School visits are available to pre-book Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
Whether you are looking for a Victorian themed school trip or a chance to learn about an important Manchester woman, we can offer a school visit to meet the learning needs of your school group.
Described after her death as ‘one of the greatest female novelists of all time’ Elizabeth Gaskell was born in 1810 and lived at 84 Plymouth Grove in Manchester with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865.
Elizabeth Gaskell was a celebrated Victorian author and social activist best known for writing Cranford, North and South and the biography of her friend Charlotte Bronte.
Elizabeth welcomed other Victorians such as Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte to her House. Her family mixed with a range of Victorian society from the poor of the workhouse to the likes of Florence Nightingale and Charles Darwin.
Elizabeth and her family did a great deal to help the working people of Manchester including supporting and delivering education to the Victorian working classes. They ran early forms of food-banks, supported unmarried mothers and were actively involved in the anti-slavery movement.
Building on the legacy of Elizabeth Gaskell and her family, our hands-on approach and relaxing environment mean we are an inspiring, sensory and creative space for school children of all ages.
Primary School Visits
KS1/KS2: Victorians / Then & now
Who lived in a Victorian house like this? Through a variety of playful and hands-on activities, we will discover more about Elizabeth Gaskell’s Victorian home. Pupils will compare life in Victorian times to life today through three activities during their visit. These are usually;
1. A tour and exploration of five Victorian rooms (can include a focus on the role of Victorian women)
2. Handling and talking about Victorian household objects used by Victorian servants.
3. A craft activity making a Victorian toy (KS1) or a literacy activity (KS2) using chalks and ink
Key information
£4.50 per child (£3.75+VAT). (minimum charge of £100). Please note, for tours in November 2024 onwards, the price is £5 per child (£4+VAT).
- Up to 30 children per session
- Visit lasts 2 hours.
- Available to book Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Coach drop off on the road next to the house
- We ask for 1 member of staff per 10 children plus extra for children with special needs.
- The house has step-free access, a lift to all levels and accessible toilets on each floor.
- Subject to the availability of space packed lunches may be eaten in the Tea Room. Let us know at point of booking.
Curriculum areas: History, Literacy, Drama and Science.
Secondary, Higher and Further Education groups
Secondary and FE students
1. A private tour with our experienced guides (typically these last an hour).
2. For an additional cost we can offer a range of specialist talks/discussions on topics including:
- An introduction to Elizabeth Gaskell: writer and woman
- The Gaskells: a Victorian Manchester family
- Elizabeth Gaskell’s Novels
- Mary Barton and Manchester
- Gothic Novels
Other bespoke talks can also be arranged with sufficient notice
Key Information
From £10 per student. (minimum charge of £100). Please note, from November 2024 onwards, the price is from £11 per student.
- We can take groups of between 10-50 students
- Specialist talks available for additional fee per student
- Refreshments available at extra cost but must be pre-booked
- Visit lasts 1-2 hours
- Available to pre-book Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Shop selling books and gifts
Bringing Elizabeth Gaskell’s House to your School
If you are within a 10 mile radius of the House we can also come to your classroom with handling objects and a presentation. We ask for a fee of £65 per class and our visit typically lasts 1 hour. This is only available to primary schools.
Available on Fridays only.
Booking
Fill out the enquiry form below or contact the team directly on enquiries@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk or call 0161 273 2215
