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.
Outdoor
Outdoor
What is it?
The outdoors covers everything that isn’t contained with a building! You can do many things outdoors, from extreme sport to simple appreciation of the surroundings. The exact conditions of the outdoors vary hugely all over the planet from snow and ice to hot, arid desert to swamps, mountains, rivers and wildernesses, so the activities available will depend on the climate of the specified area.
What does it involve?
The varying nature of the outdoors means that it can involve almost anything! However, outdoor activities will always include some sort of interaction with the environment, whether it’s learning about nature and wildlife or travelling across challenging terrain.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
The increasingly technological society of today means it’s more important than ever to appreciate the outdoors, so spending time there and participating in activities should be an essential aspect of everybody’s lives and should definitely be included in a student’s education.
What equipment do we need?
You will need very different equipment depending on the activity you are participating in. For example, nature trails or hiking use very little equipment, whereas more complex activities such as abseiling will call for specific equipment – make sure to check ahead of time if you need to provide anything!
Who is it suitable for?
There will be an outdoors activity for people of absolutely any age and interest.
Costs?
Access to the outdoors is completely free, but the use of an activity provider will incur some costs; it will depend on the type of activity you do!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Any activity that takes you far away from medical assistance should be carried out with caution and extra safety measures, and younger students should always be supervised carefully when outdoors! Many activities need to be provided by AALS licensed providers.
How do we include?
This will again depend upon the specific activity, so check with the provider to see their specific set up and generally exercise common sense in regards to the activity and the needs of your student group. You must always try to include students unless you can evidence that their participation in any particular activity is dangerous to themselves or others. Often with straightforward reasonable adjustments students with a wide range of issues can take part in activities and this can provide life-enhancing opportunities for them. There are many excellent providers who will be used to including such students in activities so it is often a good idea to contact them to discuss this in advance.
Doing it abroad?
The outdoors varies greatly all over the world as the climate changes, so participating in activities outside will be a great idea wherever you are! Ensure, though, that the safety standards and recovery processes are in place to your satisfaction before you book the activity. You may find it difficult to get your money back from an overseas provider if you turn up and are not happy ot proceed but haven't made clear your requirements in advance.
Main websites:
Check out individual venue websites to see what sort of outdoor activities they have available!
Venues with this Activity
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!
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 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!
Cors Dyfi is a wonderful little nature reserve that is teaming with wildlife for most of the year. This is where the Dyfi Osprey Project is situated.
Welcome to our Wonderful World
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.
Explore a wild garden
Fyne Court was once a formal garden based on the Arcadian design. Over time the garden became wilder!
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
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 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.
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:
Chafford Gorges Nature Park offers a variety of activities for schools and nurseries. Topics covered: Habitats Studies, Ponds, Bugs, Plants, Rock and Soils, Bush craft and Den-building, Birdwatching. We have an on-site classroom, toilets, gift shop and more.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
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:
Iron Age hill fort and downland with views across the Marshwood Vale to the coast
A great place for walking, flying kites or simply taking in the extensive views of the surrounding countryside and the English Channel in the distance.
Enjoy beautiful Stratford from the river with us at Avon Boating.
The Avon winds gently through the town, surrounded on both banks by green parkland and flower filled gardens.
A great park with a formal area, plus a wildlife conservation area. It also has a brook, duckpond, bandstand, and playgrounds with separate areas for different ages. Splashpad for kids in the summer. Free to visit.
Grassy slopes, the lake, historic buildings, old trees and hedges recall Abbey Fields’ past, while the new play area contributes to the modern side with a fully fenced in zone for the little ones to run wild on the equipment.
Adjacent there is also a 25-metre heated indoor pool and outdoor pool in the summer.
With the timeline wall, habitat and church trails, adventure play areas and wide open country side, if you've got kids that like to run and run this one is for you!
The area was originally a gravel works, but has now been transformed into an attractive parkland setting covering 200 acres which is welcoming to visitors and encourages peace and relaxation.
Located at the western tip of the Ardmeanach peninsula on the island of Mull, this nature reserce is recognised as a National Scenic Area and a Special Area of Conservation, but is probably best known for being home to MacCulloch's fossil tree. Ranger-led activities to meet curriculum requirements can be organised by arrangement.
Stuffed to the turrets with antique furniture, paintings and ceramics, the legacy of generations of Clan Brodie, this 16th-century castle is a slice of Scottish history not to be missed.
This fairytale castle, a fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture, seems to have grown naturally out of the rolling hills. The great tower stands just as it did when completed in 1626. The castle is home to a fine collection of family portraits and original plaster ceilings.
Castle Fraser is an atmospheric baronial castle dating back to the 15th century and was the ancestral home of the Fraser family. School trips can be arranged over the phone at any time of the year. If the tour is arranged out of season there will be a small fee to cover the cost of staff.
This park provides an attractive gateway into Sandwell being located off the busy Hagley Road Junction, with beautiful Shakespeare Gardens. Work on a national lottery application is currently underway to restore the Grade II listed bandstand, Grade II listed house and the landscape.
Unspoilt, rolling hills – that’s what you will discover at Burton Dassett Hills. Whether you are walking, flying a kite or just sitting in your car, the magnificent views from these hills are breathtaking.
The site comprises a series of rugged hilltops affording spectacular views in all directions and Fox Covert, a small woodland with a surfaced footpath.
The heart of the property is the formal walled garden originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s, the Trust set about re-creating the gardens following designs dating from the 17th century.
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