Living History Information
A unique and fantastic opportunity to explore a genuine historical site and learn about our heritage in a fun and practical way.
Human occupation at Tatton dates back to pre-historic times. The range of existing buildings and archaeological evidence left by earlier inhabitants enable us to run a series of Living History Days, involving role-play and 'hands-on' activities that transport children back through history from the Anglo-Saxon period through to the 1950s.
Please note that during the visit children will take part in three activities.
Living History Days
Living History at the Old Hall
Anglo-Saxon and the Viking Invasion
KS1 & 2 ● 12 Children per Group, Max 5 Groups
Available all year 10am to 2.30pm
In the 10th century AD, the Vikings were continuing their raids of the Anglo-Saxon people who had colonised England. The children will learn about these two groups of people: looking at their home life, religion, work, trade, food, language and geography. They will arrive just after a Viking raid has taken place and through activities such as threshing and winnowing, baking, pottery and runes, will see the effects this has on the Anglo-Saxon community.
Download the Anglo-Saxon and Viking Information Sheet
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Citizenship, Art & Design, Design & Technology, English
Teacher Feedback: Kingsmead School visited in May 2006, "A really super and relevant day"
New Tudor Living History*
KS1 & 2 12 children per group ● Max 5 groups
Available all year
This new programme is set at Tatton in the year 1536. Henry VIII is in the twenty-seventh year of his reign, and three years into his second marriage. But an unexpected twist of fate will see a sudden change in fortune for all associated with Queen Anne.
Your students will find themselves in the midst of intrigue as they assist the servants of the Brereton household in their efforts to unearth the truth which might save their master’s family. They will hear of disturbing events unfolding at Court; encounter desperate monks fleeing from Norton Priory, and decipher the charred fragments of a mysterious letter. One of your students may well be accused of a crime, for which their actual innocence can not protect them in these unstable times.
Current research has established an exciting connection between the Brereton family and the real events that shook the kingdom during the days of Anne Boleyn’s downfall. This programme enables students to explore the Henrician period as they engage in practical tasks necessary to the running of a Tudor household.
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Mathematics, Science, Citizenship, Art & Design, Design & Technology, English
*The programme formally known as Tudor Living History set in 1581, is still available but is now entitled Elizabethan Living History.
Medieval Realms
KS2 & 3 ● 12 Children per Group, Max 5 Groups
Available all year 10am to 2.30pm
In 1363, the Lord of the Manor is Sir Hugh Massey. He is only occasionally at Tatton and on the day of your visit he is away tending to his estates in South Lancashire. You will be joining Sir Hugh's servants as they prepare for his return. Activities can include making rush-lights and corn dollies, obtaining flour for baking, archery and inspecting the deer herd (as poaching is rife). There is also the option to sample the traditional entertainment through a Mummers Play or Medieval Music. Once the work is done, all the villagers will be summoned to attend the Manor Court where a boy is being tried for poaching rabbits.
Download the Medieval Realms Information Sheet
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Citizenship, Art & Design, Music, Design & Technology, English
KS1 & 2 ● 12 Children per Group, Max 5 Groups
Available all year 10am to 2.30pm
Your visit takes place in 1581 during the reign of Elizabeth I, Henry VIII’s daughter. Tatton is the home of Sir Richard and Lady Dorothy Brereton who are currently away settling a family crisis. The children are travellers looking for the Manor’s hospitality and will become involved in the work of the village - wool has to be spun and woven, wattle and daub panels in timber frame buildings repaired and the year’s harvest threshed and winnowed. During your visit, a long lost friend will return with news of Tudor adventure and mystery, bringing the intrigues of court-life with them to Tatton.
Download the Tudor Information Sheet
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Mathematics, Geography, Science, Citizenship, Art & Design, Design & Technology, English
Teacher Feedback: Kingsley St. John CE Aided PS visited Tatton Park in October 2006
“I was absolutely delighted with the visit…I would have no hesitation in recommending this visit to other schools and you can be sure that we will be visiting you again in the future. Thank you for an inspiring and fun day.”
S Hill (Class teacher)
Living History at the Mansion
In 1887, the Prince and Princess of Wales honour Tatton with a visit. To help with the preparations, your children will be recruited as extra servants and given the names of those who actually worked at Tatton in the 19th century. Before getting down to work, new servants are given strict instructions by the butler or housekeeper regarding their behaviour and social status of the time. The servants’ will be involved in the day to day running of the mansion - polishing, making beds, baking scones, scrubbing floors or laying tables. New servants are also taken around the mansion so they can see how much work there is to be done and what life was like living in a grand house.
Download the Victorian Servants Information Sheet
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Mathematics, Citizenship, Art & Design, Design & Technology, English
Teacher Feedback: St Bede’s Catholic Junior School visited Tatton in March 2006 “The children thoroughly enjoyed their experience and we are delighted with their learning. We will most definitely book again next year”
Living History in the Gardens
*New! for 2007* - The Victorian Garden Apprentice
KS1 & 2 ● 12 children per group, Max 4 groups
Available April- beginning of October
Full day or half day, (can be used in conjunction with Environmental Days)
Learn what life was like for a young Victorian apprentice starting work in Tatton’s walled gardens. During your visit, we use past and present methods to carry out the apprentice's work, which includes potting, composting, learning about food and how to protect crops. In the afternoon we will change roles from life as a gardener to gentry taking in a tour of the pleasure grounds.
Download the Gardening Information Sheet
Download the Gardening Activity Sheets
Curriculum Areas Covered: History, Maths, Geography, Science, Citizenship, D&T and English
Living History at the Farm
World War II - Evacuees on the Farm
KS 2 & 3 ● 12 Children per group, Max 4 groups
Available Sept - end Nov and Jan - May
During the last war, children from large cities were evacuated to the countryside and some of them came to Tatton Park. As new evacuees, your class will learn something of what life was like for these children. The move to strange surroundings, the jobs they had to do and the precautions they had to take. During your visit, the land girls, who worked at Tatton during the war, will set the children to work, introduce them to the animals they will help to look after and sing popular wartime songs in the air raid shelter. Aunt Mary who lives in the Farm cottage, will show the evacuees their new home, discuss rationing and produce food cooked on a range as well as talking about household chores and teaching some local and national history.
Curriculum areas covered : History, Mathematics, Science, Citizenship, Music, Design & Technology, English
Food & Farm
KS 1 ● 12 children per group, Max 4 groups
Available Sept - end Nov and Jan - May
Food & Farm is a living History programme exploring life at Tatton Dale Home Farm during the 1930's when it was experiencing its hey day as a thriving modern Farm.
The children are welcomed as guests of Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, visiting his very own Farm. They will meet Aunt Mary, some of the Farm workers and all of the Farm animals. They will have the opportunity to help out in the day to day running of the Farm and at the same time learn about the importance of food to all living creatures.
Curriculum areas covered : History, Mathematics, Science, citizenship, Music, Design & Technology, English