THE ROUNDHOUSE
ROUNDHOUSE EVENTS
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​CHANGING SEASONS AND THE DEITIES: THROUGH PREHISTORIC EYES
A delve into the old deities and the seasonal festivals. What did they mean for our prehistoric ancestors?
Date TBC - Newton St Petrock village hall
Booking essential for all events
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For more information about any of our events, you can email us directly, or click on the Facebook icon, at the bottom of this page.
During 2021, we constructed an outdoor area, called the Roundhouse, within the wildlife field.
Measuring 2.4m in height and 6m in diameter, the Roundhouse is constructed from a combination of reclaimed material and treated construction timber. Being very conscious of waste, we've used materials which were left over from the Hayloft construction and our old gravel driveway. The base of the Roundhouse uses the old local stone, from part of our barn conversion. The upright posts are locally sourced chestnut. The beams and roofing are all treated timber, for safety reasons. The banks surrounding the Roundhouse and forecourt are made from the old driveway debris. To top it off, we have a green roof, to match the banks, which attracts a variety of insects.
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Standing in the wildlife field, the local inhabitants made use of it, during construction. The wrens and smaller birds feasted on the insects in the stone walling gaps, whilst the sparrowhawks and buzzards ate their prey on the beams, before the roof went on. Not to be left out, the foxes hoovered up any remains which were left under the beams, often leaving a rather pungent deposit, showing that they'd been there! The chrysalis of butterflies and moths now overwinter on the underside of the roof, proving that the Roundhouse certainly fits into it's surroundings.
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The inside has been furnished with benches and drapes, all decorated with patterns associated with the periods spanning from the Stone Age, up to Roman. A fire pit sits centrally and adds to the atmosphere within, as the light flickers on the stone walls. The surrounding earth banks insulate the space, making it very cosy. The forecourt, outside, offers another space for groups.
For pictures of the construction process, please see the pictures, below, or go to our Facebook page (link at the base of the page).
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Safety
Although we don't envisage any problems, there are several features built into the Roundhouse, to ensure visitors stay safe.
.Rails around the fire, act as a barrier to stop anybody falling.
.An emergency exit is at the back, opposite the front door, as an extra way of leaving in the event of any unforseen issues.
.The Tribal King and Queen's seats are situated under the emergency exit and are reinforced to take the weigh of several people climbing onto it.
.Vents surround the roofing eaves, allowing the smoke to disperse more rapidly, ensuring that most of the smoke inside, remains at the top of the roof.
.A small porch at the front allows visitors with breathing difficulties to sit and stay part of the group, inside, but with fresher air.
 Central posts |  Ring beams |
|---|---|
 Joists all on |  Banks built up |
 Roofing starts |  Internal walls begin to take shape |
 Roofing on |  Membrane and a helper |
 Layer for green roof |  Sides go on |
 Inside view |  Doorway |
Schools
With a background in Primary classroom teaching, for over 20 years, we know how beneficial it is for children to learn in different environments and approaches. Increasing costs of transport and pages of RA, taking a class or groups out on a visit can sometimes be off-putting. At the Roundhouse, we try to keep costs as low as possible and have our own RA for you to adapt, if required. Experience with our own classes means that we appreciate how important it is for a visit to be a success.
The Roundhouse field, with it's wide variety of wildlife, lends itself to Science topics, such as habitats, food chains and environmental issues. Whilst the Roundhouse can be used for History topics, but also for hosting storytellers, inspiration for writing or a cross-curricular day, covering many aspects of the curriculum.
History Days
The Roundhouse offers an atmospheric experience, cutting out most signs of the modern world. The children will be immersed into a Prehistoric time, where the activities reflect everyday life of our ancestors. They will have the chance to handle real artefacts from the Stone Age, through to Romans, as well as high quality replicas. With a keen interest in archaeology, we can provide the most up-to-date ideas about Prehistory in a child-friendly way.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
We can offer a full Prehistoric experience (Stone Age to Roman), or more specific, focusing on a particular era. These can be delivered in costume, where the children can join us, dressed in their best prehistoric finery, if preferred. Making it even more of a day to remember!
(We always have several spare costumes, so that those who may not be able to find a costume can still be included.) If you'd like your other topics combined with this (eg. materials, habitats etc) we will do so, when planning the day.
Visiting the Roundhouse.
As with any visit, you'll want to know whether it's suitable for your children. We encourage you to visit us, beforehand, so you can see the site and what we can offer. Either on your initial visit, or at another time, we can discuss what activities you'd like, from our selection, ensuring that your day is precisely what you want. It's also a chance to focus on any specific requirements or needs, as we will orientate activities towards certain children's needs. We can also look at the wider curriculum to see is we can make any links to other objectives.
If you'd like to book a day or half-day, then we'll provide our RA and ask a few questions concerning numbers, activities and needs. You're welcome to visit us, leading up to the day, if required. We're always on hand to help.
If you'd like more insight into the Prehistoric archaeology, near to your school, this can be provided on a map. This shows that there is so much under our feet, which people are not aware of.
Family groups
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We offer families and friends a chance to experience Prehistory, through a number of activities, such as cooking, torc-making, pottery and art. Please email us for more information.
Space for therapists and counselling
The Roundhouse field is secluded and private. It offers a peaceful space for visitors, amongst the
trees and wildflowers. The Roundhouse, set within earth banks, insulates you from the outside
world, giving a warm welcoming space.
Set within the wildlife field, there are small clearings within the trees and grasses, for individuals,
as well as our labyrinth. ​​​​​​​​​
Space for community groups
Whether you are a writing group, Historical society, or just people who are looking for a quirky venue, The Roundhouse can accommodate up to 15 adults (or 20, if you are very well aquainted!!). We also cater for interested Holiday Clubs.
Guests at the Hayloft
For those odd rainy days we get in N Devon (!!) we offer children's activities, along a forest schools approach, for visiting families. (Days dependent on other activities at the Roundhouse)
We also offer a family orientated Prehistoric session, where you can handle ancient artefacts and learn about the daily lives of our ancestors, through activities.
For more details, please ask on arrival, where we can give you a full list of what is available, during your stay.