Impossible Creatures self-led trail pack - Old Royal Naval College

Impossible Creatures: Notes for a self-led visit
Thank you for downloading one of our self-led trails to explore the Old Royal Naval
College with your class.
Our site can get busy with booked in school groups, tours, concerts, weddings and
filming and certain public areas may not always be open to the public, so even if you
are planning a self-led visit to the site please book in your class by contacting the
Learning Team on 020 8269 4711 or learning@ornc.org
In this pack you will find:
General notes for self-led trails
A copy of the trail (4 pages)
An adult copy of the trail with answers in red (4 pages)
An accompanying trail map
We hope you enjoy exploring the rich history and stunning architecture of the Old Royal
Naval College.
The Learning Team
Old Royal Naval College

General notes for self-led trails
You may find it useful to split the class into adult-led groups before your visit.
• If your trail takes you into the Discover Greenwich visitor centre, each adult-led group
should start in a different section so that the whole class is not trying to find the same
thing at the same time.
• If your trail takes you outside, we recommend that you work as a whole class.
• Encourage the pupils to work together and stay in their groups.
• Please be considerate to other visitors in the centre and grounds.
• If you are unsure where something is, do ask our helpful yeoman guides and
volunteers in the Painted Hall, Chapel and Discover Greenwich visitor centre.
• These questions are just ideas so if you see something else interesting please go
and have a look and don’t worry if you don’t get through all the questions.
• If your trail doesn’t go into Discover Greenwich you are welcome to come in and
explore in adult-led groups at the end of your trail.
Each group leader or adult is responsible for:
• Keeping their group together
• Helping their group with the questions
• Ensuring their group behave sensibly and responsibly

Impossible Creatures
The animals and monsters of the Old Royal Naval College
Greenwich Palace: Tudor dig
1. Find the stained glass windows that show the coats of arms
of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Which animal has been used in the window decoration?
__________________________
Why might a king use this animal as a special symbol?
________________________________________________________________________
2. Nearby there is a picture of a large gold coin.
What mythical creature is shown on the coin?_______________________
Name one of its special powers. _________________________________
3. Find this object. The ancient Greeks told a myth about why this
bird’s feathers look like they have eyes on.
What bird do you think it is? _______________________
Greenwich Palace: Buildings
4. Try on the replica armour. How does wearing the helmet make you feel? ______________
5. Find the model of the tiltyard where the king used to joust.
What animals are used in jousting? _________________
6. Why might all the horses be wearing different colours?
______________________________________________________
7. Think of another animal it might be fun to ride on during a joust. ____________________

Royal Hospital for Seamen: Pensioner Cabins
The Greenwich Pensioners were the old sailors who lived in Greenwich Hospital.
Find the cabin that you can walk into. Each sailor had a room like this.
8. Is this room bigger or smaller than your bedroom? _______________
9. Name some animals you can see in this room.
________________________________________________________
10. Come and try on our Greenwich Pensioner costumes.
Why might a Greenwich Pensioner have to wear a yellow coat? ______________________
What animal’s name was the nickname for a Pensioner in a yellow coat? ______________
Royal Hospital for Seamen: Picture Wall
11. Find the large picture at the bottom right corner of the picture wall.
What is strange about this picture? ______________________________
What animals can you see in this picture? ____________________________
Craftsmanship
12. Find the moulds of angel’s wings. Think of two words to describe how an angel’s wing
might feel.
____________________ and ____________________
Can you name a mythical creatures with wings? ___________________
13. Behind you there are three stone heads.
What animal is in the middle? _________________________________
14. Find another stone lion nearby and stand in front of him.
Can you think of a famous lion? _______________________________
What sort of character are they? ______________________________

Head out into the grounds as a whole class to finish your trail
OUTSIDE: Lower Grand Square
15. Find this pediment (triangle shape) on the buildings.
This Greek god was very important to the sailors who lived here in
the hospital.
What animal does he have with him? _________________________________
Which Greek god might he be? ______________________________________
16. There are lots of stone heads on the outside of these buildings. Can you find this one?
You might have to look up very high!
He is a satyr and was often shown with the god of
wine, Dionysus. He is half human, half goat.
17. Draw yourself as a stone head with big ears!

If you are outside…
choose your favourite view of the buildings and draw it below, filling the page
If you are in Discover Greenwich…
find your favourite object or painting and draw it below, filling the page

Impossible Creatures
The animals and monsters of the Old Royal Naval College
Greenwich Palace: Tudor dig
1. Find the stained glass windows that show the coats of arms
of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Which animal has been used in the window decoration?
A lion
Why might a king use this animal as a special symbol?
A king might want to have an animal that symbolised power and strength.
Question: Ask pupils which words might be used to describe a lion.
2. Nearby there is a picture of a large gold coin.
What mythical creature is shown on the coin?
A dragon
Name one of its special powers. A dragon can fly and breathe fire.
Question: What can dragons do?
3. Find this object. The ancient Greeks told a myth about why this
bird’s feathers look like they have eyes on.
Clue: This bird has beautiful tail feathers.
What bird do you think it is?
Peacock
Greenwich Palace: Buildings
4. Try on the replica armour. How does wearing the helmet make you feel? ______________
TIP: Encourage all pupils to describe how they feel.
5. Find the model of the tiltyard where the king used to joust.
What animals are used in jousting? Horses
Question: ask the pupils if they know how jousting was played.
6. Why might all the horses be wearing different colours?
So you can tell who’s who.
Question: Why do football teams wear different kits?
7. Think of another animal it might be fun to ride on during a joust. ____________________
Tip: Ask pupils to think about some unlikely or crazy animals.

Royal Hospital for Seamen: Pensioner Cabins
The Greenwich Pensioners were the old sailors who lived in Greenwich Hospital.
Find the cabin that you can walk into. Each sailor had a room like this.
8. Is this room bigger or smaller than your bedroom? _______________
9. Name some animals you can see in this room. Sea birds
10. Come and try on our Greenwich Pensioner costumes.
Why might a Greenwich Pensioner have to wear a yellow coat?
As a punishment
What animal’s name was the nickname for a Pensioner in a yellow coat?
Question: Ask the pupils why they might be called canaries.
Canaries
Royal Hospital for Seamen: Picture Wall
11. Find the large picture at the bottom right corner of the picture wall.
What is strange about this picture? It changes when you move.
Tip: get the pupils to stand in front of the picture and sway from side to side.
What animals can you see in this picture? A dog and a goat.
Craftsmanship
12. Find the moulds of angel’s wings. Think of two words to describe how an angel’s wing
might feel. Soft, fluffy, feathery, delicate.
Tip: Encourage pupils to use descriptive words.
Can you name a mythical creatures with wings? ________________
13. Behind you there are three stone heads.
What animal is in the middle? ________________________
14. Find another stone lion nearby and stand in front of him.
Can you think of a famous lion? _______________________
What sort of character are they? _______________________
Tip: Encourage pupil to think if the character is good or bad, strong or weak.

Head out into the grounds as a whole class to finish your trail
OUTSIDE: Lower Grand Square
15. Find this pediment (triangle shape) on the buildings.
This Greek god was very important to the sailors who lived here in
the hospital.
What animal does he have with him? A large fish / sea creature with fierce teeth.
Which Greek god might he be? Poseidon, God of the sea.
16. There are lots of stone heads on the outside of these buildings. Can you find this one?
You might have to look up very high!
Clue: He is on the outside of the dome.
He is a satyr and was often shown with the god of
wine, Dionysus. He is half human, half goat.
17. Draw yourself as a stone head with big ears!

If you are outside…
choose your favourite view of the buildings and draw it below, filling the page
If you are in Discover Greenwich…
find your favourite object or painting and draw it below, filling the page