School Visits to the Egyptian Exhibition.
Highclere Castle is the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.
In 1922 the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovered the tomb of
Tutankhamun. Over 5,000 objects, works of art and everyday items were found in
the tomb, providing an extraordinary insight into the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.
The Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars at Highclere Castle offers 3 different
experiences:
A) A collection of Egyptian antiquities from over 4,000 years ago to the
Ptolemaic period, including a beautiful coffin and information on hieroglyphs.
B) The path to the discovery of the tomb, introducing Lord Carnarvon and Howard
Carter and looking at their lives, travels and excavations.
C) The experience of Carnarvon and Carter discovering the tomb.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon offer the opportunity to Primary Schools or those studying
Egyptology to visit the Exhibition as part of their studies under the National
Curriculum.
Highclere began offering visits to Schools 16 years ago and, until now, the visits
have taken the same format using just the Egyptian Antiquities, the “hands on”
room, the gardens and/or video.
From September 2009, 3 different options for visits will be available:
Example of Visit “A”
The visit takes no more than two and a half hours including lunch. On any one visit,
the maximum number of children is 60. On arrival the children are divided into 3
or 4 smaller groups (2 groups if fewer than 30 children). It is in the interest of
the children that we keep these smaller groups to around 15, as neither the
Exhibition nor the “hands on room” room can accommodate larger numbers.
Each group, accompanied by an experienced guide, then visits in turn (for
approximately 30 minutes at each venue) the following:
1. The Egyptian Antiquities Room - a comprehensive exhibition with exhibits over
3,500 years old.
2. The "Hands On" room where children may dress up in replica Egyptian costume
and jewellery, handle replica artefacts, draw, do stencils, read, build a pyramid,
make a cartouche with their name in hieroglyphs etc. etc.
3. Weather permitting, a walk around the exterior of the house and to the Secret
Garden. If it is raining we show a 30 minute video about finding
of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
The charge is £4.50 + VAT per child with 1 adult to 10 children free.
Example of Visit ‘B’
In addition the children meet Carnarvon and Carter and enter “the path to discovery”.
This takes an extra 20 minutes and covers different topics from photography to
life in Edwardian Highclere; the Castle in the First World War and life in Egypt
with memorabilia from those times.
The cost for this option is £6.00 + VAT per child with 1 adult to 10 children free.
Example of Visit “C”
This third option takes children into the discovery area itself, and the treasures
found by Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter. There is an enormous amount of
information in this section and could take from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the
number of panels studied.
The cost for this option is £7.50 + VAT per child with 1 adult to 10 children free.
For schools wishing to eat a packed lunch during their visit, we are usually able to
provide a room. During the summer months there is a picnic area.
Souvenirs can be bought at the end of the tour if requested when booking.
Further Reading and Information:
Carnarvon and Carter; Egypt at Highclere.
