Primary History days at the Castleshaw Centre
A selection of our most popular days..
Romans
Life at a frontier fort in the Castleshaw Valley

We are fortunate to be based just a few minutes walk from the site of a Roman fort on the old Chester to York Roman Road.
We can combine a visit to the fort, to study of the site and its remains, with activities based at the Centre. These can include..

• Making a time line
• Finding out "what the Romans did for us"
• Learning about the Roman Army (and filling out an application form!)
• Dressing in mock uniforms and trying out some of the most famous Roman marching formations
• Trying out some practical "archaeology"
  
  

Industrial Revolution
Weavers' cottages to Steam Mills: a journey through time

We trace the transformations of the industrial revolution and learn about the changes this brought about by following a route from a local hamlet with weavers' cottages, past the remains of water powered mills, finally reaching large steam powered mills in Diggle.
The visit can include viewing and handling contemporary artifacts (eg. a spinning wheel, carding brushes etc. ), video of large steam mills operating, hands on "weaving" etc.

Chronological understanding
The John Buckley Trail

This trail tracks the births, education, marriages, working lives and deaths of a family from the Castleshaw Valley in the last century. The day involves use of maps from the period, old photographs etc., and can involve the use of census information and grave rubbings if desired.

Travel the ancient highways

A journey through time in the Castleshaw Valley using the routes of both  ancient and more recent tracks, such as the pack horse trail, the Roman road and the turnpike route. We can also consider the local 18th and 19th century canals, and the introduction of the railways if desired.

Victorians
Victorian Delph
An exploration of Delph and a search for clues of its growth and development in the Victorian era.

The Victorian Experience
One of our special winter courses, predominantly based indoors . We encourage schools to come in mock "Victorian" dress. 

• A hands-on day with a number of options available:
• The Victorian Kitchen - Bread baking and butter making
• Join in a morning lesson in a "Victorian" Classroom
• Learn about the plans to build two reservoirs in the Castleshaw Valley of the 1880's, and join in a public meeting to debate the issue.
• Learn about the use of child labour.
• Sample traditional children's games of the era.
• Experience "wash day"the hard way - try washing clothes with a dolly tub, posser and scrubbing board.