting wildlife for future generations.

Business, Leisure and Tourism – tourism now accounts for over 70% of the estate’s income. Take a look at the operational side of the business, Holkham Enterprises, which hosts 200,000 visitors to the park each year. Marketing, catering, event management, customer service and retail are all key to this diversification success.

The art collection in the hall is internationally renowned with works being loaned to galleries, exhibitions and museums across the globe. Each of the staterooms features different textiles, tapestries, furniture and statues. Your students will have access to explore and interpret as they wish for project work or coursework. Holkham National Nature Reserve, deer park and Walled Garden all are excellent opportunities for landscape inspired work.

Holkham Stories Experience and Farmland Trailer Tour – learn more about food provenance, reared ingredients (beef, lamb and game) grown ingredients including key commodities (cereals, sugar beet and oilseed rape).

6-acre Walled Garden – visit our productive fruit and vegetable garden to discover first-hand food seasonality, classification and how we grow fresh produce which is used in the Victoria Inn at Holkham.

Catering Operations – meet some of our catering team and learn how our cafés operate. How do we develop menus, what suppliers do we use, how do we recruit, train and retain staff, what are GP and wage percentages and how do they influence how the business is run?

An ideal choice for Key Stage 3, our new ropes course will test teamwork, resilience, communication, and determination with wobbly crossings, swinging bridges and zip wires all in the treetops! We will get the most out of the day and jump on our bikes to explore the far corners of the Holkham estate, too.

This exciting day is delivered by our partners Norfolk Adventure at an additional cost. Participants must be over 1m tall, wearing closed shoes and long trousers.

Uniformed youth groups

Activities specifically designed for uniformed youth groups include:

Hop aboard our tractor trailer for a tour of Holkham Park and its landmarks. Look out for our herd of Fallow deer along the way! Learn about our gamekeepers and visit the Holkham Stories Experience to learn about the life of Thomas William Coke.

Visit our Walled Garden and learn all about plant-growing requirements and identifying common species. You’ll also design your dream garden, and pot a plant to take home!

Join in with games and quizzes to learn how to stay safe and comfortable when out and about. Create a compass and grab a map to explore Holkham Park, why not have a picnic along the way?

Learn skills for surviving with the bare essentials. By the end of the session, the young explorers will be able to demonstrate how to safely prepare and light a campfire, plus how to cook food over an open flame. Den building, tracking and other essential survival skills are also part of this activity day.

Learn about the natural world around you. Explore Holkham’s varied habitats and get closer to nature. Our experts can help you to identify species of plants and animals too.

Embark on a trail of discovery through the treetops on our ropes course and journey around the estate on two wheels! In the summer months, boat hire on the lake allows for exploration on the water too. Round off your day with team challenges to develop the skills to be a true adventurer!

*Additional charges apply for the ropes course, cycle and boat hire. Restrictions apply.

Useful information for teachers and group leaders

Holkham is two miles west of Wells-next-the-Sea on the main A149, within easy reach of Norwich on the A1067 and King’s Lynn on the A148. Brown tourist signs indicate the route from Fakenham following the B1105 and A149 road from Wells-next-the-Sea. The main entrance for the public, cars and small coaches to Holkham Park, the Hall and other attractions, is via the north gates of the estate in Park Road.

However, due to height and width restrictions (2.9m wide, 3.3m high), coaches should follow the designated route off the B1105 Fakenham to Wells road and enter Holkham Park via the automated south gates. Coach parking in Holkham Park is free of charge. Directions for coach access can be viewed here. If you require further help with planning your journey our Education Team will be happy to advise.

For visits to the National Nature Reserve, it is essential to pre-book. Access is via the A149 following brown tourist signs for the beach/Pinewoods Holiday Park. A drop-off point is available in Beach Road, Wells-next-the-Sea close to the reserve and beach. Coaches will be required to park using the facilities for coach parking in the main town of Wells-next-the-Sea.

Holkham reserves the right to make any changes required to your programme owing to any unforeseen or unavoidable cause.

The Educational Programme will be delivered in all weathers, only being cancelled or altered in exceptional circumstances due to health and safety concerns of those involved. Please note that activities operated by Norfolk Adventure are subject to additional safety constraints including electrical storms and/or thunder storms and continual wind over Beaufort scale 5 due to the nature and location of activities involved.

Where possible alternative activities will be delivered or an alternative date offered.

Numbers of participants attending on the day will be charged for.

If you cancel your visit with less than 4 weeks written notice you will be liable to pay 50% of the total cost of the visit as stated on your booking confirmation. Cancellations made in writing with over 4 weeks’ notice will not incur a charge.

Minimum charges may be flexible for SEN Schools or in other special circumstances. Education rates only apply during Norfolk County Council term times.

Holkham Hall is a lived-in family home and on rare occasions may be closed to the public at short notice.

Holkham’s Responsibilities

To communicate effectively with visiting group prior, during and after the visit
To ensure all Health & Safety legislation is adhered to including providing copies of relevant Risk Assessments and Policies on request, in advance of visit
To deliver professional, engaging educational sessions as agreed on booking
To ensure all equipment and resources are maintained and available for use by visiting groups where appropriate
To undertake dynamic risk assessments and make decisions regarding suitability of task in conjunction with visiting group staff
To review sessions and associated resources regularly taking into account feedback received
To maintain high standards of child protection amongst staff and volunteers

Visiting Groups Responsibilities

To ensure participants are appropriately attired for the weather conditions and activities
To supervise group at all times, particularly ‘down’ times such as lunch time
To set standards of behaviour expected and reinforce this where required
To provide first aid equipment, a trained first aider and appropriate child to adult ratios (we recommend a minimum of 1:10 for KS2 and 1:8 for KS1, with higher ratios for SEN students)
To be responsible for the welfare of participants at all times
To inform Holkham staff of any Special Educational Needs, access, medical conditions or additional requirements
To evacuate buildings if the fire alarm sounds & undertake a head count to ensure all members of the group are present
To provide constructive feedback on completion of visit

Participants Responsibilities

To show respect for the environment, its contents, other visitors and Holkham staff

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Get in touch to organise your visit.

If you’re planning a school or youth group visit to Holkham, or would like to know more, please complete the form below and we’ll get back to you soon.

We’d love to hear from you

Following your school or group visit, please complete the feedback form to help us make future visits even better.

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School and youth group visits

Engaging young minds

Challenge little mindsand spark big ideas.

Our programmes