2026 availability:

Tuesday 03 March

Tuesday 17 March

Tuesday 24 March

Tuesday 31 March

Tuesday 21 April

Tuesday 28 April

These dates are offered on a first-come-first-served basis so please book early to avoid disappointment.

We will be announcing further dates for the summer term in due course. Contact learning@swheritage.org.uk for updates.

Bookings for workshops are made by contacting learning@swheritage.org.uk.

These sessions are worth two credits per class for subscribing schools. They cost £300 per class for non-subscribing schools.

One class activity will take place from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm.

You can read detailed information about access for this site on our Accessibility page and watch a short film showing a typical visit. Please notify us when booking about any specific needs for your children.

There is no designated parking for coaches at the Avalon Marshes Centre.  Please instruct driver to drop off your visitors.  There is a Truckstop at the Albion Inn in Ashcott that can accommodate coaches, for further details visit https://www.albioninnashcott.com/. 

Parking is available for cars at the Avalon Marshes Centre, the suggested donation for 1 hour is £1.50 and £3 for all day, and payments can be made via mobile phone or cash via donation boxes.  Arrangements for mini bus parking should be made in advance.  Please contact info@avalonmarshes.org to make a booking enquiry.

We strongly advise that all lead teachers complete a site pre-visit to fulfil their legal responsibility, and complete school Risk Assessments once a booking is confirmed. The lead teacher can visit free of charge beforehand. Please note that anyone attending with you will be subject to the appropriate charges. Please contact avalon@swheritage.org.uk to arrange a pre-visit. 

Schools onsite for booked visits can access the public toilet facilities in the car park of the Avalon Marshes Centre throughout their visit. Children should be accompanied by an appropriate adult.

The site will be closed to the public during your visit and you will have sole use of the facilities.

Avalon Archaeology sits within the wider Avalon Marshes Centre site, which includes Marshes Hub Tea Stop, the Avalon Marshes Centre and the Somerset Crafts Gallery. These sites are open to the public from 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week except for Christmas Day.

Bags, coats and water bottles can be left in the Bulleid and Gray Hut, which will be accessible throughout the visit.

Your pre-session information may ask you to bring suitable receptacles to carry craft items back to school. For some activities, you may need to print out activity sheets at school before you come.

Clipboards and pencils are provided for your use during your visits but you are welcome to bring your own.

As an outdoor site in a rural location, please dress accordingly for the weather and the time of year. Hand sanitiser is available should you wish to use it. In line with legal guidelines, schools must bring their own First Aider and First Aid Kit.

Yes, school groups can eat lunch outside in the Viking Ship or inside in the Saxon Longhall or Roman Villa, which includes benches and trestle tables for your use. School groups will need to take their lunchtime rubbish away with them.

Within the wide Avalon Marshes Centre site, the café will be open to school groups and members of the public. The café may be able to cater for school groups upon prior agreement. Please note only food purchased at the café can be eaten at their tables.

Children must be accompanied by a teacher or adult to visit the Somerset Craft Gallery.

Our current Risk Assessment will be sent with the booking confirmation. Please refer to these documents in advance of your visit.

In line with Safeguarding guidelines, our staff have Enhanced DBS certificates but must not be left alone with students at any time.

We require 10 days notice of cancellation to avoid charges.  Please contact learning@swheritage.org.uk  as soon as possible if you are cancelling your booking.

We offer monthly sessions for Home Education Groups. Visit the following URL https://swheritage.org.uk/events/home-education/ for more information including how to book.

Somerset schools can benefit from our limited travel bursary offer, aimed at reducing the barrier of high transport costs to schools.  This is offered through the Museums and Schools programme, funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, through the Arts Council. Schools requiring support with their travel costs are invited to apply for a bursary of up to the full cost of their transport to and from the museum, or £200 (whichever is lower).  Please mark on the enquiry form that you wish to apply for a bursary, and this will be reviewed by a member of the learning team.  A limited number of bursaries are available each term, and application does not guarantee acceptance.  We aim to respond within two weeks of enquiry to let you know if the application has been successful. Schools benefitting from the bursary are required to submit an invoice, with receipts proving their travel costs.