National War Museum
If you're studying war, the military or conflict, a visit to the National War Museum can be a unique and exciting experience for your pupils.
The National War Museum is located within Edinburgh Castle. It is is open 7 days a week. We offer both self-led school visits and staff-led workshops.
Select your visit type
Preparing for your visit
What can my class see and do?
- Explore the history of conflict through our themed galleries.
- Follow the First War trail or Maths at the Castle trail
- Visit our special exhibition gallery
- Visit the rest of Edinburgh Castle as part of your day
Do I need to book in advance?
To ensure your visit runs smoothly, all school visits to the National War Museum must be booked in advance.
How much does a visit cost?
Workshops
£100 UK local authority schools
£150 independent and non-UK schools
Free 20% of our workshops are available free of charge to schools in SIMD 1&2 areas and all special schools (Scotland only). Offer is subject to availability.
Self-led visits
Self-led school visits and downloadable resources are free of charge.
Do you offer travel subsidies?
As the National War Museum is situated within Edinburgh Castle, a travel subsidy is available from Historic Environment Scotland. If applying for this subsidy please ensure you quote ‘visiting Edinburgh Castle/National War Museum’.
When should we arrive?
Please arrive on time to allow yourself time to travel to the museum from the Castle Esplanade. In busy periods, this can take up to 20 minutes.
Edinburgh Castle will be busier by mid-afternoon so please ensure you leave 20 minutes to return to your bus at the end of the day.
Can I download resources for my visit?
We have a range of resources available to use in both the classroom and museum. You can find them in the Schools resources section.
Visual Stories
You can help your class prepare for, and plan, their visit using our Visual Stories.
During your visit
How do we find the National War Museum?
The National War Museum is located within Edinburgh Castle. You can download a map to help you find us.
The National War Museum is location number 5.
Is there parking for our bus or minibus?
There is a coach drop-off point at the bottom of the Castle Esplanade and on Johnston Terrace.
Where can we eat our lunch?
Due to renovation works, there is currently no indoor lunch area at Edinburgh Castle. Lunches can be eaten in the Castle grounds.
Where can we leave our bags and coats?
School groups who have booked a facilitated session can store coats, bags and packed lunches on the coat pegs situated outside the Education Room.
Self-led groups will need to carry their jackets and bags with them. Please do not bring any items that you are unable to carry during your visit.
Is the space we'll be visiting fully accessible?
Our facilitated session Second World War Explorer takes place in the National War Museum’s Education Room. The Education Room is located on the third floor with no lift access. Should your group have access requirements, please contact schools@nms.ac.uk.
You can find full information about access across the Castle in the Edinburgh Castle Access Guide.
Can we look round the rest of Edinburgh Castle?
Yes, your booking allows you to explore the rest of the Castle. For full details about which sections are currently open, please see the Edinburgh Castle Access Guide.
Can we take photographs?
Yes.
Please check special exhibitions and other areas around Edinburgh Castle as photography restrictions may apply.
Is there a shop and a café?
There is a small shop in the National War Museum. There is also a shop at the ticket point when you enter/exit the Castle. Please ensure there is a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children when in shop.
There are a number of cafés located around Edinburgh Castle. Packed lunches cannot be eaten within them.
Do you have a risk assessment we can use?
Historic Environment Scotland will provide you with the relevant guidelines to assist you in writing your own risk assessment.
Do you have safety guidelines?
We ask that pupils visiting in school groups are accompanied at all times during their visit at a ratio of:
- 1 adult: 5 pupils (under the age of 5)
- 1 adult: 10 pupils (primary school pupils)
- 1 adult: 15 pupils (secondary school pupils)
Where pupils require support on a 1:1 ratio, this adult should be included over and above these ratios.
Please read and follow any safety notices and instructions from Visitor Experience staff.
How do we cancel our visit?
We understand that you may need to cancel or change your booking. Please contact us as soon as possible to let us know of any changes.
Facilitated sessions: schools@nms.ac.uk.
Self-led visits: learning@hes.scot
Contact list of staff members
Schools visits at National War Museum