King Richard III Visitor Centre Leicester

The King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester runs a Learning Programme for any age group, centred on the story of King Richard III and the archaeological / historic investigation of his life and death. 

Schools and other educational organisations can choose to:

• Book a site visit (physical visit to the Centre) 
• Book a virtual workshop if remote attendance is preferred. 

There are also free online resources available for use in the classroom or at home, so learning doesn’t stop at the visit. 

A Teachers’ Information Pack is provided to help with planning all aspects of the visit. 

If the standard options don’t meet a group’s needs, the Centre is open to arranging a bespoke learning experience in consultation with the organisers. 

Practical details

The Learning Programme is available all year round, though early booking is recommended to secure your preferred date. 

To book or make an enquiry, groups fill in a Museum Learning Enquiry Form. 

The Centre is located at 4A St Martins, Old Town, Leicester, LE1 5DB. 

Why it could be a good fit for your group

The programme mixes history, archaeology, and detective work, which can engage learners of different ages and interests.

The flexible modes (site visit + virtual + resources) mean you can integrate it into a variety of teaching contexts (pre-visit, follow-up, whole-class or smaller groups).

The bespoke option means you can tailor the visit to match your curriculum focus or student needs.

The King Richard III Visitor Centre is an excellent choice for educational visits because it offers a unique and engaging way to explore history, archaeology, and science through the real-life story of King Richard III. Students can discover how his remains were found beneath a Leicester car park, linking classroom learning directly to tangible evidence and historical investigation. The Centre’s Learning Programme supports the national curriculum and encourages critical thinking through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and inquiry-based workshops that invite pupils to think like historians. Schools can choose in-person visits, virtual workshops, or use free classroom resources, making the experience flexible and accessible. Visitors come not only to see the site where Richard III was discovered, but also to experience how modern science and archaeology have reshaped our understanding of the past, making history come vividly to life in the heart of Leicester.

The King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester does hold the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge.

At the King Richard III Visitor Centre, school trips are carefully structured to align with Key Stage learning objectives and key areas of the national curriculum. The Learning Programme connects classroom study with real-world history and evidence-based investigation. Here’s what is typically included in a school visit:

During a visit, pupils explore the story of King Richard III’s life, reign, death, and rediscovery, linking directly to curriculum topics in History, English, and Science. For Key Stage 2, this supports studies of the medieval period, monarchy, and the Wars of the Roses, as well as the concept of historical evidence and how we know about the past. For Key Stage 3, it deepens understanding of Tudor and late medieval England, source analysis, and the interpretation of historical reputation. Older students, including GCSE and A-level groups, often focus on archaeological practice, forensic investigation, and the use of scientific methods such as DNA testing to confirm identity.

Visits usually include an interactive exhibition tour, hands-on activities, and optional workshops led by education staff, encouraging pupils to think critically, handle replica artefacts, and piece together historical narratives. Teachers are provided with pre-visit and post-visit materials to reinforce learning outcomes and extend enquiry-based learning back in the classroom.

• Workshops are designed for a class of approximately 30 pupils. 
• For the exhibition, children enter in groups of up to 25 at a time to avoid overcrowding. 
• Accompanying adult ratios: for KS1 one adult free with every 6 pupils; KS2 one adult free with every 8 pupils; KS3 one adult free with every 10 pupils.

The King Richard III Visitor Centre provides a range of educational materials and resources to support school visits. Each group receives a Discovery Pack with worksheets, clipboards, and pencils to guide pupils through the exhibition. Teachers can download a comprehensive Information Pack with planning details and risk assessments, and access free classroom resources such as activity sheets, character cards, and online learning materials designed to link directly to curriculum topics and Key Stage learning objectives.

None, as long as they have permission from parents

Email for learning enquiries: learning@kriii.com

General contact: info@kriii.com | Tel: 0116 299 4444

Booking form: Museum Learning Enquiry Form

Please contact learning@kriii.com for up-to-date prices, group discounts, and information about free adult ratios. Visits are suitable for all ages from pre-school through university.

No special clothing is required. Normal casual wear is suitable. Any practical activities requiring specific clothing will be advised in advance.

Groups should bring a qualified first aider if required.

  Shop: Yes

  Café: Yes (The White Boar Café)

  Toilets: Yes

  Eating Areas: Yes, facilities to eat packed lunches

Wheelchair accessible and fully accessible toilets available.

Inclusive for SEN visitors; specific support should be confirmed with learning@kriii.com

Monday–Friday & Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00

Saturday & Bank Holidays: 10:00 – 17:00