School visits to National Trust places in West Cornwall
In West Cornwall we have a range of beautiful, historical and natural places to visit with a school group. Please scroll to the bottom of this article to access our school packs which outline what you can expect when you visit.
Education Group Access Pass
National Trust Education Group Access Pass is only £63 per year for not-for-profit schools. This pass allows the whole school to visit any National Trust property for free across the country and also includes free parking.
To find out more about Education Group Access Passes visit here Education Group Access Pass or call 0344 800 1895.
Cornish Mining
Visit East Pool Mine and the Tin Coast for some of the oldest mines and mining landscapes in Cornwall. High-up on the exposed cliffs of the Tin Coast, you'll find Levant Mine, home to the restored 1840s beam engine, still running on steam. While East Pool Mine is home to one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world, at the heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage site.
Levant Mine
Discover more about mining under the seabed, climb in a man cage, see a working steam engine and visit underground in the man engine tunnel to learn about the industry and tragedy of Levant.
Exotic and beautiful gardens
At Trengwainton Garden you can follow in the footsteps of the 1920s plant collectors to see plants that flowered in Britain for the first time. Follow winding woodland paths to spot ponds, streams and sea views across Mount's Bay.
There’s also a kitchen garden reputedly built to the dimensions of Noah’s Ark.
Ancient gardens and farm buildings
Find out how the wealth from mining built a grand house at Godolphin and later how that house was transformed to grow a successful farm. Surrounded by beautiful medieval gardens, managed for wildlife.
Take your shoes off and have a go at our bare-foot trail, milk Polly the cow and explore the winding paths of Mary's Woods.
Godolphin House opening
Godolphin House is open during the first week of every month (except January), from the first Saturday to the following Thursday. If you would like to arrange a school visit to the House while it is open, please contact Godolphin.
Help protect our landscape with the Rangers
Find out more about the wildlife and habitats the National Trust looks after and work with the Rangers on practical conservation tasks on a trip to Cape Cornwall, Botallack or Porthcurno.
Take part in looking after these special places for nature by getting hands-on, making wildflower truffles or helping with clearing scrub or squashing bracken. Learn more about why this work is important for wildlife such as the long-horned mining bee and the success story of the Cornish chough.
Booking Information
Email the desired property with your preferred date, group size, and any parking needs for buses or coaches. Although all groups are welcome, parking is limited, so it's best to avoid arriving at the same time as another group.
Email Contacts:
- Levant Mine and Beam Engine: levant@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Trengwainton Garden: trengwainton@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Godolphin Garden: godolphin@nationaltrust.org.uk
- East Pool Mine: eastpool@nationaltrust.org.uk
You may receive a booking form in response, asking about payment (covered by the Education Group Access pass), a risk assessment for the visit, and confirmation that your school has off-site visit insurance.
Note that we cannot conduct a risk assessment for your visit as it depends on your group and planned activities. However, we can provide our visitor risk assessment for reference.
Each site offers different experiences—some provide guided tours, while others allow self-guided exploration tailored to your educational objectives. You're encouraged to visit in advance, using your Education Group Access Pass, to prepare.
School packs
Below are guides designed for schools to share what you can expect from your visit, as well as details on how to book. If you would like suggestions of where to visit with your school or have a topic or curriculum subject you would like to meet on a visit, please get in contact.