Bringing Essex’s Ancient Past into the Classroom
10 November 2026
Discover the story that changed Britain with the Baddow Discover Box
What if a remarkable discovery made right here in Essex could transform the way your pupils experience the Iron Age and Roman Britain?
The Baddow Discover Box brings local history to life through one extraordinary find: the Great Baddow Coin Hoard. Developed in collaboration with Beehive Lane Community Primary School and Creative Practitioner Hannelore Smith, this hands-on learning resource helps children connect their local area to nationally significant events that shaped Britain’s past.
By combining replica artefacts, creative activities and historical investigation, this box enables pupils to become archaeologists, historians and storytellers as they uncover the secrets of a treasure buried more than 2,000 years ago!
The Story of the Great Baddow Coin Hoard
Discovered in Great Baddow, the Great Baddow Coin Hoard provides a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in British History.
Dating back to the transition from the Iron Age and Roman Britain, it offers evidence of conflict and power struggles between the Trinovantes tribe, who lived in Essex, and the neighbouring Catuvellauni.
Perhaps most significantly, these coins shed light on the events surrounding Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 54 BC and may help explain why his campaign provided successful. They provide clues and insights that cannot be seen through archaeology alone, making them one of Essex’s most important historical discoveries.
Find out more about The Great Baddow Coin HoardWhat’s Inside the Baddow Discover Box?
The Baddow Discover Box contains everything needed to bring history alive in the classroom.
It includes eight carefully planned lessons, which can be taught as a complete sequence, used as standalone activities, or adapted into a whole-day history experience.
What are the eight activities?
Pupils become archaeologists using metal detectors to uncover hidden finds before examining their discoveries and completing a finds record sheet.
Explore the coins in detail, discover how many were found, who produced them and what they reveal about the people who once lived in Essex.
Using a giant fabric timeline pupils investigate where the Great Baddow Coin Hoard fits within Britain’s long and complex history.
Research different people who made up Celtic society and present findings using peg dolls and replica objects.
How have people protected their most valuable possessions throughout history? Pupils investigate and then design and create their own vessels.
Pupils explore different theories about how such a large collection of gold coins ended up buried underground, before acting out their ideas and creating a storybook.
Pupils create their own educational game, from Top Trumps to Snakes and Ladders, helping them consolidate and share their own knowledge.
Who should own the discovered treasure? This engaging debate encourages pupils to develop speaking, listening and critical thinking skills while exploring real-life heritage questions.
Skills Beyond History
Every activity has been designed to support key educational outcomes, including:
Critical thinking
Curiosity and questioning
Communication and collaboration
Historical enquiry
Source investigation
Evidence interpretation
Narrative construction
Chronological understanding
Designed for Real Classrooms
Pupils tested activities, shared what they enjoyed, and helped shape the resources. This is truly a box designed by students, for students.
Because we know classrooms are busy places, all artefacts are high-quality replicas. If items become lost or damaged, they can be replaced, so please don't be afraid to let pupils fully explore and engage with the resources.
Object handling also teaches valuable life skills, helping children learn respect, responsibility, and care for objects beyond the classroom environment.
Book the Baddow Discover Box
For just £35 per half term, your school can bring this unique local story into the classroom and give pupils the opportunity to uncover one of Essex's most fascinating archaeological discoveries.
There is currently only one Baddow Discover Box available for loan, so early booking is recommended.
Bookings are now open for hires from January 2026. Visit our website to find out more and enquire about availability.
Book today and help your pupils discover how a coin hoard found in Great Baddow unlocked a story that changed Britain.
Contact our Learning team