The name given to the tight trousers worn by some Regency gentlemen, such as the notorious Beau Brummell and his ‘dandy’ followers, as they showed off their leg muscles.
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New education information here soon.
Living Without Electricity – KS2 & KS3
Available all year
One of the servants will take you on a journey through the upstairs downstairs world of the Victorian servants and their employers, telling you about each of the rooms and demonstrating how a house could be run without the help of modern inventions. There will be an opportunity for pupils to help in domestic tasks.
Sessions last 2 hours (am or pm). £4.95 per child. Accompanying adults free
Voices From The Past – KS3 and Higher Education
Available all year
A superb audio tour allows you to wander through the Victorian rooms, led by its inhabitants. From Mary, the hard-working maid, to Richard Lister Venables – Chairman of the Magistrates and employer of the famous diarist Francis Kilvert, to name a few – you journey through the life of a Victorian household, sharing their grumbles and joys, hearing their private thoughts and ambitions. Mr Venables (portrayed by Robert Hardy) reminisces about all the changes he has seen in his life – the railways, photography, gas lighting to name a few; Mary gets tired carrying water the 41 steps from pump to bath; the cook shows off where the servants live and work, whilst poor William Morgan complains about the rats in his cell to Constable Rogers. Highly recommended for older children and adults studying the Victorians.
Allow 1.5 hours. Every party taking the audio tour will be accompanied by a member of staff who will help whenever needed, answer any questions and point out interesting details. You may alternatively, have a personal guide to take your group through the building. £4.95 per pupil.
NEW FOR 2023 – Exploring A Christmas CArol
A workshop to explore the contect behind Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Explore the period rooms and discover more about Scrooge’s life, Christmas traditions, levels of poverty in Victorian Britain, life in prisons and workshouses. Using quote cards from the text, real objects and photographs. Sessions can be half day (am or pm) or whole days. Whole day workshops will include some literary games. Included is a magic lantern show, using Victorian slides telling the story. An option to also do a taste test of a treat for the rich and staple food for the poor – an interesting change to a normal breaktime snack!
£3.95 per pupil half day / £6.95 per pupil full day.
See you in Court!
Whichever type of tour you choose, you will find yourself in the dock! The Courtroom has its own audio experience allowing you to eavesdrop on a real trial from the 1860s as the voices from Judge to felon are projected around the room. The ‘Lanshay Duck Theft’ deals with the disappearance of certain fowl from a farm in neighbouring Knighton, (a case made comical by the production of the duck skins in court for identification), with serious consequences for the accused. This trial runs for 20 minutes and you may listen to as much or as little as you like.
Have you got any ideas of your own?
Is there anything you would like to know about or try out in a real Victorian house? We are happy to try and accommodate any ideas, from cooking and cleaning to re-enactments of whole trials! Let us know what you would like, (bearing in mind we do not have a huge staff).
The Judge’s Lodging also holds a collection of Victorian toys with which sessions can be constructed, if requested.
If you would like to link your visit to other topics being covered at school, do let us know – we have, for example a collection of World War I & II artefacts, clothing, tools and trade goods.