Wildlife and Nature

Wildlife and Nature

What are they and what do they involve?

Wildlife and nature venues focus upon aspects such as the local environment and showcasing wildlife in their intended habitats. Falconry centres and forest exploration are good examples of what you can expect from such a venue; the emphasis is always on the more natural elements of the world around us, and how we can help it to flourish.

What are the benefits?

In a similar manner to a Zoo/Wildlife Park and an Environment Centre, these venues are excellent ways of educating students about the world around them in an accompaniment to their classroom learning. Experiencing wildlife in their natural habitats and seeing the effect humans can have upon them can be a new and memorable experience for many students, especially those from large cities!

What students is it suitable for?

Wildlife and Nature venues should interest students of all ages and tastes, but some extremely young students may get a little bored if the activity isn’t engaging enough; make sure the venue suits your specific group of pupils.

Costs?

Entry fees to wildlife and nature venues should normally come in under £10 – however, big establishments such as the Eden Project may run higher!

Safety Implications?

As with any outdoor activities, it’s important to make sure student groups are properly supervised and that the pupils obey any safety instructions issued to them on the day!

 

See below for a list of venues and providers of this kind: 

Lundy

Unspoilt island, home to a fascinating array of wildlife amidst dramatic scenery
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Undisturbed by cars, the island encompasses a small village with an inn and Victorian church, and the 13th-century Marisco Castle.

There's also a disused lighthouse to discover. Called the Old Light, it offers superb views over the north part of the island.

For nature-lovers there are the variety of seabirds, wildlife, flora and fauna. Designated the first Marine Conservation Area, Lundy offers opportunities for diving and seal watching.

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Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene

Streams of lichen-rich sarsen stones
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Sheltered valleys containing well developed 'boulder streams' of sarsen stones. Sarsen stones are of ecological interest for the lichens and mosses they support as well as geological importance.

The sites were purchased in 1908 following a public appeal and were our first countryside properties in Wiltshire. Prior to this, sarsen stones were removed to provide building materials.

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Ludshott Commons

One of the largest remaining areas of heathland in East Hampshire
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Ludshott Common covers 285 ha (705 acres) and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) because of its wildlife.

For centuries, it was used by local commoners whose ancient rights allowed them to graze their cattle, sheep, ponies and pigs. Some commoners collected heather, gorse, wood and bracken for fuel, winter fodder and animal bedding. These activities led to the open heathland you can see here today.

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Northey Island

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
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A remote island in the Blackwater Estuary and cut off at high tide, visiting Northey's a unique pleasure.

Northey was to become the oldest recorded battlefield in Britain when Viking raiders used the island as a base during the Battle of Maldon in AD991, an encounter also mentioned in England's earliest known poem.

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Kinder, Edale and the Dark Peak

Heather-clad moors of Kinder to the gritstone tors of Derwent Edge
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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The wild Pennine moorlands are of international importance for their populations of breeding birds and mosaic of habitats.

Sites of particular interest include Mam Tor, with spectacular views, landslip and prehistoric settlement, the famous Snake Pass and Alport Castles in Alport Valley. Kinder Scout, where the Mass Trespass of 1932 took place, is the highest point in the Peak District and is the location for a lot of our current conservation work in the Dark Peak.

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St Kilda World Heritage Site

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Sometimes described as ‘the islands at the edge of the world’, the archipelago of St Kilda is located 41 miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Formed from the rim of an ancient volcano, it is the remotest part of the British Isles.

Comprising four islands – Hirta, Soay, Boreray and Dun – as well as several sea stacks, St Kilda is truly spectacular. It is one of only 29 global locations to be awarded ‘mixed’ World Heritage Status in recognition of both its natural and cultural significance.

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Holdenby Falconry Centre

Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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The Falconry Centre contains many species of birds of prey, flown by the resident Falconer. You are able to fly some of the beautiful birds yourself.

Our Education Department is amongst the most prestigious in the country. We celebrated our 33rd year last year and are one of only three centres to have been awarded six consecutive Sandford Awards by the Heritage Education Trust for excellence in education, as well as a Reed Award for work with special needs children.

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Brean Down

A natural pier with dramatic cliffs and Victorian fort
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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Brean Down is a wonderful location for a day out in Somerset. Enjoy relaxing on the beach at the foot of the Down, building sandcastles and visiting the Cove Café for a seaside treat.

Venture to the top of the Down and take the exhilarating 1.5 mile walk along Somerset’s greatest natural pier.

The Down stands 97m high and the views from the top are truly spectacular, looking out over the Bristol Channel towards south Wales and over the Somerset Levels.

Uncover the secrets of Brean Down as you discover the site of a Roman temple and explore the Palmerston Fort.

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Eifionydd

Snowdon's pastoral foothills reach down to the sea
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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South and west of Beddgelert lies the wooded foothills and mellow farmland known as Eifionydd. The woodlands of the Vale of Maentwrog are internationally important for their wildlife and the coastline has been sculpted into sweeping sandy or shingle bays.

Bwncan Dinas Dinlle is the remains of a hillfort, believed to be 3,000 years old. It was home to the legendary hero Lleu Llaw Gyffes. His story is to be found in the Mabinogion, the ancient Welsh mythology.

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Bridestones, Crosscliff and Blakey Topping

Moorland nature reserve with unusual and unique rock formations
Venue Type: 
Wildlife and Nature
Overall Rating: 
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The Bridestones has peculiar shaped rocks, heather moorland, ancient woodland, herb-rich meadows. Blakey Topping has superb all-round views.

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