Organising school visits to Strangers' Hall
Bookings
Advance booking is essential for all school visits.
To make an enquiry call 01603 493636 or email norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk.
Planning your visit
- We can usually provide areas for lunch. Ask us when booking your visit and please leave lunch spaces clean and tidy. In fine weather, lunch can be eaten outside in the garden. Lunch spaces must be booked in advance
- The museum's usual opening time is 10am. If you arrive early, be aware that there is no sheltered place to wait outside the museum
- School events can take place Wednesday to Friday. All visits must be pre-booked. If you wish to have all or part of your visit be self-guided, you must book for a Wednesday, when the museum is open to the public.
- The museum's visitor capacity is small, so we ask that school groups usually leave the site once your event has finished, unless you have pre-arranged to stay for a self-guided visit afterwards (Wednesdays only).
- The museum is in the city centre and has no parking. The closest drop-off is outside the Strangers Tavern on Charing Cross.
Covid-19
If any member of your group is at a higher Covid risk and you would like to discuss possible accommodations contact us in advance of your visit on 01603 493636 or norwichcastle.bookings@norfolk.gov.uk.
Pre-visits
We recommend that teachers come to the museum for a free pre-visit before bringing a school party. Pre-visits are available while the museum is open to the public.
Check the Strangers' Hall Museum opening times.
Teachers can get in free - just pop in or book a complimentary ticket on Art Tickets. You must bring your school ID with you to show to reception staff.
Admission and workshop fees
Your booking confirmation will have the details for the price of your visit.
Access
We aim to make our activities as inclusive as possible. If anyone in your group has particular access or learning needs contact us in advance to discuss.
Find more access information about Strangers' Hall
Strangers' Hall is not accessible for wheelchair-users. There are steep steps at the entrance as well as steps and stairs throughout the building. If any of your party has mobility difficulties, we strongly recommend you make a pre-visit to assess risk and suitability (see Pre-visits section on this page).
On arrival
Ask your coach driver to drop you off and pick you up at the bus stop outside the Strangers' Tavern pub on Charing Cross. It's a very short walk to the museum from there.
When you arrive at the museum you will be met by a member of staff. The group leader will be asked to sign in and record the number of students and adults in the party. You'll be directed to a space to drop off coats and bags and shown your lunch space if you're staying for lunch. If you've booked a facilitated session, you'll then be taken to the meeting place for your introduction.
Running late?
If you are taking part in an event or workshop and your arrival time is delayed for any reason call the booking line on 01603 493636 or Strangers' Hall on 01603 667229.
Facilities
There are only two toilets (one male, one female). This is due to building restrictions for this Grade I listed building. We suggest going in small groups at staggered times during breaks.
Responsibilities and expectations during your visit
The rooms at Strangers' Hall are small and contain fragile objects. If your visit includes a self-guided session, we recommend that students are organised in groups of around five people, and that only one group is in a room at one time.
- Rucksacks and school bags are not permitted in the museum - ask a member of staff to store them for you in the School Room or office
- Ask your students not to touch anything they see in the rooms. However, the Little Bed Chamber is a fully interactive room in which everything can be touched. Here students are invited to try their hand at making the bed - Tudor-style!
- No eating or drinking is permitted in the museum (apart from the garden and designated lunch space)
- Photography is permitted, but do not use a flash
The group leader has responsibility for adult helpers and for:
- Briefing students and adult helpers before the visit on health and safety (see risk assessment), and on roles and responsibilities (see below).
Visiting teachers and adult helpers have responsibility for:
- Their pupils' behaviour throughout the visit including led sessions and breaks
- Sole responsibility for the welfare of their pupils during breaks and lunchtimes
- Staying with their group at all times, especially during breaks and lunchtimes
- Being responsible, in case of evacuation, for escorting their group to the fire assembly point, taking the register and reporting any missing person to museum staff
Students are expected to have a responsible attitude and show regard for the fabric of the museum, its contents and other museum visitors.
Departing the museum
When you are ready to leave, we recommend you phone your driver to check the coach is waiting for you. If there's a delay you'll then be able to wait in the museum rather than on the roadside.
After your visit
We'll send you an evaluation form to complete and we welcome your comments on how the visit went. We're also happy to receive children's work and photographs.