Bodelwyddan Castle

Bodelwyddan Castle is a beautifully restored Victorian family home, capturing the way of life of the Welsh gentry in the 19th century. Pupils can enjoy the magnificent paintings, sculpture and furniture in a series of fine historic rooms and take part in tours and workshops relevant to Bodelwyddan which support the national curriculum.

Meet Mrs Humphries – In 1850, Mrs Humphries is Housekeeper at Bodelwyddan and responsible for the army of servants she manages. Pupils dress up as privileged guests or servants arriving for their first day of work and discover the fascinating story of life in a wealthy Victorian home and can see, touch and try out some of the tools of their trade, discover the differences between rich and poor people and compare changes in the home, food, clothing, work, attitudes and the roles of men, women and children.

Toys from the past - compares and discusses old toys from the past 100 years, including dolls, handmade wartime toys, toys designed for boys and girls, and clockwork toys. This is followed by an opportunity to try out and play with a selection of popular Victorian reproduction toys, such as Jacob’s ladder, Cup-and-Ball and Pop Guns.

Investigating portraits- artist-led workshops introducing children to some of the key themes of portraiture, including characterisation, methods of non-verbal communication, and the stories behind the pictures. Following a presentation, discussion and sketching activity, pupils can develop a piece of their own artwork and can move on to explore self-portraits, utilising a range of creative materials and techniques to examine and express their own identity leading to their own self-portrait design.

Landscape and your environment- artist-led workshop considers how landscapes change over time by comparing 18th and 19th century artworks of Bodelwyddan with modern photographs. Pupils have an opportunity to respond through discussion and a sketching activity to the selection of Welsh landscapes on display in the Education Room.

Activities can be tailored for different year groups or schools can undertake self-guided visits, with a range of FREE material available including a history of the castle; an I spy quiz, castle quiz; treasure hunt and map-reading quiz. An orienteering course is available that can be adapted for all ages. Maps, compasses, score-cards and pencils are available and staff can advise on its use. Teachers can make FREE pre-visits to familiarise themselves with what the castle has to offer and discuss your requirements with staff.

Key Information