Schools & Groups

Mountfitchet Castle is a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle and Village, re-constructed on its original historic ancient site, complete with many different buildings, siege weapons and animals roaming freely throughout the 10 acre site, providing a unique insight into community life in Domesday England. The House on the Hill Museum is located adjacent to the Castle and has the largest collection of Toys in the world, with at least 80,000 exhibits on display from late Victorian times up to 1990’s. How better to see the illustration of the social history of our times portrayed through toys, books, games, music, entertainment and family amusement. The museum also houses a WWI & WWII Blitz and Battle of Britain display and information, Showbiz Collection and a Rock ‘n’ Roll exhibition. Also included in the Museum site is our Dinosaur park where you can see life sized dinosaurs and try your hand at fossil hunting in our Palaeontology House, can you find the Velociraptors claw?

No, in the Castle all exhibits are clearly signed and as you enter each building, an informative commentary is activated by sensor. In the Museum, just follow the footsteps!

Yes, there is a large Car and Coach Park serving the Castle. This is operated by the Council, and the current daily charge per coach is £7.50 for 5hrs via card at the Pay & Display machine(subject to change by council). Cars are charged at £2.70 for a three hour stay.

The Castle has a tea room which seats approximately 50 people, as well as an outdoor, covered picnic area which can accommodate approximately 120 people. The tea room sells a range of sandwiches, toasted baguettes, cakes, cookies, popcorn and ice cream, as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks.

Updated activity sheets are available to download for both attractions, tailored to suit different age groups. For Students whose first language is not English, we offer basic information sheets about the history of this ancient, historic site. These are offered, free of charge, in ten different languages. Fully illustrated Souvenir Brochures are available at both sites at a small charge. The brochures can be used as a guide to accompany your visit to the Castle.

Yes, Mountfitchet Castle visitor centre has a souvenir shop, offering a wide variety of gifts and souvenirs starting from as little as 50p. The Museum does not have a shop, but groups are more than welcome to use the one in the visitor centre which you pass through on your way to and from the Museum. Goody Bags are available from £2.50 – please telephone for details.

This depends on the age of the children and whether they are completing Activity Sheets or sketching exhibits etc, but a good average time is 2 hours at the Castle and slightly less at the Museum. Many schools combine a visit to both the Castle and the Museum on the same day.

Teachers are welcome to visit the Castle and Museum prior to their school visit. We ask you to pay in the normal way, tell the reception staff you are a teacher and they will sign your ticket on the reverse, and ask you to sign the ticket too. Then, on the day of the actual school visit, re-present the ticket (which will be required to be signed once again at the gate) and your money will be refunded in full.

We expect that all visiting parties of children be adequately supervised. Booking is made initially by telephone and then by written confirmation within 2 weeks of the telephone call. Once a booking has been made as above, we expect the party to honour that booking.