Schools have kindly submitted a number of centres that they have visited with Religious Studies groups. Please use the facility at the bottom of the page either to send an evaluation of an existing site, or to recommend somewhere we haven't listed. Your evaluations will be added to this page.
BUDDHIST
London Peace Pagoda The link is to a photograph of the peace pagoda.
It is the London Peace Pagoda and Nipponzan Temple in Battersea Park London SW11 4NJ. (Japanese Tradition)
Contact 020 72289620
Buddhapadipa Temple (London)
This is a spectacular temple, which is the centre for Thai Buddhists in London.
Their address is 14 Calonne Road Wimbledon Parkside London SW19 5JH. (Thai Tradition)
Contact 020 8946 1357
Fo Guang Shan Temple (London)
This temple is a daughter temple of the Fo Guang Shan Temple in Taiwan. It follows the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism. It is located in the heart of central London just off Oxford Street.
Address 84 Margaret Street London W1W 8TD. It is certainly open each day, but I haven't ascertained their policy towards school groups.
Contact 020 7636 8394
Jamyang Buddhist Centre (London)
The Old Courthouse 43 Renfrew Road London SE11 4NA
The Jamyang Buddhist Centre describes itself as a centre for meditation and philosophy in the Tibetan tradition. This is quite a place with a full programme of events. It has a shop with books and artefacts, a vegetarian cafe and they seem to be used to school visits.
Contact 020 7820 8787
Kagu Samye Dzong Tibetan Buddhist Centre and garden (London)
Address Carlisle Lane London SE1 7DG (by St Thomas' Hospital).
The centre was opened in 1998 is said to be a place of peace and tranquility in the heart of the city. The main function of the centre is to be a place of quiet and meditation. Nevertheless they are used to visits from school children of all ages.
CHRISTIAN
Many Christian churches have a ministry or welcome for visitors and arrangements can usually be made with local churches.
Many Roman Catholic and Anglican cathedrals employ a visitors or a schools officer who would be ready to assist with groups. They are also likely to produce information sheets or work sheets that pupils may use.
For a full list of Christian denomination links
click here. Contact the relevant organisation and see what the possibilities are in your area.
In addition though consider these:
Buckfast Abbey (Devon) This Roman Catholic Community of Benedictine monks welcomes almost half a million visitors each year. They have an education department and welcome visits from schools.
Their address is Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EE
Contact 01364 645500
EvaluationChapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwell-on-Sea (Essex)
This rather lonely chapel at Bradwell marks the site of a Celtic monastery occupied by St Cedd, who trained under St Aidan of Lindisfarne. There's not a great deal for a class to do at the site itself, but the walk out to the chapel gives a feeling of pilgrimage and the setting is beautiful.
Contact 01621 776203 (The Rector of Bradwell)
Bede's World (Jarrow)
Bede's World is an education centre which is located near the famous monastery of St Paul's Jarrow where the young Bede, in AD680, became a monk.
A number of different courses are hosted here for pupils of all ages.
Education Department Bede's World Church Bank Jarrow
Tyne & Wear NE32 3DY
Contact 0191 489 2106
Schools in South Tyneside LEA get in free!
Walsingham Anglican Shrine (Norfolk)
The shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham has an education programme for schools. "Our Teaching Team have a variety of background experience in nursery, primary and secondary schools, parish work and the Teacher Advisory Service."
The Education Department, Knight Street, WALSINGHAM NR22 6EF
Contact 01328 824205
Walsingham Roman Catholic Shrine (Norfolk)
The Roman Catholic Shrine also has an education department which will conduct school visits.
For details contact the Education Department Pilgrim Bureau Friday Market Place Little Walsingham Norfolk NR22 6DB.
Contact 01328 820217
It is often quite useful to book visits to both shrines on the same day and to walk the holy mile between the two. Lindisfarne (Northumberland)
The island of Lindisfarne is a superb place to visit with school groups and there are a number of centres on the island which may be visited by school groups. Just getting there can be an adventure. This page should lead you to a number of possibilities.
Watch the tide times though. The island is cut off by the tide for four hours at a time. Times when the causeway is openGlastonbury Abbey (Somerset)
The Abbey runs many programmes for pupils of all ages. Younger ones can dress up as monks and learn about the abbey from Brother Thomas.
The Education Officer Glastonbury Abbey The Abbey Gatehouse Magdalene Street Glastonbury Somerset BA6 9EL.
Contact 01458 832267
Norton Priory (Cheshire)
This Priory offers a mixture of courses for pupils National Curriculum related options - Cross curricular activities - Handling artefacts and reproduction costume - Resource materials and activity sheets - Free planning visits for teachers. They also have a Community and Education Officer, who may be found at:-
The Norton Priory Museum Trust Norton Priory Museum and Gardens Tudor Road Manor Park Runcorn Cheshire WA7 1SX.
Contact 01928 569895
HINDUISM
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden London)
Fantastic building. This community copes with large numbers of school groups each day. It's a bit of a production line, but it is very popular with classes. (See Support Blog RS)
As Mandirs go though, it is unusual.
115-119 Brentfield Road Neasden London NW10 8JP
Contact 020 8965 2651
For more information about school visits.ISKCON Educational Services (Watford Herts)
Highly recommended for school visits. Also a source of speakers.
Bhaktivedanta Manor Hilfield Lane Aldenham Watford Hertfordshire WD2 8EZ.
Contact 01923 859578
There are branches of ISKCON throughout the country
Iskcon Newcastle Temple page
Hindu Temple Newcastle upon Tyne
Address 172 West Road Fenham Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 9QB
Contact 0191 273 3364
ISLAM
London Muslim Centre (London East End)
The Imam of Ka'ba, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman al-Sudais unveiled a plaque at the London Muslim Centre at its inauguration on 11 June 2004. The centre provides increased prayer facilities for Muslims, education for Muslim children and an exhibition concourse to promote better interaction and understanding between communities.
London Muslim Centre East London Mosque 89-92 Whitechapel Road London E1 1JE
Contact 020 7247 1357/7247 2626
General Enquiries info@londonmuslimcentre.org.uk
The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque (London Central)
The London Central Mosque welcomes school groups.
The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque 146 Park Road London
Contact 020 7724 3363
Balham Mosque (London Balham)
In addition to the mosque there is a shop which sells books and artefacts. Perhaps more suitable for Juniors.
Address 47a Balham High Road London SW12 9AW
Contact 020 86735694
Croydon Mosque and Islamic Centre (London Croydon)
This mosque also has a bookshop which sells small artefacts. Perhaps more suitable for Juniors.
Address 525 London Road Thornton Heath Croydon CR7 6AR
Contact 020 87715570
Ismaili Centre (London South Kensington)
This is a small Shia Muslim community with a fabulous building. Tours may be arranged on written request.
There is a large prayer hall and the site is used by the Muslim community as a religious, social and cultural meeting place.
Write to:- Chief Executive Officer Ismaili Centre 1-7 Cromwell Gardens London SW7 2SL.
For more information about the centre
Bath Islamic Centre (Bath)
This mosque welcomes visits from schools by appointment. Meetings for worship may only be attended by Muslims.
Bath Islamic Centre 8 Pierrepont Street Bath BA1 1LA
Contact 01225 460922
JUDAISM
Ealing Synagogue (London Ealing)
A member of the United Synagogue Group. For students these building have the feel of a synagogue about them. The website is designed to answer virtually all your questions.
Tours of the synagogue may be arranged.
Ealing Synagogue 15 Grange Road London W5 5QB
Contact 0208 579 4894
Bristol Hebrew Congregation (Bristol)
This is an orthodox Hebrew Synagogue, built around 1870. The worshipping congregation is quite small but there are close links with the universities. Visit for school groups may be arranged. There is a charge for this. Ask when you book.
Bristol Hebrew Congregation 9 Park Row Bristol
Contact 0117 962 1076
Bristol West Progressive Synagogue (Bristol)
School groups are welcome. There is even a schools visits organiser.
Bristol West Progressive Synagogue 43-47 Bannerman Road Easton Bristol
Contact 0117 973 9312
Newcastle Reform Synagogue (Newcastle)
Visits and visitors are welcome by pre-arrangement.
Newcastle Reform Synagogue The Croft Kenton Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4RF
For a complete list of all Reform Jewish Synagogues visit
"Something Jewish" list Beth Shalom (Nottinghamshire)
This is
Britain's first Holocaust Memorial Centre and Education Centre.
It is located in Nottinghamshire.
Address Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Centre Laxton Newark Nottinghamshire NG22 0PA
Contact 01623 836 627
The Jewish Museum (Camden & Finchley London)
The museum offers lively social history displays tracing Jewish immigration and settlement in London. There is also a Holocaust Education Gallery. The museum has resources, including a teachers pack and activity sheets, loan boxes etc. Suitable for all age groups.
Address This is the museum which is normally located at Camden and Finchley. At present it is closed for re-development. In Spring 2009 it will re-open with a new building in Camden Town. All educational programmes are currently based at the West London Synagogue, Marble Arch.
Phone the museum office 0208 371 7373.Imperial War Museum London (London)
This page displays the Holocaust Exhibition at the IWM. Many schools visit this exhibition. Visits are carefully organised by the museum.
Address Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road London SE1 6HZ
Contact 0207 416 5320
SIKHISM
Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha (Glasgow)
This Gurdwara welcomes school visits and offers a tour of the building
Address Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha 138 Berkley Street Glasgow G3 7HY
Contact 0141 221 6698
Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha (Glasgow)
This Glasgow Gurdwara also welcomes visits from schools.
Address Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha 163 Nithsdale Road Glasgow G41
Contact 0141 423 828
Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (Sikh Temple) (Leeds)
The Administrator will arrange for schools to make visits, but he also travels round to schools. He offers an enormous range of activities. It may be a good idea to obtain an up to date price list for his services. His profile though looks impressive.
Address The Administrator Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (Sikh Temple) 78 Ladypit Lane Beeston Leeds West Yorkshire.
Contact 0113 2705680
Sikh Temple (Leeds)
To date I have no details about this community. The buildings look very impressive and it would be good to know if school groups can be catered for here.
Address The Sikh Temple/The Sikh Centre Brandon Way off Chapeltown Road Leeds 7.
Guru Nanak Sikh Museum (Leicester)
This museum has been open since 1992. Since then a valuable collection of exhibits, artefacts and paintings has been steadily built up, illustrating the origins and development of Sikh history and culture.
Address Guru Nanak Sikh Museum 9 Holy Bones Leicester LE1 4LJ
The Guru Nanak Sikh Museum is open to visitors on Thursdays from 1.00pm - 4.00pm. Other Times are by appointment. Group visits by appointment.
Tel / Fax : +44(0)116 262 8606
Email: info@thesikhmuseum.com
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwara (Manchester)
This is a purpose built Gurdwara. School visits are welcomed.
Address Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwara 15 Monton Street Moss Side Manchester M14 4LS.
Contact 0161 226 1131
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (Newcastle upon Tyne)
The Gurdwara was converted from an existing building. Schools are encouraged to visit. They are given a tour and a talk.
Address Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Tindale Close Off Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5SA
Contact 0191 273 8011 or 0191 273 4292
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Bhatra Singh Sabha (Preston Lancashire)
The Gurdwara welcomes school visits. Students are offered a tour and a talk about the building.
Guru Nanak Gurdwara Bhatra Singh Sabha 2 Clarendon Street Preston Lancashire PR1 3YN
Contact 01772 251008
Gurdwara Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khas (South Shields Tyne & Wear)
Students may visit the Gurdwara for a tour and a talk.
Gurdwara Khalsa Mero Roop Hai Khas West Way South Shields Tyne & Wear NE33 4SR
South Shields Sikh Temple (South Shields Tyne & Wear)
The Gurdwara welcomes school visits. Students may have a tour of the Gurdwara and a talk.
South Shields Sikh Temple 2 Dean Terrace South Shields Tyne & Wear
Contact 0191 232 4048
