Stay the night in our Viking Longhouse
The residential hall is designed to sleep up to 35 children on sleeping platforms with accommodation in separate bunk rooms for up to eight accompanying adults.
On arrival, your children stow away their modern clothing and bags in chests and transform themselves into ancient farmers by dressing in simple tunics, dresses, hats, head scarves and belts.
Students work in groups
Divide your students into two groups and one will work inside the Longhouse on preparing the lunch and some of the dinner, while the other group works outside on the site. In the afternoon the groups will swap so everyone gets a full experience of daily chores of the Vikings.
The evening in the longhouse
The ATC staff will leave around 5-6pm and the site is yours!
Supper is served, the chores are done, it’s time for ancient games! The children can play indoor and outdoor games that challenge mind and body. Riddles, chess, nine men's morris, tablet, sword play, kubb all can be played and enjoyed.
Bedtime is a memorable experience, unrolling two sheepskins each, closing the leather windows, locking the doors and building up the fire for the last time and then a chance to lie and gaze up at the magnificent roof carved with 3000 runes flickering in the amber light of the fire.
The history of our Longhouse
The Longhouse, designed by Luke Winter, the ATC manager at the time, took over three years to complete and is a truly unique facility where visitors can immerse themselves in the past. Our modern toilets and kitchen are beautifully disguised so as not to distract from the period whilst also ensuring safe levels of hygiene for our visiting groups.
A quick tour of the Longhouse can be seen here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuyLf4GPIdE
Pre-visit site tour
We strongly recommend that school staff have a tour of the site, prior to your school visit. During the planning meeting we will discuss your requirements and design a day based around your topic, which will include three period relevant activities.
A booking form confirming your chosen activities will then be sent to you together with relevant Risk Assessments to ease the planning of your visit.