Bede's World
Bede's World in Jarrow, represents the extraordinary life of the Venerable Bede who lived and worked there 1300 years ago. Find out what life was like for Bede and his fellow monks and how much of Bede's work is of continuing importance to us today.

The stunning museum building houses 'The Age of Bede' an exciting major exhibition, which takes visitors through the making of Bede's Northumbria. The experimental Anglo-Saxon farm called Gyrwe, after the old English name for Jarrow, includes a full size early Northumbrian timber hall, a Grubenhaus (sunken featured building) and a monastic workshop, all built using only traditional tools and techniques. You can see rare breeds of cattle, wild boar, sheep and geese whilst historic re-enactments demonstrate how medieval villagers lived and dressed. In St. Paul's Church and Monastic Site and the ruins of the later medieval monastery, experience the unique atmosphere of 1300 years ago. Finally relax in the restaurant at Jarrow Hall, one of the finest Georgian houses in the region.

Address: Church Bank, Jarrow, NE32 3DY
Contact: The Education Service
Telephone: 0191 4892106
Fax: 0191 4282361
E-mail: education@bedesworld.co.uk
Website: www.bedesworld.co.uk

Set programmed visits for school parties

Admission: £2.20 + VAT per pupil for a half day visit
£3.99 + VAT per pupil for a full day visit

There is a discount of 5% for groups booking two programmes on one day.

An opportunity for pupils to dress in habits and process into St. Paul's chancel, the only surviving monastic building of Bede's time, where they will learn about monastic life at the time of Bede. You will discover where the Anglo-Saxon monastic buildings were and look at the chancel's exterior features. This visit includes time in the new museum to look at displays and a model of the monastery.

As 'oblates' and led by a member of the Education Service, pupils will dress in habits and experience through role-play, plain song and replica artifacts, how it would feel to live in a monastic community. They will consider St. Paul's as a place of religious commitment from its Anglo-Saxon beginnings to the present day. This visit includes time in the new museum to look at displays and a model of the monastery.

Pupils can find out about life in a reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village in a visit to Gyrwe, the demonstration farm and learn about and see the animals, buildings, crops and skills of the people of the time. Pupils will also have the opportunity to handle replica artifacts and observe displays in the new museum.
*Note: This visit will be modified in bad weather.

How were the great manuscripts made? What sort of tools did a monastic scribe use? Children can find out the answers to these questions when they look at replica artifacts such as a stylus, a lunellum and prepared calf-skin. Pupils will be able to try their hand at Uncial Script using a quill pen.
*Note: This programme can be adapted for younger children - calligraphy pens (easier to use) are available.

Average length of visit: Set programme visits are 1 hour 45 minute led sessions, but a full day could be spent at Bede's World.
Ideal pupil to staff ratio: 10:1 if not visiting farm, 8:1 if visiting farm
Minimum group number: n/a
Maximum group number: 36
Educational Group rate: Set programmes from £1.85 + vat per pupil (There is a discount of 5% for groups booking two of the programmes listed above on one day)

April to October: Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm
Sunday 12.00 - 5.30pm.
November to March: Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday 12.00 - 4.30. Open Bank Holidays, closed Good Friday
St. Paul's Church is open: Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Disabled Access: Access for people with disabilities including wheelchair access throughout (except for one of the farm buildings), accessible toilets and electric wheelchair available if required. Guide dogs are accepted into Bede's World

A-Level Subjects Covered
As well as the set programmes Bede's World are always happy to develop activities with teachers for A - Level subjects such as Art.

Facilities and Provisions for Groups:
Access guide available
Activity / work sheets
Clip boards / pencils
Coach Parking (Free of charge)
Education Officer / service
Education / study room
Interpretation on site
Handling collections
Refreshment area (outside)
Lunchroom (inside)
Shop
Toilets
Welcome talk / guided tour