The Victorian School and Museum

The Victorian School at Park Hall offers a unique insight in to the school life of a child born in the Victorian era by letting them immerse themselves in the lessons that the generations before them would have experienced.

When the reign of Queen Victoria began in 1837 many children were too poor to attend school However, by the 1860’s education was becoming to be regarded as a right and not a privilege and by 1880 it was compulsory for all children between five and ten to attend school.

However, discipline was very strict because many Victorians believed that to educate poor children might lead them to disagree with their ‘elders and betters’.

Step back in time and join us in a truly Victorian experience. For an hour, you will endure a lesson in discipline administered by the school headmaster or mistress. Dressed in authentic Victorian costume, you will sit at original desks using writing implements and slates appropriate to those times, and the teacher will rigidly enforce discipline to demonstrate what a Victorian child might have experienced during a normal school day.

Available for groups bookings of 20 – 50 people with advance booking only

Our museum transports you into the heart of the Victorian home and farmhouse with rooms depicting the everyday lives of Victorian families. Living rooms, a dairy and a laundry capture the atmosphere of the times with authentic furniture and artifacts in each room. The museum also has a fine collection of Victorian toys and games, and an extensive display of writing materials and books relevant to Victorian school times.