The world-famous garden, overhung with clipped yews, shelters rare and tender plants. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, it retains its original lead statues and an orangery on the terraces. High on a rock above the terraces, the castle, originally built circa 1200, began life as a medieval fortress.
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
Miles of golden sand
Sweeping along the edge of the North Coast, this two-mile stretch of golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches and affords views of Inishowen headland and Mussenden Temple perched atop the cliffs. It is an ideal place for lazy picnics, quad-pod rides, surfing, slacklining and long walks into the sand dunes where wild pansy flowers dance in the breeze and common blue and dark gree
A dramatic and rugged coastline with an abundant variety of wildlife
This spectacular stretch of coastline offers fine views and hidden delights. Heading north from Polzeath discover Pentire Point and The Rumps, views of which inspired First World War poet Lawrence Binyon.
Bedfords Park is a fantastic place to come and explore with your school. We have a plethora of habitats and wildlife to learn from: from meadows to lakes, woodlands to ponds - and not forgetting our resident herd of Red Deer.
EYFS:
Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art
Key Stage 1:
Oadby Swimming Pool in Oadby, Leicestershire offers local people a full range of aquatic activities throughout the week. From Swim 4 Everyone sessions to our award winning swimming lesson programme we are proud to offer a full range of water based action.
Why do many schools return to Woodlands annually? Teachers tell us it is an easy to run, safe venue providing a wide variety of experiences including play, rides, zoo-farm interaction, falconry centre.
The UK's only crocodile zoo
We're home to more than 100 crocodiles, alligators and caimans from 14 different species of crocodilian. Crocodiles of the World is now open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm all year round including Bank Holidays; we are closed on Christmas Day.
Now the UK’s largest collection of parrots with nearly 2,000 birds covering over 100 species, but there’s not just parrots here, you will also see Marmosets, Meerkats, Lemurs, Giant Tortoises, Snakes, Kookaburras and many more.
Centres around a Tropical House in a spectacular jungle-like setting which includes a large water feature containing Red-Eared and other Terrapins. The outside exhibits include capuchin monkeys, meerkats, ring tailed lemur and more plus plenty of bird exhibits.
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is home to rhinos, giraffe, leopards, tigers, elephants and lions - all the biggest zoo animals!
We also have 12 huge indoor and outdoor play areas.
You can get hands on with the farm animals and learn more about the wildlife from our zookeepers at one of the Zookeeper Talks.
School Visits
A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change.
Follow the story around this beautiful Georgian building taking in domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years.
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Constructed on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, built when Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain, the Castle Museum today reveals many fascinating layers of history to visitors.
An oasis of peace and tranquillity only 13 miles south-east from the centre of London
Full of natural history, the area is a haven for all kinds of bird, butterfly, amphibian and plant life.
Chalk ridge landmark with far-reaching views and rich natural heritage
Commanding the high point on the chalk ridge south-east of Salisbury, Pepperbox Hill is topped by an early example of a brick folly. Thought to have been built by Giles Eyre of Brickworth House, it may have served as a viewpoint for ladies following the hunt, a haunt for highwaymen and a lookout post for the home guard.
Rich in industrial heritage, caves, ancient woodland and rare species
Spectacular cliffs, caves where mammoths once lived, rare birds, an underground river, bat roosts, silver lead mining, ancient woodland, smuggling and limestone quarrying are just a few of the wonders of this area.
Historic Haunted Castle, Himalayan Gardens, Owl Centre, MeadowVole Maze and Playgrounds
Muncaster Castle is still a privately owned family home to the Penningtons and three generations of the family still live in the Castle today.
They are actively involved in the running of the business which is set up as a not-for-profit company. The estate employees 50 local people full time at the Castle and Gardens and this grows up to more than 65 in the height of summer.
The World Owl Trust works on owl conservation on a global scale, and we have members in many countries around the world.
Our conservation programmes protect populations of endangered owls until their habitat has been restored. This has already been achieved for the European Eagle Owl and British Barn Owl.
54 acres of beautiful parkland with enchanting woodland walks and play areas and breathtaking views to the Fylde Coast, Morecambe Bay and the Lake District.
Tropiquaria is pleased to be able to admit large, pre-booked, groups at discounted rates, whether the visit is educational, entirely for fun, or for a mixture of the two. Education can be FUN!
Both directors take the welfare of disabled and disadvantaged groups very seriously and with notice can arrange to make the visits of such groups more rewarding.
Tropical World has fast become a firm favourite with the people of Donegal, visitors from all over Ireland and even further afield.
Described by our patrons as Donegal’s hidden gem and the one place you must visit in Donegal, Tropical World has built on its popularity by annually growing its ever-increasing collection and improving the customer experience.
Tropical World at Roundhay Park is one of the most well-loved family attractions in Leeds and only three miles from the city centre. At Tropical World you can take a trek through the rainforest; stopping off briefly in the outback of Australia before a quick excursion through the desert, and all in the same morning!
Encounter an exotic world of butterflies and birds, mammals and minibeasts, reptiles and rodents, all brought up-close by our team of inspiring, knowledgeable guides.
Give your school group an unforgettable learning experience. You will find our curriculum-based Education Programme is flexible, interactive and lots of fun!
Located in the stunning Tilgate Park, Tilgate Nature Centre houses over 100 different species of animals, from endangered to farmyard favourites. It also maintains rare breeds of native livestock including white park cattle, Boreray sheep and Bagot goats, as well as new arrivals: meerkats and otters.
Tilgate Park has so much to offer from stunning lakes, lawns and gardens to miles of woodland and bridleways for long leisurely walks. As well as all this Tilgate Park also boasts some excellent facilities:
Pages
Featured Provider
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.
Login/Sign Up
Latest News
Schoolboy Falls From 60ft Cliff on School Trip
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.