Wembury in South Devon is a wildlife magnet. Its rocky cliffs are home to nesting sea birds, while a rocky shore, slate reefs and massive wave-cut platforms provide one of the UK's best spots for marine life.
Early Years (2-4)
Early Years (2-4)
In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
Suitable Venues
A striking landmark on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
The Wellington Monument stands as a tribute to the Duke of Wellington and his victory at the Battle of Waterloo.
Dramatic river gorge, ancient woodlands, tea garden and shop in stunning surroundings
Take a stroll around the 2,000 acres of Watersmeet and Countisbury, a haven for wildlife and breathtaking views.
On Exmoor, Watersmeet is the meeting place of the East Lyn river and Hoar Oak Water.
Explore the rich woodlands of the Lyn Valley and stroll along the riverside at Lynmouth, Combe Park and Rockford.
Discover Wallington, much-loved home to generations of the unconventional Trevelyan family
Gifted to you by Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan, Socialist MP and ‘illogical Englishman’, our 13,000-acre estate has something for everyone.
Area of classic Yorkshire Dales countryside
Along the Upper Wharfe Valley the characteristic dry-stone walls and barns of the Dales, important flower-rich hay meadows, beautiful riverside and valleyside woodland combine to create a wonderful place to relax and explore the great outdoors.
Uppark: a tranquil and intimate 18th-century house
Perched on its vantage point high on the South Downs ridge, Uppark commands views as far south as the English Channel. Outside, the intimate gardens are being gradually restored to their original 18th-century design, with plenty of space in the adjacent meadow to play and relax with a picnic. The nearby woodland is great for exploring and den-building.
Elizabethan manor house with fine interiors and delightful garden
An intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem, Trerice remains little changed by the advances in building fashions over the centuries, thanks to long periods under absentee owners.
Today the renowned stillness and tranquillity of Trerice is much prized by visitors.
Tranquil varied garden in fabulous position, with a superb collection of tender and exotic plants
Explore Trengwainton’s 25 acres and discover special plants nurtured for generations by those with a passion for their beauty and extraordinary story.
Spring comes early here with champion magnolias flowering from February onwards. Peer skywards to see their huge waxy blooms outlined against the sky, or look down to spot snowdrops lining the winding wooded paths.
Elegant town house dating from medieval times
Only a few metres from York Minster, this was the first house ever given to the National Trust complete with a collection - and it is not all that it first seems.
It has a history spanning 2,000 years, from the Roman road in the cellar to the Edwardian servants' quarters in the attics, and thirteen period rooms in between.
Enjoy a great morning out walking exploring Somerset Wildlife Trust's reserves close to Mendip’s iconic Cheddar Gorge. These wildlife havens are also great places to see how the landscape has been shaped by the areas industrial history.
Gorge of the River Allen with ornamental and ancient woodland
Take a walk on the wild side at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge, one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in Northumberland.
This extensive area of gorge and river scenery, including the 41-hectare (101-acre) Stawardpeel Site of Special Scientific Interest, has miles of waymarked walks through ornamental and ancient woods.
Hear it, feel it, see it, do it
Be at the heart of the action and explore your industrial past along the scenic walk taking in the ten award-winning Ironbridge Gorge Museums spread along the valley beside the wild River Severn.
See the products that set industry on its path and the machines that made them. Watch and talk to the Museums’ craftsmen and costumed demonstrators.
Family fun and adventure in the heart of the English Lake District
The bustling Lake District villages of Windermere and Ambleside are situated around lake Windermere, England’s longest lake. With fells, woodland, parks, the quirky little Bridge House and a Roman fort on offer, this part of the Lake District is great for families looking for fun in the great outdoors.
The eclectic collection at Arlington Court tells the story of a family who lived on the estate for more than 600-years. Discover for yourself the museum-like hoard amassed by Miss Rosalie Chichester, during her 84-years living at Arlington.
Wonderful landscape for walking (and running!), with splendid views and fun interactive games in the Visitor Centre for the kids.
Ashridge Estate is a vast 2,00 hectare swathe of beautiful woodlands and chalk downland at the north end of the Chiltern Hills.
Features include:
This landmark building, formerly Belmont Primary School, has a history dating back to the 1890s
The Gothic-styled late Victorian listed building was beautifully restored by The Old Belmont School Preservation Trust and today it is a hive of activity offering classes, conference facilities, a coffee shop and CS Lewis exhibition.
Discover the echoes of history in the heart of Somerset, in breathtaking gardens and working orchards
Discover the haunting echoes of the past at Barrington Court, a Tudor manor house free from collections and furniture. Explore using your imagination and your senses to discover a house full of memories, where light fills the rooms and you feel you can almost touch the past.
The impressive headland at Croyde with crashing waves and dramatic cliffs
Baggy Point overlooks Croyde with one of the best surfing beaches in North Devon. It has stunning coastal views, great walks along the South West Coast Path and opportunities to climb, surf and coasteer, it's a must-do destination for anyone visiting North Devon.
Surf, go rock pooling or relax in the sun
Birling Gap and Crowlink, near Eastbourne in East Sussex, are part of the world famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, one of the longest stretches of undeveloped coastline on the south coast.
One minute you can be walking on ancient downland, the next you could be rockpooling below towering cliffs of chalk. Spectacular, unspoilt views of the sea can be seen from all angles.
Miles of unspoilt coastline that inspired Rudyard Kipling
A quiet but most beautiful stretch of rugged cliffs, sheltered valleys and ancient woodlands.
Explore Brownsham and Hartland which has miles of unspoilt cliffs, bays and waterfalls with woodland valleys and grassland.
When visiting the historic fishing village of Clovelly, make your way to the small leafy park of Mount Pleasant with fantastic views across Bideford Bay.
Delightful high Victorian garden - an extraordinary survival from the 19th century
Tunnels, winding paths, a Cheshire cottage that turns into an Egyptian tunnel, fish to feed, a Chinese temple, trees to discover and a new woodland walk to play in and explore.
The highest point in the South Downs National Park
Black Down in West Sussex is a landscape of wavy hair grass, purple heather and pine trees, where you can still get a true sense of 'wild'.
The views have inspired many for years and none so renowned as Tennyson himself: ‘You came and looked and loved the view, long known and loved by me, Green Sussex fading into blue with one grey glimpse of sea.’
The Crystal Leisure Centre is a modern leisure complex centrally situated in the town of Stourbridge. Comprising of pools, sports halls, fitness suite, squash courts & rooms, the centre caters for sports, fitness and recreation activities.
Our facilities also allow us to cater for meetings, birthday parties & functions.
A classic downland experience with secret woodland glades
Blackcap, in East Sussex, occupies 623 acres along the ridge of the South Downs, just west of the historic old town of Lewes. This stunning hilltop area offers fine views over The Weald to the north and across the dip-slope to the coast.
Extensive area of saltmarsh, vegetated shingle, dunes and grazing marsh
Wide open spaces and uninterrupted views of the natural and dynamic coastline make for an inspiring visit to Blakeney, at any time of the year.
The moving tides, covering pristine saltmarsh or exposing the harbour, combined with the varying light of Norfolk's big skies, create an ever-changing scene.
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