School visits
We welcome around 1,500 school children to Blackburn Cathedral every year and it is an exciting and stimulating place to visit for students of all ages.
Our Education Team offer a wide variety of Tours, Experiences and Trails, all of which link to the National Curriculum and your school can visit the most inspiring classroom in Lancashire.
Our aim is to bring learning to life, providing fun and informative experiences for all of the learners who walk through our doors.
We offer pupils an experience of a sacred and awe inspiring space which speaks of the journey of Christian faith in our region. Our exciting programmes offer trails and workshops aimed at the topics of the RE curriculum as well as broader subjects to enrich your pupils’ learning.
Key stage 1
Our younger visitors explore this incredible space through discovery of all the features, sights and sounds of the Cathedral.
Key stage 1
Key stage 2
Our Key Stage 2 visitors, through a treasure hunt activity, find the unique treasures of Blackburn Cathedral.
Key stage 2
Key stage 3, 4 & post-16
Workshop based and informed by your curriculum, tailored visits offer learning in a truly inspirational environment, with expert input from colleagues of the Diocese and other professionals.
Key stage 3, 4 & post-16
Submit a schools visit enquiry
Schools FAQs
For guidance and answers to common questions about visiting Blackburn Cathedral with a school, please see our FAQs.
Yes. All visits must be pre-booked and to have the best chance of ensuring the date of your choice, it is advisable to book at least six weeks ahead; for busier and popular periods, and for large groups, booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
You can either fill out the form above, or you can contact the Education Department directly via email [email protected] or by calling 01254 845310 to discuss your requirements.
You will be sent an enquiry form to complete and return, upon which the Education Officer will request the date, make the necessary staffing arrangements and send a confirmation to you when the visit is finalised
Please do not book any transport until you have received your confirmation.
The Cathedral Trail is £2.50 per person and is conducted for 90 minutes.
A Cathedral Trail with a Workshop is £4.40 per pupil and this is a full morning where pupils participate in a Treasure Hunt to find all the key features of the Cathedral, followed by a workshop of your choice.
Groups will normally be invoiced after the visit. Should you wish to pay by cheque, this should be made payable to Blackburn Cathedral. Alternatively, you may request details from the Education Department at the time of booking to make a bank transfer.
All resources are provided by the Education Department.
A designated teacher should also carry a first aid kit.
We can provide a safe and comfortable place, free of charge, to eat your packed lunch with toilet facilities available however this should be requested at the time of booking.
There is no parking available at the Cathedral. Coaches should drop groups off on Darwen Street at the top of the pedestrian area. Coaches will need to return to collect at the agreed time.
During visits, the Education Team will be directing the group but support from the teachers is expected. Behaviour and safe conduct of all pupils are the responsibility of school staff and accompanying adults.
The ratio for adults to children should comply with local authority regulations. Teachers and/or accompanying adults are also responsible for first aid requirements for students, although Cathedral staff would summon the emergency services should the need arise.
If you let us know prior to your visit what requirements you have, we will do our best to ensure that everyone can enjoy their visit. All of our learning programmes can be adapted to meet specific needs. Please let us know your requirements when booking.
Before entering the Cathedral please remind the students that they are coming into a place of worship. This means they should behave respectfully whilst in the Cathedral, and not eat, drink, use mobile phones or drop litter. They may take photos. Unfortunately we are unable to store items on behalf of our guests and we encourage you to keep your belongings with you at all times as we cannot care for or be responsible for any items brought into the Cathedral.
The Education Department will plan your visit along the lines of the topics that you include on your booking form. Please send us your learning objectives and we will adapt the activity to match your requirements.
The Education Team are more than happy to offer bespoke visits for schools. Please let us know and we will do our best to plan an engaging and exciting visit in line with your chosen topic.
Yes, prior booking is required for all visits. This is for two reasons. Firstly, we need to ensure that the Cathedral is never overfull and retains an atmosphere of peace and spirituality. Secondly, we often have other events such as services, taking place in the Cathedral and then group entry would not be permitted at those times.
Yes, toilets are clearly signposted throughout the Cathedral.
Although there are some old, uneven surfaces and care should be taken, Blackburn Cathedral is fully accessible and wheelchair friendly. There is level access into and around the Cathedral and there is a lift available to all floors.
If you have a specific access need, please speak to a member of our team or a volunteer when arriving at the Cathedral who will be happy to help you.
We have a number of measures in place to ensure disabled visitors get the most out of their visit to the Cathedral. Please visit our accessibility page for full details.
We have standard accessible toilets as well as a registered Changing Places toilet too so that everyone, regardless of their needs, can use our facilities.
Unless otherwise stated, entry will be via the main West Doors of the Cathedral which are accessed via Darwen Street, opposite BBC Radio Lancashire.
Please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help with your enquiry.
