What to expect from your Viking Discovery Day at Murton Park:
- You will be placed in your groups and receive an introduction from the lead Viking character.
- You will then head to the hall for a 30-minute talk about who the Vikings are, where they come from, and what they are going to be doing (being a settler in the Viking village). Each group will have a mum, and a dad to represent them (chosen by the teacher). Costumes handed out (belt and tunic).
- You will walk to the village and be met by Viking staff and the Lord/ Lady of the village
- A round robin of jobs will begin – pots (make a clay tallow lamp), flour (grinding flour and bread making demo), game (play Viking board games), and guarding (a military drill with shield and spear).
- Lunch is 30 minutes in the classroom hall.
- At the end of your day, you will be raided by a Saxon, receive a thank you from the Lord/Lady, and have a Long House plenary talk.
- You can find the risk assessment here: Viking Day Risk Assessment
Before your visit:
- Please consider appropriate clothing – we are an outside site so wet weather clothing, warm clothing for winter, sun cream for summer, sensible shoes all year, wellies if wet.
- Please make sure you have contacted us with any additional needs your group might have.
- Please can you prearrange your children into the following groups:
- 30 pupils = 2 groups / 31-45 pupils = 3 groups / 45+ pupils = 4 groups
- The number of groups is a guide and can change on the day
- Please note the minimum number of pupils is 25 and the maximum is 65 pupils
- You are required to bring one adult for every 10 children with you
Upon arrival:
- Our day runs from 10am to 3pm. If you need to change these times, please let us know as we can accommodate small changes. If you might be late, please ring us (even 10 mins helps).
- The school bus or minibus will need to pull in front of the white gate. We do not want children walking across the car park or the roundabout. This may mean they are in a queue of other buses, but Murton staff can help with this on arrival.
- You will be met by a costumed member of staff. We will need to speak to a lead teacher before the children get off the bus, to confirm numbers (staff and children), any additional needs, time of departure, and if you wish to visit the gift shop (again, this is for timings for the day).
- Murton staff will process the paperwork while you disembark from the buses. An invoice will be raised based on the final numbers and sent to your school.
Facilities
- Access – the site has some uneven gravel and mud paths, some steps into buildings, but on the whole, we can accommodate wheelchairs. Please call us if you have any concerns.
- Toilets – we have toilets in the main building, near the Stone Age village and by the Roman Fort.
- Lunch – please bring your packed lunches with you, you will eat inside in bad weather or in good weather you can eat outside in our picnic area and grassed areas.
- Shop – we have a gift shop available, please inform staff at the start of your day to arrange a visit. Gift bags can be arranged prior to your visit. Please call us to arrange this.