Heritage and culture

Based in the new learning spaces at St John’s House and Market Hall Museum they cover a number of themes on the history curriculum. The workshops are designed to encourage children's critical thinking and decision making skills. It will inspire curiosity and encourage the creative learner.

Stone Age – Iron Age

St John’s House - 17th April 10am to 2.30pm

This exciting story world adventure takes the children into an electronic game where they must prove their knowledge of each level (Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age) to progress in the game. Children will explore what people ate, the homes they lived in, the tools they used and the skills they deployed in each era.
This workshop includes many activities that allow children to handle original and replica objects from the Stone Age, Iron Age and Bronze Age and engage in activities in role as game players.

Victorian Summer

St John’s House - 20th July 10am to 2.30pm

An exciting opportunity to visit St John’s House Museum to experience the preparations for a unique event that happened in Warwick in 1897, when the Earl of Warwick held a Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Castle Park for school children to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 60 year reign.
The Countess of Warwick was friends with Mr Sam Lockhart, a local elephant trainer and his elephants were to be the star attraction, along with Punch and Judy shows and fireworks. The challenge for the children will be to impress the Countess of Warwick sufficiently to get an invitation for their family to this prestigious jubilee celebration at the Castle. 
In 1897 St John’s Museum was a school led by the Misses Townshend. To prove their suitability and impress the Countess, Lady Warwick, the children will step back in time and experience a lesson as a pupil in Miss Townshend’s Victorian classroom, they will also prepare summer treats with Mrs Danvers the cook in the Victorian kitchen, and then learn how to march, curtsey, and bow as required in Victorian times, as well as making flags that reflect the changes in society during the Victorian era. 
Finally, they will be presented to the Countess of Warwick to see if they are worthy of attending this prestigious event. This practical day project includes local history, Victorian education, domestic life, and Victorian values, enabling the opportunity to compare life in the Victorian and Modern eras.

Great Fire of Warwick

Market Hall Museum and St John’s House - 5th September 10am to 2.30pm

This workshop is a fantastic way for children to learn about a significant historical event in their own locality through written accounts, objects, and a guided trail of Warwick. Children will explore the effects and impact of the fire through the eyes of ‘real life’ eyewitnesses, and step into their shoes to plead their case for compensation to Lord Brook of Warwick Castle.
The historical concept of cause and consequence is a key theme that runs through this workshop. The themes and issues have parallels with the 1666 Great Fire of London.

Victorian Christmas

St John’s House - 20th December 10am to 2.30pm

Discover Victorian Christmas traditions in the schoolroom, kitchen and with John the Gardener decorating the house with fresh greenery.
Immerse yourselves in this story world adventure and help Miss Skarritt, Queen Victoria's dresser, design some new Christmas bloomers for the Queen.
Learn about Victorian Christmas traditions to help you create your design. Meet our Victorian school ma'am Miss Roach and experience a Victorian lesson from 1888. Learn how the Victorians made Christmas pudding with Mrs Danvers the cook.
Meet the St John's gardener and learn about other Victorian Christmas traditions, including why we decorate our houses with greenery. Make a Christmas cornucopia. 
Share your ideas for decorating Queen Victoria's bloomers, sing carols and help to decorate the St John's Christmas tree before you go home.

Booking details

Each workshop costs £15 per child. Suitable for children aged 7 - 11 years. 
Spaces limited and must be booked in advance at Heritage Box Office
There is no café on site, please bring a packed lunch.
Younger siblings not taking part in the workshop are welcome, please book a free ticket for them. This is so we are aware of how many people will be on site that day.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book a free ticket for accompanying adults.
For more information email heritagelearning@warwickshire.gov.uk
Contact Number: 01926 736492