In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
Also known as Llanblethian Castle, St Quentin's Castle near Cowbridge includes a massive twin-towered gatehouse. It is believed that the majority of the castle was built by Gilbert de Clare (the Last, d. 1314).
Unstaffed open site, no booking required
Modelled on the Eiffel Tower, when Blackpool Tower opened in 1894 it was the tallest building in Britain. It took just 3 years to construct using 5 million bricks and over 2,500 tonnes of steel. It can be seen from as far afield as the Lake District and North Wales.
The Yorkshire Air Museum is the largest independent air museum in Britain and is also the location of The Allied Air Forces Memorial. It is a Registered Charity and nationally accredited museum (No.66).
The National Waterfront Museum (Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau) tells the story of industry and innovation in Wales, now and over the last 300 years.
Expect the unexpected including a space toiler, a seven-toed cat and a pregnant man.
Delve into the archives of scientific geniuses such as James Lovelock or peer into the future of the latest psychological advances.
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough - the Churchill family. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace and is a World Heritage Site.
The Palace
Nestling in a valley that reaches down to the sea on east Devon’s dramatic Jurassic Coast, the village of Branscombe is surrounded by picturesque countryside with miles of tranquil walking through woodland, farmland and beach. Branscombe's charming thatched houses, working forge and restored watermill add to the timeless magic of the place.
A full-size railway service running regular steam-hauled passenger trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, largely along the scenic River Severn. We operate along 16 miles of track from Kidderminster via Bewdley to Bridgnorth.
The York Environment Centre is managed by the Friends of St Nicholas Fields. We exist to promote sustainable living to people in York and the surrounding area. In 1994 we began work to transform this former landfill site into a Local Nature Reserve and the Environment Centre, which was completed in 2000.
A unique collection of vehicles from around the world. Over 400 amazing cars and bikes from nostalgic classics of the 50s and 60s, glorious Bentleys and Rolls Royces to exciting super cars of today, like the Jaguar XJ220.
Our Halls include:
Situated on a large inner city allotment site the Birmingham EcoPark is an environmental education centre which is owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.
This little gem is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the island's most iconic images. Built around 1700, it last operated in 1913 but still has most of its original machinery intact.
Climb to the top of the mill then find out how it once worked as you descend its four floors.
Lings Wood Environmental Centre is situated in Lings Local Nature Reserve, a magnificent, urban woodland covering over 22 hectares in the Eastern District of Northampton.
The Leighton Buzzard Railway is one of the last survivors of the hundreds of 2 foot (610mm) gauge light railways built in Britain for industrial use. It is believed to be the only remaining line which owed its existence to the ready availability of surplus materials and equipment from the First World War battlefield supply lines.
CAT is an education and visitor centre demonstrating practical solutions for sustainability. We cover all aspects of green living: environmental building, eco-sanitation, woodland management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and organic growing.
A working steam museum where you can step back in time to the steam age. On steaming open days visitors can ride in vintage carriages pulled by a full sized steam engine and on our extensive miniature railway.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is a canal in the south Midlands of England. The canal, which was built between 1793 and 1816, runs for 25.5 miles in total, and consists of two sections.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal runs from Birmingham's suburbia to Shakespeare's Stratford in 25.5 picturesque miles.
The canal is usually considered as a northern and a southern section.
The lake railway uses miniature narrow gauge steam engines on its trains to give a scenic 3 mile return trip along the side of Rudyard Lake. Special family events at Bank holidays, children's parties and Santa trains in December.
In a beautiful valley of the river Frome, on the border between Wiltshire and Somerset and only nine miles from Bath, stands the remains of Farleigh Hungerford Castle.
Started in the 14th century, it still has much for visitors to enjoy and provides a great day out for families to enjoy the beautiful surrounding countryside.
The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the river Thames in London. It is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). It is currently Europe's tallest Ferris wheel, and offered the highest public viewing point in London until it was superseded by the 245-metre (804 ft) observation deck on the 72nd floor of the Shard.
Enjoy one of Britain's most iconic and evocative survivors of the English Civil War, partially demolished in 1646 by the Parliamentarians.
A favourite haunt for adults and children alike, you can't fail to be captivated by these romantic castle ruins with breathtaking views across Purbeck.
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.