What is it?
Interactions with animals can vary immensely; they can range from big establishments with no animal contact such as zoos, small animals at a farm park.
What does it involve?
The basis of all encounters with animals is to interact with them! Sometimes it may be from a distance to ensure safety on both sides, but you can often get up close; you can train and even ride some animals.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Spending time with animals has been proven to be beneficial in many aspects of life and development - it can teach things such as compassion, responsibility, and discipline for both yourself and others.
What equipment do we need?
Depending on what sort of animal encounter it is, the equipment involved will vary. For example, riding a horse requires a lot more specialist equipment than stroking a cat! Make sure to check with your destination to see if you need to bring anything.
Who is it suitable for?
Animal encounters are suitable for pretty much anyone - always be careful with smaller children though, as they may not understand how to handle them properly.
Costs?
Can vary from free to reasonably expensive. Grounds that are open to the public and free to enter can often have wildlife roaming around to admire, but more extravagant establishments such as zoos with many more animals will undoubtedly cost more!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Be aware of allergies when it comes to animal encounters; although mild allergies are much more common, the risk of a student having a severe reaction means you should exercise caution if there is going to be physical contact with an animal.
How do we include?
It will depend entirely on the type of animal encounter, but in general these kinds of activities will be great to include all students in, as everyone can interact with an animal in some manner.
Doing it abroad?
The variety of animals abroad will often vary greatly from our own, and encountering them can be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Foreign nature and safari parks can be great places to visit, so make sure to check out your destination thoroughly to see if there's one you can take a trip to.
Main website:
Check out individual websites for specific information on what's available for you to do!
What's on offer?
The centre houses a wide variety of animals including:
exotic birds
mammals including meerkats, porcupine, prairie dogs and mara
domestic species including rabbits, chickens and kune kune pigs
The centre is a small award winning zoo.
An unforgettable day of fun, action, new experiences and a bit of learning for families with children up to the age of 12 in a lovely, safe and happy environment. Lots of indoor activities, a daily programme of shows and different seasonal events whenever the kids are on holiday – from Easter Eggstravaganza through to Winter Wonderland.
Meet plenty of furry friends, enjoy Animal Activities and Demonstrations and discover the Giant Indoor Playbarn! Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's stacks of animal fun and indoor play at Odds Farm Park.
Newham City Farm is one of London's longest established, as well as one of its largest city farms.
They are home to an extensive range of farmyard favourites and rare breeds – from a huge Shire Horse to tiny birds as well as cows, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens, rabbits, fish, a peacock and even a harris hawk.
A variety of interesting farm zoo animals which originate from across the world including camels, adventure playground, plus let the kids pick their own fruits and vegetables.
A lovely park that is free to visit and has plenty to keep everyone amused, including children’s play area, skate park, a bandstand, boat trips on the river, and water play fountains!
Glenariff Forest Park is one of the 9 Antrim Glens, and has over 1,000 hectares to explore, half of which is full of trees, the other a mix of small lakes, open spaces, lakes and waterfalls. Several trails to follow, including the Waterfall Walkway.
Milk a cow by hand; take part in their Animal Feeding Tour; watch the machine milking; Visit Mini Farm World, Pets' Corner and the Play Area; follow the Farm Trail; take a trailer ride around the farm; and admire the panoramic views across four counties!
The Look Out Discovery Centre has over 90 exhibits suitable for children of all ages. Toddlers and younger children love the indoor stream, mini supermarket and soft play area. Older children through to adults will be fascinated by the hands-on science exhibits and puzzles.
Deen City Farm is a unique, educational resource in SW London, open free of charge.
Our aim is to give people the opportunity to learn from their visit and contribution to a Working Farm.
The Farm is based on National Trust land (part of the Morden Hall Park Estate) and you can reach the Farm after a pleasant stroll from Morden across Morden Hall Park.
The healthy working Pink Pig Farm welcomes families for the full farm to fork experience (if you can handle it that candidly!) with happy animals to visit both in the paddocks and the Charcuterie!
The indoor Play Barn features oodles of soft play facilities, giant lego plus play kitchens, excellent for keeping damp smalls busy tip the rain clears up!
Once the grandest and most striking house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe's 18th century baroque elegance is still notable today in the partly restored shell of the building. Admire the delightful east front and stroll peacefully through 'Capability' Brown's idyllic ornamental 11 acres of grounds. Treat yourself in our well stocked and attractive souvenir shop.
BeWILDerwood is 50 acres of wild, outdoor treehouse adventure park. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, boat trips, marsh walks and adventure!
BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and a hint of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads.
Westhay Moor is a beautiful nature reserve to explore with its shimmering lakes and reed beds, birds singing and signs of life all around.
Fifty acres of lakes, temples, cascades, tranquil woodland walks, formal terraces, vivid colours and views that take your breath away...
Bird adventure trail, Teddy Bear's Picnic, Living things and their habitats, Nature sensory explorers, Orchards (food and farming), Marvellous Meadows, Seasonal investigation, Seasonal crafts
Our fantastic new Visitor Centre offers a modern base for your visit. Discover a wide range of Environmental Education programmes and also visit the nearby water treatment works to learn about the water cycle.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
Key Stage 1:
Our Education Centre at Magor Marsh is able to cater for groups of up to 32 children and for a variety of age ranges from pre-school and beyond, including teacher training days at all times of year! All our activities have been designed specifically for schools by qualified teachers and a teacher and forest school leader is available at the centre to discuss your individual requirements.
A short stroll from the charming village of Gleno, steps and paths wind around a small glen with one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Northern Ireland.
Don't miss this favourite photographic location with visitors coming from near and far.
Fingringhoe Wick is one of the county’s top wildlife sites. Uncover the secrets of woodlands, meadows, ponds, heathland and the Colne Estuary. Our varied hands-on Environmental Education programme caters to all ages, from bug hunts for the early years to vegetation sampling for secondary pupils.
EYFS:
Leith Hill is the highest point in Southeast England and is set within the beautiful Surrey
Rainton Meadows is a nature reserve just to the east of East Rainton, Sunderland.
Enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful Yorkshire manor house, nestled on the quiet banks of the River Rye.
Explore the period rooms whilst hearing the Hall's many tales and discover one of the world's finest collections of miniature rooms in the attic.
The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum has a wonderful story to tell.
Standing at 180ft tall, this is Britain's largest chalk hill figure. It is also our most controversial.
Many theories surround the giant's identity. Is it an ancient symbol of spirituality? The Greco-Roman hero Hercules? Or a mockery of Oliver Cromwell? Local folklore has long held it to be an aid to fertility.
A beautiful area with stunning views over the River Dart estuary and Start Bay.
In spring and summer the coastal paths are ablaze with colour from wild flowers. Walk up to Gallants Bower to discover the Royalist Civil War fort and keep an eye out for the greater spotted woodpecker.
Gallants Bower
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.