For many schoolchildren, learning about ancient Rome is often one of the most interesting and well-liked subjects. And what better way to engage your pupils in this topic than to give them the opportunity to visit ruins and immerse themselves in the fascinating past that surrounds the Roman Empire on an educational trip to Northumbria?
Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall was, unsurprisingly, built under the command of the Roman Emperor Hadrian to make his Empire more secure by separating it from the Barbarian territories. Sprawling across 73 miles, it is now one of the most impressive monuments on British soil. In this same area is the Sycamore Gap, a dramatic natural dip in the earth with the iconic sycamore tree nestled comfortably inside it.
Pupils brought here will have a chance to learn about the impressive and intuitive Roman construction techniques employed when creating Hadrian’s Wall.
Vindolandia
Vindolandia is a unique addition to any Roman-centric educational trip. The remains of an ancient fort, it’s the perfect mix of archaeology, artefacts and history.
•Excavation – Your pupils will get the opportunity to become immersed in a live excavation experience, as Vindolandia is still in the process of being unearthed. They will get to witness firsthand what the archaeologists discover.
•Artefact Collection – An impressive number of objects from the past have survived, including weapons, jewellery, animal bones, clothes, bronzes and more. Your class will love the chance to view them – after all, what curious young mind doesn’t want to see the skull of a local native?
•Vindolanda Museum – Despite the ancient treasures inside, this museum is state-of-the-art. Sure to amaze, it tells the archaic story of ancient Rome and its forts with the help of the latest interpretation techniques and displays – perfect for entertaining your pupils. Bring them here and let them discover the historical treasures within.
Roman Army Museum
No educational trip to Northumbria is complete without an experience that will truly bring Emperor Hadrian’s extraordinary military vision to life. The Roman Army Museum is based at Carvoran Roman Fort and shows what it was like to be a Roman soldier through reconstructions, excavated objects and 3D movies. Your class will be enthralled and captivated as they have to chance to see what it was like to live and fight almost 2,000 years ago.
Planning Your Educational Trip to Northumbria
If you’re a teacher, there are two things that are certain: you want to give your pupils all the knowledge you can and you’re almost always busy. With lesson plans and marking, it can be hard to find the time to put together an educational trip for your class. Luckily, there’s a solution: a specialised educational travel tour operator to help you organise your outing. Not only will they free you up to focus on your schoolwork and schoolchildren, they will have all the best tips and tricks to help you make the most of your class’s time in Northumbria.
Whether Roman history is on your syllabus or you just want to take your pupils on an educational excursion, Northumbria is chock-full of ruins and an interactive presentation of the past.
John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.
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