In 1523 Totnes was assessed as being the sixteenth richest town in England. The town was home to a successful merchant community and over sixty houses, dating from 1550 to 1640, remain in Fore Street and High Street.
Totnes gives a context for the children’s learning about our Tudor past: merchants, trade, markets, rich and poor, town life, and hygiene. The town also provides a wonderful opportunity to develop children’s skills of historical enquiry – looking for clues, assessing evidence, and recording information.
The children find evidence and hear stories about leading Tudors of the town; undertake simple role-play inside the Guildhall; and explore inside a merchant’s house, now Totnes Museum, finding and drawing interesting artefacts and learning about how the household was run in Elizabethan times. They may even find a cure for baldness or dry hands! (All entry fees included in cost of day).
This day supports Units 7, 8 & 18 of QCA History Schemes of Work
Find out more:
Feedback from Teachers:
‘The children enjoyed the activities and learnt so much. It was very enriching for the children to visit a real Tudor town.’
‘Thank you for another fantastic trip.’
‘We all had a lovely day - very informative and well planned. The children could see Tudor buildings and artefacts…they can put their learning in to an actual context…it makes it real to them.”
“I will recommend it to my colleagues. Thank you.”
“The children liked the Butterwalk and exploring as if detectives. They loved the Museum.”
“They (the children) particularly enjoyed the drama in The Guildhall.”
“The children, and teachers, have always enjoyed this trip and find it valuable to consolidate their learning of this topic.”
“The content was pitched appropriately and built on the childrens’ prior learning.”
“The children enjoyed learning out of class, seeing real Tudor buildings and artefacts.”
“ The day made the children even more enthusiastic about the Tudors. Keep up all the fantastic work…we look forward to seeing you again.”
Feedback from Children:
“Thank you for our totnes trip. We ahd a great time and it was really fun. Also we found out loads about the Tudors. The best bit was doing the acting in the Guildhall and looking around too.” Matthew
Thank you for showing us around Totnes. I really enjoyed the play in the Guildhall. From Liam.”
“The Tudor house was great. I hope we can go again. It was brilliant and interesting.” Samantha.
“I especially liked the Museum and the Guildhall. I enjoyed the play. I thought you were mad about loving the door, however it was very interesting…I liked the big hinges and the bolts.”
“The most interesting part was when we went into the Tudor house and we sat on the floor. The bed looked very comfortable and the food looked nice. I also liked it when we went into the garden and looked for herbs.” Kieran.