Prehistoric Britain

What was it like to live in Prehistoric Britain and how can we know?

Become an archaeologist, handle artefacts from the Stone and Bronze Ages and use them to work out the differences between life in the Palaeolithic and Neolithic. Hold a 300,000 year old hand axe, examine a real mammoth tooth, and learn about flint knapping.

The Horniman is the perfect place to explore your topic further. Explore Stone and Bronze Age tools in our World Gallery; consider the significance of farming in the Neolithic by exploring living farm animals in our free Animal Walk (open from 12.30pm); and consider the importance and uses of plants and the natural environment for hunter gatherers in our 16 acres of Gardens.

You can support your visit with our Prehistoric learning resource.

Learning Objectives:

  • Pupils will know that pre-history refers to a time before written history
  • Pupils will be able to place the Stone Age (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic & Neolithic) and Bronze Age in chronological order
  • Pupils will appreciate that change was gradual over time
  • Pupils will be able to list key characteristics of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods and draw comparisons between them
  • Pupils will be able to make inferences about people’s lives in the past through the careful study of artefacts

‘Maria, the leader of the session, was exceptional. She delivered it excellently – all adults (teachers and parents) were extremely impressed and grateful. Thank you Maria!’

Please note that our Natural History Gallery  is now closed as part of a major two-year redevelopment, Nature + Love. The rest of our Galleries, displays and Gardens will be open as usual, with plenty across the site to support your topic (from our free Animal Walk, to our World Gallery). Our schools workshops are unaffected.

We will be opening a free temporary exhibition about the natural world, animals and their habitats, in September 2024.

Resources

Workshop information

How to book

Booking a taught session includes a welcome briefing on arrival, timed access to a lunch space, cloakroom facilities and access to toilets for the exclusive use of school groups.

Contact us to make a booking:
schools@horniman.ac.uk
020 8291 8686

When you contact us please have ready:

– the name of the taught session you would like to book or topic you are studying,

– 1st/2nd/3rd choice of date and preferred session time,

– the number of pupils and adults attending.

Costs

Entrance to the Horniman Museum and Gardens is free of charge. Taught sessions and access to some exhibitions are charged for. We invoice after your visit.

The following charges apply:

Mainstream State schools: £90 including VAT, £75 excluding VAT

Private/independent schools: £129.60 including VAT, £108 excluding VAT

SEND schools and groups: £45 including VAT, £37.25 excluding VAT

We offer a bursary scheme for schools that meet a set criteria.

Planning your visit

See the School Trips page for other essential information including our risk assessment.

We are open from 10am-5.30pm. Entrance to the Museum and Gardens is free of charge but must be booked in advance by emailing schools@horniman.ac.uk.

We offer reduced educational rates for our Aquarium, Butterfly House, and Temporary exhibition. See the School Trips page for further information.

Charges apply to all children aged 3 years and over, and all accompanying teachers and adults, unless they are specific 1:1 carers.