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Wildlife and Ecology school trips and workshops

Learn about natural wildlife and habitats

What wildlife school trips in the UK focus on animals, conservation, and environment?

Wildlife visits include safaris, sanctuaries, and encounters -teaching biodiversity, habitats, and responsibility.

Obviously, seeing a troop of monkeys remove the wipers from the coach is going to be the highlight of your day out for a lot of children, but there is plenty more to be gained from trip to study the local, and not so local, wildlife. This section covers zoos and safari parks, sea life centres, as well as places to study British wildlife. If you want to study animals, birds, or fish, as part of key stage 2, 3 and 4 science, then see below for inspiration.

The UK has a wonderfully diverse array of natural wildlife, especially ornithological and places like the RSPB and WWT have centres up and down the country where you can go to study the habitats of our feathered friends. As well as helping your class understand the importance of our native wildlife, you will also be helping to support the protected areas which act as havens for species that would otherwise be under threat.

All these venues give great opportunities for cross-curricular study, especially biological adaptation, the geographical impact we humans can have on such delicate eco-systems through climate change, and environmental miss-management, and how we can protect them, both for future generations, and for our own well-being.

If you are looking to give children an opportunity to explore wildlife, you may also be interested in our pages about Environmental sciences and Forest School.

The venues specialising in sea life are always popular with children, perhaps because it gives them an insight into what is normally hidden from view. The examples listed here offer tailor-made workshops, ideal for allowing your class to gain hands-on experience and to fully understand the issues and challenges associated with marine biology.

Zoos and safari parks have changed and are no longer just somewhere to take the kids for an ice-cream and the chance to marvel at the giraffes. Even the more traditional parks are changing what they offer, developing more intelligent ways of engaging their visitors. And the ability to create artificial biospheres means it is now possible to visit a tropical jungle without leaving our temperate climate.

Want to book Wildlife trips and workshops?

Find the perfect Wildlife experience for your school trip




Popular school trip March 2026 !

Oaker Wood Leisure

location icon School Trip West Midlands
apple icon Subjects: Physical Education, SEN, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife, Accommodation Only


Our Woodland Navigation Trail is themed around Orienteering (please note: this is NOT a full Orienteering Experience) children will use maps to Navigate around a woodland trail, whilst following the map they will be looking for items/pictures (wildlife) as they journey through our picturesque trees ...

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Hamerton Zoo Park
Hamerton Zoo Park
map pin East Midlands

Wildlife Learning at Hamerton Zoo Park Hamerton Zoo Park provides inspiring opportunities for students to explore Wildlife and Fauna from around the world while developing a deeper understanding of...
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Outreach Zoo Education Visit
Outreach Zoo Education Visit
map pin in-school workshop

At WILD Zoological Park, our outreach sessions include real animal encounters to give students a hands-on and memorable way to learn about biology, behaviour, and conservation. By meeting live animals...
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Wildlife School Day Visits
Wildlife School Day Visits
map pin Wales

Wildlife is at the core of what we do! Our Educational Sessions all use wildlife as a learning tool to discover more about their lives, their food and their abilities. The Tadorna Wildlife Hub is...
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School Wild Science Workshops!
School Wild Science Workshops!
map pin in-school workshop

All of our topics featuring in some educational way! We focus on giving children and groups the best learning experience whilst using wildlife as a main focus points. You can discover pollinators,...
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Day Trips at Bore Place
Day Trips at Bore Place
map pin London & South East

Bore Place is home to myriad birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, trees, hedgerows and wildflowers. Depending on what time of year you visit you will have the chance to explore some of...
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Godstone Farm Educational Visits
Godstone Farm Educational Visits
map pin London & South East

Our site is set within the beautiful rolling Surrey Hills, and we therefore have acess to nature and wildlife every single day. Much of the visit will be structured however we allow free time for...
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Trentham Monkey Forest
Trentham Monkey Forest
map pin West Midlands

A primary school wildlife group visits Trentham Monkey Forest, observing free-roaming macaques, exploring habitats, and discovering how animals interact with their environment to inspire care for nature and conservation.
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The Royal Parks
The Royal Parks
map pin London & South East

Having free rein over the wide range of habitats within Hyde Park, we have the opportunity to study a plethora of creatures and step back to consider the ecosystem of the park as a whole.
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Unforgettable Day Visits at The Hive
Unforgettable Day Visits at The Hive
map pin London & South East

We keep and care for a wide range of animals suitable for handling these include reptiles, amphibians, fish, mammals, birds and a variety of invertebrates. We provide them with enclosures that mimic...
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Flamingo Land
Flamingo Land
map pin Yorkshire

All of our workshops have a focus on wildlife. In our zoo you will see and learn about mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates and a variety of different bugs, creatures and other fauna. Topics...
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Rewild, Reconnect and Reset
Rewild, Reconnect and Reset
map pin in-school workshop

By spending a day outside, in nature, participants inevitably become more aware and sensitive, and ultimately curious, about the wildlife whose space we are sharing. Whether that is tiny insects under...
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NatureLab Habitat Explorers
NatureLab Habitat Explorers
map pin in-school workshop

Your pupils may know all about elephants or tigers, but how much do they really know about our native wildlife? Discover the fascinating species found in your school grounds and how you can help them thrive. Explore their habitats, adaptations and needs for survival through practical investigation.
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Rainforests - Above and beyond the Canopy
Rainforests - Above and beyond the Canopy
map pin online/in-school workshop

Our Rainforest workshop explores all the different species of insect and animals living within this environment.
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NatureLab Naturalist Maria Merian: Life Cycles
NatureLab Naturalist Maria Merian: Life Cycles
map pin in-school workshop

Discover the naturalist who unravelled the mysteries of insect life cycles, Maria Merian. Through her paintings, and first hand observation of real minibeasts, your pupils will develop their own understanding of the butterfly life cycle. Who knows, the next great naturalist might be in your class!
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Conway Centres Anglesey
Conway Centres Anglesey
map pin Wales

Programme: Living things and their habitats A unique course of Arts activities linked to Living things and their habitats and Under the sea. Home to native Red Squirrels, as well as various...
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St Michaels Environmental Education Centre
St Michaels Environmental Education Centre
map pin East Midlands

The centre has 10 bat detectors and identification guides which can be used on the evening to explore local bat activity. Students will get the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife such as cows and sheep on the various walks that we have around the centre.
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NatureLab Fossils and Mary Anning
NatureLab Fossils and Mary Anning
map pin in-school workshop

Discover the fascinating creatures that lived in our seas in the Jurassic period. Through interactive demos and handling real Jurassic fossils, your pupils will discover British wildlife spanning millions of years! Ideal for LKS2, this workshop covers objectives from the rocks and fossils unit.
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Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage
map pin South West

We have partnered with the Dorset Wildlife Trust and with RSPB Arne so that your students can gain experience of the special environment (SSSI) on the Isle of Purbeck, a chalky heathland which...
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Braeside Residential Adventure Centre
Braeside Residential Adventure Centre
map pin South West

Education Garden & Pond onsite - pond dipping and ecology opportunities. Drews Pond Woods - ancient woodland nature reserve Home Covert - 35 acre woodland & private gardens offering earth education activities, invertebrate sampling, woodland studies, and stream sampling.
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Margam Discovery Centre
Margam Discovery Centre
map pin Wales

Students will look at a variety of plants and common animals using age appropriate classification keys to identify living things we find in our woodland and in our pond habitats. Discover what...
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Wildlife & Environment School Trips FAQ

16 February 2026

Why go on wildlife trips?
Wildlife trips are a great way to help your students connect with nature, whether it’s spotting animals or trees. They really bring the curriculum on biodiversity to life and make students see why caring for the environment matters.

Wildlife workshop or reserve visit?
If you're after safety and an intro to animals, workshops are perfect. They cost between £150 and £400. But if you want real sightings and fieldwork experience, reserve visits are the way to go. We offer workshops for beginners and reserves for hands-on exploration.

Are there free wildlife spots?
Yes! Many reserves like RSPB reserves and local woods have free entry, especially if you book in advance. It’s a great way to explore without breaking the bank.

What are the top 10 wildlife school trips?
Based on teacher recommendations for 2026, here’s the list:

RSPB Minsmere (birds)
London Zoo
In-school animal workshops
Eden Project (habitats)
Jurassic Coast (fossils)
Scottish Highlands (deer)
Welsh coast (seals)
National Parks (hiking)
Butterfly farms
Local ponds (frogs)

Are wildlife trips suitable for SEND students?
Absolutely. Reserves often have trails, and workshops bring animals close in a safe way. We’ve used binoculars for distance viewing and plan sensory activities to make it accessible and fun for everyone.

What’s the budget for wildlife trips?
It varies. Free reserves plus bus transportation can be as low as £4 to £12 per child. Zoos usually cost between £8 and £18 for entry. Workshops range from £150 to £400, and residential eco trips are around £140 to £280 per child. There are also green grants available to help with costs.


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Woodland Activity Days Proving Popular at Oaker Wood
Wildlife Residential

A school residential or activity day at Oaker Wood gives children the opportunity to develop valuable life skills while enjoying the great outdoors. From learning practical survival techniques to gaining a deeper understanding of woodland animals and plants, pupils benefit from hands-on...

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A Day at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World
Wildlife Workshops

Zoo's in the UK are two-a-penny and Dinosaur Parks aren't much less. So how can we persuade you we're different?

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Biology and Wildlife at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Wildlife Day Trips

Your class can explore climatic-themed glasshouses and 15 acres of landscaped gardens exploring a range of biology and wildlife topics.

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Discover the treasures of Lotherton Hall Museum
Wildlife Day Trips

Discover the treasures of Lotherton hall, become a nature detective, and discover animals from across the world in Wildlife World.

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Discover history, biology and wildlife in one country estate
Wildlife Day Trips

Discover history, biology and wildlife in one country estate at Lotherton! Plan your school trips and workshops at Lotherton for 2022/23

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Sayers Croft in the new academic year
Wildlife Residential

We believe that everyone should have access to the outdoors to improve mental health, instil a love of our natural environment, and increase

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