Wildlife and Nature

Wildlife and Nature

What are they and what do they involve?

Wildlife and nature venues focus upon aspects such as the local environment and showcasing wildlife in their intended habitats. Falconry centres and forest exploration are good examples of what you can expect from such a venue; the emphasis is always on the more natural elements of the world around us, and how we can help it to flourish.

What are the benefits?

In a similar manner to a Zoo/Wildlife Park and an Environment Centre, these venues are excellent ways of educating students about the world around them in an accompaniment to their classroom learning. Experiencing wildlife in their natural habitats and seeing the effect humans can have upon them can be a new and memorable experience for many students, especially those from large cities!

What students is it suitable for?

Wildlife and Nature venues should interest students of all ages and tastes, but some extremely young students may get a little bored if the activity isn’t engaging enough; make sure the venue suits your specific group of pupils.

Costs?

Entry fees to wildlife and nature venues should normally come in under £10 – however, big establishments such as the Eden Project may run higher!

Safety Implications?

As with any outdoor activities, it’s important to make sure student groups are properly supervised and that the pupils obey any safety instructions issued to them on the day!

Venues for this Category

Spectacular and varied lakeland landscape around Derwentwater

Derwentwater is often called the 'Queen of the Lakes', and as you canoe between the islands with your picnic at the ready it's easy to see why. The friendly staff at our shop and information centre on the Keswick Foreshore will help you out with local knowledge about canoeing, interesting things to see and walks to do.

Famous for our red squirrels, wildlife and Scouting

Brownsea Island is dramatically located in Poole Harbour, with spectacular views across to the Purbeck Hills.

Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths

Lying on the north western edge of the Lake District National Park, Ennerdale is home to some of England’s most vibrant natural environments and one of the longest running wild land restoration projects in the UK.

Beautiful wooded valley with 19th-century Gibson Mill at its heart

A beauty spot of the South Pennines with more than 160 hectares (400 acres) of unspoilt woodland.

As well as being the home of the northern hairy wood ant, there are tumbling streams, glorious waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit, all crisscrossed by more than 15 miles (24km) of footpaths.

Valleys of many delights

The valleys descend from the highest and wildest mountains all the way to the beautiful sandy beaches on Cumbria’s peaceful western coast. The landscape provides everything from grandeur and beauty to tranquillity and remoteness.

Tranquil area of dramatic fells, farms and woodland, encompassing three lakes

Buttermere in Old English means 'the lake by the dairy pastures'. Large numbers of Vikings settled in Cumbria during the 9th and 10th centuries and many names in the area are of Norse origin.

A spectacular landscape of curious contrasts

The St Just coast boasts spectacular cliffs which lead from turbulent Atlantic seas, to a flat plateau of granite, capped by small agricultural fields. Here, since the Bronze Age, tin has been pulled and pushed out of the earth.

Unspoilt island, home to a fascinating array of wildlife amidst dramatic scenery

Undisturbed by cars, the island encompasses a small village with an inn and Victorian church, and the 13th-century Marisco Castle.

There's also a disused lighthouse to discover. Called the Old Light, it offers superb views over the north part of the island.

Streams of lichen-rich sarsen stones

Sheltered valleys containing well developed 'boulder streams' of sarsen stones. Sarsen stones are of ecological interest for the lichens and mosses they support as well as geological importance.

The sites were purchased in 1908 following a public appeal and were our first countryside properties in Wiltshire. Prior to this, sarsen stones were removed to provide building materials.

One of the largest remaining areas of heathland in East Hampshire

Ludshott Common covers 285 ha (705 acres) and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) because of its wildlife.

Heather-clad moors of Kinder to the gritstone tors of Derwent Edge

The wild Pennine moorlands are of international importance for their populations of breeding birds and mosaic of habitats.

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex

A remote island in the Blackwater Estuary and cut off at high tide, visiting Northey's a unique pleasure.

Northey was to become the oldest recorded battlefield in Britain when Viking raiders used the island as a base during the Battle of Maldon in AD991, an encounter also mentioned in England's earliest known poem.

Sometimes described as ‘the islands at the edge of the world’, the archipelago of St Kilda is located 41 miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Formed from the rim of an ancient volcano, it is the remotest part of the British Isles.

The Falconry Centre contains many species of birds of prey, flown by the resident Falconer. You are able to fly some of the beautiful birds yourself.

A natural pier with dramatic cliffs and Victorian fort

Brean Down is a wonderful location for a day out in Somerset. Enjoy relaxing on the beach at the foot of the Down, building sandcastles and visiting the Cove Café for a seaside treat.

Venture to the top of the Down and take the exhilarating 1.5 mile walk along Somerset’s greatest natural pier.

Snowdon's pastoral foothills reach down to the sea

South and west of Beddgelert lies the wooded foothills and mellow farmland known as Eifionydd. The woodlands of the Vale of Maentwrog are internationally important for their wildlife and the coastline has been sculpted into sweeping sandy or shingle bays.

Moorland nature reserve with unusual and unique rock formations

The Bridestones has peculiar shaped rocks, heather moorland, ancient woodland, herb-rich meadows. Blakey Topping has superb all-round views.

NWT Hickling Broad offers groups an expansive landscape with wide skies, open spaces and plenty of wild places to explore. Large groups can spread out by having sessions in different habitats around the site, including boat trips on the largest expanse of open water in the Broads system.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s, Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve (part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve) is bursting with wildlife. Famous for its spectacular waterfalls and scenic woodland walks. In spring the woodland floor us abound with colourful wildflowers. Alive with bird song; over 100 species having made this reserve their home.

NWT Cley Marshes, only 6km from Holt, provides groups with great opportunities to explore both coastal and wetland habitats. Include a visit to our award winning eco-friendly visitor centre. Your group can find out about its green sedum roof and innovative green technologies including wind turbine and rain water harvesting systems. The panoramic view across the Marshes is stunning.

This spectacular wetland site covers an area of 450 hectares following the River Idle northwards. The size of 600 football pitches, it is one of the largest sites for nature conservation in the East Midlands.

· Fun, interactive and exciting sessions designed to engage youngsters and to experience the natural environment in new ways.

· We have an outdoor classroom site next to Margrove Heritage Centre.  It has a mixture of woodland, meadow and ponds with access along a secluded footpath.

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