Our Projects - Discovery Group
Discover Tavistock Guildhall
Tavistock Heritage Trust’s Discovery Group hosts visiting schools in the Guildhall that are studying local history and also hold Family activity days during the school holidays.
Workshops for Schools
The Discovery Group brings Tavistock’s heritage alive for your pupils. Our activities and sessions developed for school groups can enrich your study of local history. They can be tailored to suit your focus of learning.
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School sessions take place in the Tavistock Guildhall Gateway Centre.
The following highly engaging sessions take approximately 2 hours:
Building Tavistock KS1
Take a look at Tavistock’s buildings and learn how they have been used over the centuries . Children will describe the architecture and create their own building or street scene. Explore the town with our fun ‘blue plaque’ trail.
Down the Mine - KS1 - Exhibits in the Guildhall will bring the history of mining to life. Children will hear the Tinners’ story and reflect on life underground. They will use scientific and poetic vocabulary to describe a variety of minerals and mining products.
Our Mining Heritage KS2
The mining history of West Devon and Cornwall. Children can learn about copper and arsenic mining and see how rocks and minerals were used in the built environment.
Inventors and Inventions KS2
Learn about the machinery and inventions which supported the Mining Industry.
Discover how 18th & 19th inventors developed the Beam engine.
Find out about an inventive method that was used to transport ore.
Crime and Punishment for KS2
Children will have a tour of the old police station and cells, experience the drama of the courtroom and roll their sleeves up for some hard labour.
Inspiring KS3
Use the Victorian courtroom for debating, re-enacting trials, public speaking experience. We have primary source courtroom scenarios and role-play resources.
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Be inspired with your own art projects or talk to us about using the Courtroom as a performance space.
For schools booking information please contact discovery@heritageintavistock.org
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“The children very much enjoyed visiting the Guildhall, and I will certainly be booking one of your longer educational sessions next time. Thank you again.”
– Class Teacher Year 4 Classroom Teacher
Head of Lower Prep, Mount Kelly
Free Summer Activities for Children and Families 2024
The Discovery Group brings Tavistock’s heritage alive for children and their families every summer with a range of activities focussed on the Guildhall Gateway Centre.
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These run every Wednesday during the Summer Holidays from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm.
These sessions are FREE entry but we do ask for a suggested donation of £1 per child to cover materials
This summer's sessions are:
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31st July – William Morris Designs
Glass painting, stained glass window colouring & making a bookmark
7th August – Mining Games
Mining Bingo, Shafts & Ladders & panning for gold
14th August – Getting Inventive
Create a collage machine, water play with waterwheel & pumps, make a lego beam engine
21st August – Modelling our Town
Modelling & printing inspired by Tavistock’s buildings
28th August – Cops & Robbers
Make a wanted poster, dressing-up as a courtroom character, make your own ID card
Children 11 years and under must be supervised by an adult
Activities will take place at the back of the Guildhall Courtroom, general access is through the main courtroom door. For the less able there is also step free access.