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!
Offering a weird and exciting mix of public aquarium plus thermal carp pool, creepy petrifying well, shiny gemstone and fossil display, vintage chinaware collection, regional history exhibition and one of the largest public displays of Holograms in Europe!
The Thermal Pool is fed by a warm spring and illuminated at night, containing plentiful common carp, mirror carp and koi.
Discover the beautiful countryside and rugged scenery of Marsden Moor. With more than 5000 acres of moorland to explore, there is always something new to see.
In this most southerly part of rural Derbyshire, Beehive Farm Woodland Lakes offers visitors lots of fun ways to enjoy a very special corner of the New National Forest. They have over 66 acres of emerging young woodland to explore with thriving wildlife, fishing lakes and a family-friendly animal farm.
Jimmy’s Farm caters to large or small groups seeking education and/or adventure!
We offer formally structured courses for children and young people…
For centuries people have been drawn to this inspiring place.
From humble beginnings the magnificent abbey was established by devout monks seeking a simpler existence. The atmospheric ruins that remain are a window into a way of life which shaped the medieval world.
A step into Lanlay Meadows is a step back in time, where sprawling, unkempt hedgerows meet gnarled, twisted old oak trees.
Farmed for centuries, this small fragment of land has lain unchanged for decades, avoiding the wrath of today's flail hedge trimmers and fertilisers and becoming a rare haven for a huge array of wildlife.
The Reserve covers 369 acres of the Meon Valley, encompassing a mosaic of natural habitats. River, fen, pools, reedbed and meadow are carefully managed, giving protection to a range of special wildlife.
Educational Visits
Middleton Hall is a "unique" Grade II-listed country house in Staffordshire. The hall shows evidence of several phases of English domestic architecture from the late thirteenth to the early nineteenth century. There is a fine Great Hall that is of Tudor origin, which makes a classic setting for weddings, for performances and for parties.
A magical land of power and influence for more than 2,000 years, Dinefwr Park and Castle is an iconic place in the history of Wales. Two forts are evidence of a dominant Roman presence. The powerful Lord Rhys held court at Dinefwr and influenced decisions in Wales.
The visionaries, George and Cecil Rice designed the superb 18th-century landscape that you see today.
Two nature reserves, a huge open field, busy Countryside Centre with cafe facilities, adventure play area and easy access from the city or the motorway, make this site very popular with a variety of visitors. Whether you are looking for birds, swings, coffee, flowers, footpaths or all of these and more, you've come to the right place at Worcester Woods Country Park.
A spectacular coastline, combined with a lively working Cornish port, lends this area its unique character and charm.
There's a network of footpaths to discover, making the area great walking country, with the South West Coast Path offering sweeping views and a few hilly challenges.
One of the most elegant country houses in East Anglia, the Hall is a place of surprises and delights, a mixture of opulence and homeliness where each room has something to feed the imagination. From the stained glass windows in the great hall to the nodding mandarins in the chinese bedroom; from Queen Mary's teapot in the dining room to the copper pans in the kitchen. Story boxes for the childr
Over 260 animal species in over 160 acres of stunning gardens and parkland. Giraffe Walkway, Lemur Walk-through exhibit, Train, Adventure Playground, Picnic Areas, Children's Farmyard, Brass Rubbing, Tropical House, Reptile House, Bat House and Insect House.
The Farne Islands lie two to three miles off the Northumberland coast midway between the fishing village of Seahouses and the magnificent Castle of Bamburgh. As well as being the most famous Sea Bird Sanctuary in the British Isles they also have a large colony of Atlantic or Grey Seals.
This elegant country manor and tranquil garden sit so harmoniously within the landscape that one cannot exist without the other.
Belfast Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals and 150 species. Many of our animals are under threat in their natural habitat.
Some of the animals you can see include:
Twycross Zoo has been providing the exciting opportunity to get close to wildlife for over 50 years and has achieved well-respected status as one of Britain's major zoos, attracting half a million visitors each year.
Includes sheep, cattle, dogs and geese. Large shop with sheepskin rugs, sheepy gifts, clothing, books etc
Come indoors and be enthralled & educated in our unique farm show. Includes sheep, cattle, dogs and geese. Large shop with sheepskin rugs, sheepy gifts, clothing, books etc. Our cafe serves hot meals & snacks. Licensed bar. Lots of free parking.
For a great family day out in beautiful surroundings and the opportunity to see spectacular flying demonstrations, it’s a visit not to be missed. It’s also a great photography opportunity and courses with experts are also available. For a great present you can also book special experience days and get to handle the birds.
Explore 270 acres (110 hectares) of ancient parkland, where a historic herd of fallow deer roams freely and magnificent trees and breathtaking views abound.
Brandon Marsh is the ideal place for your school visit due to its excellent opportunities for learning about nature, wildlife and the environment. We have ponds, bird hides, meadows and woodlands all set within our 200 acre nature reserve. The Education Team can provide your school with a tailor made package for your day where you can cover up to four topics.
A rare gem of a Jacobean country house, Chastleton House was built between 1607 and 1612 by a prosperous wool merchant as an impressive statement of wealth and power.
Owned by the same increasingly impoverished family until 1991, the house remained essentially unchanged for nearly 400 years as the interiors and contents gradually succumbed to the ravages of time.
The Folly Farm Centre is an environmental learning centre in the heart of the Chew Valley. Set in Avon Wildlife Trust's 250-acre nature reserve, it is an inspirational place to pick up new skills, learn and engage with an exciting and diverse programme of courses.
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.