Bursaries Available!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

School Trips

Why book Birmingham Botanical Gardens for School Trips and Educational Visits?

The Gardens contain over 7,000 different plants from all around the world. Experience the humidity and smells of the Tropical House, look (but don’t touch!) with wonder at the carnivorous plants in the Subtropical House, admire the fruits and flowers of the Mediterranean House, and marvel at the bizarre and fascinating ways that cacti have developed to protect themselves in the harsh environment of the world’s deserts (Arid House). Don’t forget to allow plenty of time, in addition, to wander around the stunning grounds seeing the giant Koi Carp and Victorian Cascade in the Rock Garden, stop and smell the many herbs in our Herb Garden, be fascinated by our exotic bird collection from all over the world and play on our amazing new Treetops Adventure playground (if you've been good)!

school trip at Birmingham Botanical Gardens

school groups Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Free Places for Teachers
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge

What activities are available during group visits?

We have over 20 cross-curricular teaching sessions to choose from, that are specifically aimed at the different key stages, and all of which link to the new National Curriculum. As examples, there is `Tree Fun` for EYFS, `Food Chains` for KS1, `Growth` for KS2, `Natural Art` for KS3 and `Animal Handling` for KS4.

You can also choose to visit on a self-guided basis, where group leaders can plan and lead their own day.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Art

Sculpture Design Craft

The Gardens offer outdoor, natural art sessions in the style of Andy Goldsworthy.

Wildlife

The Gardens are a haven for flora and fauna, which can be spotted and explored at any time during a visit. We also have an exotic animal collection, which can be used for teaching workshops, if requested.

Physics

Electricity and circuits Seasonal change

The Gardens offer laboratory-style, practical science sessions for KS1&2 children, using Physics to investigate the wonder of plants.

Chemistry

Properties and changes of materials Chemical Reactions Food Science

The Gardens offer laboratory-style, practical science sessions for KS1&2 children, using Chemistry to investigate the wonder of plants.

Biology

Plants Animals including humans Living things and habitats Evolution and inheritance Ecology and environment Life Cycles Minibeasts Habitats Underwater Animals and Habitats

The Gardens offer laboratory-style, practical science sessions for KS1&2 children, using Biology to investigate the wonder of plants.

Human Geography

Settlement and land use Economic activity and trade Natural resources Urbanisation Indigenous people

Many aspects of Human Geography are covered in lots of our teaching sessions. It can also be investigated in various locations around the Gardens.

Physical Geography

Rivers Map and atlas Rainforest Environment Climate zones and biomes Fieldwork

Many aspects of Physical Geography are covered in lots of our teaching sessions. It can also be investigated in various locations around the Gardens.

Environmental Geography

Rainforest Sustainable living Global warming Climate change Conservation

Many aspects of Environmental Geography are covered in lots of our teaching sessions. It can also be investigated in various locations around the Gardens.

Fieldstudies

Students can completes field studies at the Gardens. These can be designed by their own teachers, or provided by us, with activity packs and worksheets to chose from.

SEN

What size groups do you cater for?

Up to 6 classes per day (180 children).

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Our teaching sessions take place in our dedicated classrooms, but also outside in the Gardens or within our Glasshouses.

A covered lunch space will be provided for visiting groups. `Picnics` are also permitted anywhere in the grounds, if you can trust the weather!

Is there first aid on site?

We do have trained first aiders onsite, but because of the size of the Gardens, we ask educational parties to bring their own first aider. First aid equipment is located within easy reach, though we recommend bringing your own first aid equipment too.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Of course. Our teaching spaces, lunch rooms, Glasshouses and outdoor Gardens are all wheelchair accessible.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Of course. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Anything else?

We offer a wide range of free resources (e.g. trails, quizzes, activity packs), which are available to download from our website, and can be used on the day of the visit, or in the classroom beforehand or afterwards.

Our Shop is available for children (and adults) to purchase a souvenir of their visit. Goody bags can also be arranged if teachers prefer not to visit the shop but still want to make a purchase.

Our Pavilion Tea Room is available for children and adults to purchase drinks, lunches and snacks.

The Gardens hold regular school holiday events, which can be visited independently, or with your school if it has different term dates.

Please feel free to take as many photos as you want, and share as freely as you like.

Who are Birmingham Botanical Gardens?

Here at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, we offer an educational visit like no other. You can explore our unique glasshouses and experience an authentic rainforest adventure! Then, walk straight from experiencing hot and humid tropical conditions, through the Mediterranean House and into a desert climate, and observe the adaptations the different plants have made. Then, wander down to the Alpine and Rock Gardens to marvel at the `otherworldly` flora found on the Tundra.