EDUCATIONAL AND SCHOOL VISITS

Group visits to Underfall Yard can be either in-person or via Zoom using our 360° virtual tour with a live voiceover.

Please contact info@underfallyard.co.uk for more information.

We use the inspiring history, architecture and engineering at Underfall Yard to offer a range of creative learning opportunities for all Key Stages. A highlight of visits to the yard is experiencing our Victorian workshop in action.

Many subject areas can be incorporated into visits.

History: Victorians; Industrial Revolution; trade and transport; local history/development of Bristol as a port

Science: Hydraulics; engineering; steam power; energy transfer

Geography: rivers; flood management; land use; development

Technology: Victorian machinery; hydraulics; blacksmithing; engineering

Art: using the yard’s unique collection of buildings and machinery as inspiration.

Our School Visits Programme includes:

  • Visitor Centre sessions. Your students will be set mini-challenges to structure the visit and facilitate their learning experience. 30-60 minutes.
  • Behind the scenes tours (virtual or in person) take your students into the Machinery Workshops to see our collection of Victorian machines in action. Visit the Sluice Room to learn about the creation of Bristol’s Harbour and see the hydraulic pumps raising the Accumulator. Call us to discuss a tour tailored to your topic. KS1 tours are delivered in a story-telling style. 30-60 minutes.
  • Site-specific taught sessions are available for every Key Stage. Sessions include: Nautical Knots; Tide Numeracy and Hands-on Hydraulics. 15-90 minutes. Information available below.
  • Hydraulic Pump demonstrations offer an opportunity to see historic heavy-duty machinery in action and get to grips with the power of water. 30 minutes.
  • Want to get out on the water? Bristol Ferry offer educational trips. The ferry stop is 200ft from our Visitor Centre!

As a charitable trust the Underfall Yard aims to keep prices as low as possible:

Half day visits (up to 2 hours) – £4 per student

Full day visits (2-4 hours) – £5.50 per student

These prices were revised on 2nd May 2024. If you made a booking before this date, the original quote will be honoured and your fee will not increase.

Visits to Underfall Yard are individually tailored for each group so you are encouraged to contact us to discuss your visit: info@underfallyard.co.uk or 0117 929 3250.

Information on taught sessions for each Key Stage is available below:

Floaty Boaty 30 minutes

Your students will make their own mini model boat and test its sailability.  Students will be introduced to nautical vocabulary, properties of materials and boating traditions: all boats are girls and boats having naming-ceremonies!

Nautical Knots 30 minutes

Knot tying supports development of dexterity.  Your students will be guided through bowline knots, heaving line knots, carrick bends and many more.  Knot Passports* are available to keep a record of their progress.  Teachers who book Knot Passports can request PDF copies of the resources to continue the activity back at school.

*Class set of passports available for £5

 

Nautical Knots 30 minutes

Knot tying supports development of dexterity.  Your students will be guided through bowline knots, heaving line knots, carrick bends and many more.  Knot Passports* are available to keep a record of their progress.  Teachers who book Knot Passports can request PDF copies of the resources to continue the activity back at school.
*Class set of passports available for £5

Tides in Bristol 60 minutes

Students will be introduced to nautical vocabulary as they learn about tides and how they affect Bristol.  The session covers Bristol’s history and geography whilst focussing on developing numeracy skills.  Students will learn to read tide timetables, use data to make a prediction as to the height of the River Avon and visit the river to see if their predictions are correct.

Hands-on Hydraulics 60 or 90 minutes

This very practical session focusses on making model hydraulic systems using syringes and tubing.  The session explores the different properties of water and air in relation to pressure; the properties of water and oil in their use in hydraulics; and the problem of leaks in the system.  It pairs really well with a hydraulic pump demonstration.

Tides in Bristol 90 minutes

Students will learn to read tide timetables; use data tables to analyse information and ascertain meaning; make predictions based on multiple data sources and understand the “real world” implications of the data they are using.

Sluices and Water Volume 45 minutes

Did you know the sluices stop Bristol from flooding and from collapsing? Students will use a range of source material to delve into the story of the sluices; carry out calculations and use correct units of measurement to explore the features of the Floating Harbour; and be guided to interrogate the impact of displacement in the Harbour.

GCSE History

The Underfall Yard is delighted to welcome the growing number of schools who are choosing to study the development of the Harbour for their study of the historic environment. Sessions can range from 45 minute tours to all-day study sessions in our education room.

Our education room is available for hire from £50 per day to allow schools and colleges to develop their own learning schemes inspired by Underfall Yard. In 2017, SGS College were resident at Underfall Yard for a week as part of Level 3 UAL course. Call us on 0117 929 3250 to discuss this option.

 

Hands-on Hydraulics 60 or 90 minutes

This very practical session focusses on making model hydraulic systems using syringes and tubing. The session explores the different properties of water and air in relation to pressure; the properties of water and oil in their use in hydraulics; and the problem of leaks in the system. It pairs really well with a hydraulic pump demonstration.

Tides in Bristol 90 minutes

Students will learn to read tide timetables; use data tables to analyse information and ascertain meaning; make predictions based on multiple data sources and understand the “real world” implications of the data they are using.

Sluices and Water Volume 45 minutes

Did you know the sluices stop Bristol from flooding and from collapsing? Students will use a range of source material to delve into the story of the sluices; carry out calculations and use correct units of measurement to explore the features of the Floating Harbour; and be guided to interrogate the impact of displacement in the harbour.

Visit The Yard
Location & Opening Hours
Underfall Visitors Centre
Events
Educational Visits
Groups and Private hire
Underfall Café
Boatyard Services
About The Yard

IDEAS FOR EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Tailored tours of the Workshops and Sluice Room including demonstrations of our unique collection of Victorian machinery.

Hands-on and tactile learning activities

History, architecture and engineering for a dynamic learning experience