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Wildlife and Ecology school trips and workshops

Learn about natural wildlife and habitats

PlanMySchoolTrip

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.

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Find the perfect Wildlife experience for your school trip




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child on a zip line
Bentley Copse Activity Centre
map pin London & South East

Surrounded by ancient woodland your students will experience the natural environment of the Surrey Hills. Your students may see our local badgers, see the squirrels among the trees while accompanied by bird song.
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Field Studies Council - London field sites
Field Studies Council - London field sites
map pin London & South East

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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view of sayers croft
Sayers Croft
map pin London & South East

we offer: nature walks, pond dipping, night walks (bat walks), minibeasts, nature detectives, bird hide, tree activities, we also have lots of wildlife on site (i.e. deer's, bats, birds, mini beasts, rabbits)
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Image for a residential school trip at Preston Montford Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Shropshire KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Nettlecombe Court Field Centre
map pin South West

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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Image for a residential school trip at Slapton Ley Field Centre Activities Outdoor Activity centre in Hampshire KS2 KS3
Slapton Ley Field Centre
map pin South West

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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mage for a residential school trip at Millport Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Scotland KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Millport Field Centre
map pin Scotland

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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actor dressed as an explorer
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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Child getting muddy at The Sustainability Centre
The Sustainability Centre Residentials
map pin London & South East

At the Sustainability Centre, we have 55 acres of woodland with an abundance of wildlife. Many of our activities revolve around the study of different fauna, including habitat comparisons of woodlands...
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Rock climbing at 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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children learning bushcraft skills
The Bushcraft Company - Boughton Woods
map pin East Midlands

Great things happen in the great outdoors! Taking place in the tranquillity of the woods, students will engage and connect with the natural world in a way that possibly they have never done so before....
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Image for a residential school trip at Juniper Hall Field Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Surrey KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
Juniper Hall Field Centre
map pin London & South East

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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children pond dipping
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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Child getting muddy at The Sustainability Centre
The Sustainability Centre
map pin London & South East

At the Sustainability Centre, we have 55 acres of woodland with an abundance of wildlife. Many of our activities revolve around the study of different fauna, including habitat comparisons of woodlands...
> read

Image for a residential school trip at Margam Discovery Centre Outdoor Activity centre in Wales KS2 KS3 KS4 Field Studies School Trips
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...
> read

Raft building activity at Oaker Wood Leisure
Oaker Wood Leisure
map pin West Midlands

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...
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group of school children with brightly coloured backpacks
Creative School Trips
map pin London & South East

Outdoor spaces, such as parks, lakes and woodlands are wonderful habitats and offer a wealth of educational opportunities. Tours may include guided tours by wildlife specialists, and entry to attractions and sites such as the London Zoo, Woburn Safari Park, the Woodland Trust and Forest Schools.
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big school camp equipment
Big School Camp Midlands
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England

1. Feral Science deliver Wildlife sessions based on curriculum Biology from Upper KS2 to GCSE outdoors 2. We use a range of outdoor skills and bushcraft to reveal the curriculum science behind...
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children on an obstacle course
Hindleap Warren Residential Visits
map pin London & South East

We offer a range of environmental sessions, each with its own style whether it be storytelling, or exploring your senses, we hope to inspire learning and a respect for nature and wildlife during your trip but also to take into everyday life.
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school hall full of children watching a zoo outreach event
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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School children at Mount Cook
Mount Cook
map pin East Midlands

Located just outside the Peak District National Park, we have fantastic access into the surrounding countryside which includes woodlands, historical trails, quarries, caves and reservoirs. With the...
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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

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...

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