Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery - Schools

The resources listed below are divided into online and downloadable sections. They provide a range of information and activities related to Blakesley Hall and are especially suited to pre-visit and follow-up work. The downloadable resources are split into Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.

Online resources to use before and after your visit

Blakesley Hall for Kids*

*This resource require the Macromedia Flash Player (Download the Flash Player here)

Blakesley Timeline

Tudor timeline showing the important events for Blakesley Hall and the Smalbrokes.

Night night, sleep tight

A Foundation Years experience at Blakesley Hall. (Opens in a new window).

Tudor Times

Find out what life was like for Richard Smalbroke and his family at Blakesley Hall.

Pears, Pippins and Pies!

An investigation into Tudor food and entertainment at Blakesley Hall for KS2.

Mystery Objects

Can you identify these mystery objects from the kitchen at Blakesley Hall?

Blakesley Herbs

Come and explore the herb garden at Blakesley and learn about the history of herbs and their many uses! (Opens in a new window).

Downloadable resources to help you plan your visit

Getting the best out of your visit to Blakesley Hall:

Full Day Visit (102 KB)
Half Day Visit (99 KB)

Blakesley Hall and The National Curriculum

Document that shows Blakesley Hall Curriculum links for Key Stage 1-4. (119KB)

'I can sing a rainbow'

This activity encourages children to explore the colours of plants in the garden. (611KB)

'Use your sense of smell'

Discover how many different smells there are in our herb garden. (369 KB)

Farm Investigation

When it was built, Blakesley used to be a farm. This activity encourages children to think about how animals on farms can be useful. (348 KB)

Traditional Toys

Investigation - Children can examine, sketch and play with these replica Tudor toys. (1.9MB)

Artefact Investigation KS1
Use these replica artefacts (similar to those children will see in the house) to talk about life long ago, materials and the function of objects. (919 KB)

Brass Rubbing Activity

This document is provided in the classroom to explain to the accompanying adult how to run this activity. (111 KB)

Garden Investigation
This document is provided in the classroom to explain to the accompanying adult how to run this activity. Please bear in mind what season your visit is booked in! (346 KB)

Quill Pen Writing Activity

Use our handwriting guides to write like a Tudor! (32 KB)

Artefact Investigation KS2
Use these replica artefacts (similar to those children will see in the house) to talk about life long ago, materials and the function of objects. (842 KB)

Brass Rubbing Information

Brass rubbing information and quiz. (531 KB)

Brass Rubbing Activity

Discover what memorials used to look like in Tudor times and make a rubbing of one. (111 KB)

Herb Garden Activity

Find out how Tudors kept themselves healthy using herbs. (120 KB)

How was Blakesley Hall Built Information

Take a guided walk around the outside of the house to find out about Tudor buildings. (556 KB)

An Introduction to Blakesley Hall

Introduction to Blakesley Hall and includes a building plan of the hall. (124 KB)

The Family

Document that explains all about the family that lived at Blakesley Hall. (222 KB)

Herb Garden Activity

Document of activities while in the herb garden at Blakesley Hall. (97 KB)

Herb Garden Booklet

Document of activities in the herb garden and in the classroom. (34 KB)

Herb Cures

Document of herbs found at Blakesley Hall and what they cured. (131 KB)

Maths Activity

Maths activity document. (123 KB)

Blakesley Building

Document to show how the house was constructed. (152 KB)

The Furniture

Document to show the furniture at Blakesley Hall. (255 KB)

Blakesley Hall and Inventories

Richard Smalbroke's inventory and an Inventory Detective worksheet.