Lesnes Abbey—
Activity summary:
10.00am
* Students welcomed to the Lodge and are briefed on how the day will run, as well as a
safety briefing.
* The two classes split up and take part in one of the following activities each, and then
swap over after one hour.
10.30am Activity 1: The class is led on a circular guided walk through Lesnes Abbey
Woods during which they stop at various points which represent interesting points in history:

Abbey Ruins : the children are told about the monks who lived here in the 12th Century
and their way of life, and why Abbeys were got rid of. The children then draw a picture of
how they think the Abbey would have looked before it was ruined.

Fossil Bed: the children are told about how 6 million years ago the site was under a
shallow, warm sea, and how the creatures who lived here then have left some clues
behind. They then dig for fossils.

Mulberry Tree: the children are told about how this tree was planted in the time of King
James I, who became king of England in 1603 and was subject of the famous gunpowder
plot involving Guy Fawkes. They hold hands and circle around the tree singing “Here we
go round the mulberry bush”

Abbey Farm: The children learn that this area was used as a farm in the 18th and early 19th
centuries. Each child chooses a farm animal and runs around pretending to be that
animal.

Tumulus: The children look at the ancient burial mound on the heath and learn that
someone was buried here in the Bronze Age—around 2000BC. They pass around some
replica items from the Bronze age and talk about what it would have been like to live then.
11.45am Lunch
Lesnes Abbey— Timelines– Local and Global
12.30pm Activity 2: The children then return to Lesnes Abbey Lodge to carry out
classroom activities including:

Learning about the word chronological– we do a quick example using a morning routine.

The children are put into groups. Each group has a set of picture cards– each one
represents one of our stops from the walk. They have to try and decide what order they
happened in.

When we have established the correct chronological order of events, the groups are each
given a long roll of paper and craft materials. They make their own Lesnes Abbey timeline
which can be taken back to school or displayed at the Lesnes Lodge
Practical Points :
Duration of activity: One day (approx. 10:00am—2:00pm)
What to bring:
Suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors, packed lunches