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.
Our dedicated team of staff are on-hand to ensure that your visit to Magdalen is memorable for all the right reasons. The tutors have a wealth of experience leading outdoor education activities that are fun and stimulating. If you are looking to high quality accommodation and fresh homecooked ...
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Manor House Wildlife Park
Teacher Reviews: ★★★★★
Wales
Set in 52 acres of protected Pembrokeshire parkland, our Wild Welsh Zoo has something for everyone. Experience close-up meetings with endangered animals from all over the world.
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Manor House Wildlife Park
Animals VR Workshop
Various Regions
Learning about the animal kingdom? Travel around the world and come face to face with a range of different animals through virtual reality! Workshops start from £1.99 per pupil!
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Animals VR Workshop
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Bedfordshire
London & South East
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our Bedfordshire woodland for an experience day where young minds will be inspired...
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Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Bedfordshire
Ventnor Botanic Garden
London & South East
We grow around 6,000 rare and exotic plant species in 22 subtropical acres, attracting some of the most beautiful wildlife. Our garden creates opportunities to study Geography, Geology, History, Horticulture, and learn about rare plants and wildlife....
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Chessington World of Adventures
Teacher Reviews: ★★★★★
London & South East
Education is at the heart of what we do and with 10 themed lands, 40 rides and attractions, over 1000 amazing animals and a SEA LIFE centre; Chessington really is Britain’s Wildest Classroom!
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Chessington World of Adventures
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Leicestershire
East Midlands
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our private woodland at Belvoir Castle where young minds will be inspired.....
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Leicestershire
All Things Wild
Midlands
Why not 'Step Through Time' with our fantastic Dinosaur Experience?
Or get up close to our animals in an environment that is as close to their natural habitat as possible.
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All Things Wild
Magdalen Farm
South West
Set on a working organic farm Magdalen provides a unqiue base for students, children and adults to explore the great outdoors. A range of tutor led activities are tailored to you and we provide high quality accommodation with homecooked meals.
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Magdalen Farm
Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust
East of England
Your next adventure starts here! Based on a converted lightvessel moored on the Essex coast, FACT provide unique residential experiences through outdoor adventure activities in this stunning saltmarsh setting.
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Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust
Bramhope Scout Centre
North
Bramhope Scout Campsite is set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales less than 10 miles from Leeds City Centre. Set in 13.5 acres Bramhope Campsite offers a variety of accommodation and activities for all ages, abilities and different sized groups.
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Bramhope Scout Centre
Sayers Croft
Teacher Reviews: ★★★★★
London & South East
Sayers Croft is nestled at the foot of the Surrey Hills and provides outdoor experiences for 27,000 visitors each year for all ages and abilities through our bespoke residential and day visits, Duke of Edinburgh programme and family run events.
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Sayers Croft
Adam Hensons Cotswold Farm Park
South West
Introduce your class to over 50 flocks and herds of rare breed farm animals, travel back through time to discover how British farming has changed throughout the years and let off steam in the adventure play areas.
A truly memorable school trip!
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Adam Hensons Cotswold Farm Park
Habitat Study Trips
London & South East
Enjoy a curriculum linked day of hands -on habitat study with surveys of pond, woodland,rare chalk grassland and meadow. Use sweep nets and pond nets, observe creatures under magnification and discover and identify predator and prey in a food chain. ...
Habitat Study Trips
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Midlands
Why is white chocolate white but milk chocolate brown? Which plant makes both furniture and clothes? Which birds roam free around the grounds? Discover these answers and much more as you explore our spectacular glasshouses and beautiful gardens!
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Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Chatsworth
East Midlands
Our programme of arts engagement and outdoor learning is focused on treasures from the collection and the built and natural environment allowing for the integration of the arts and creativity to STEM based learning, making us an ideal STEAM centre.
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Chatsworth
Woburn Safari Park
London & South East
Woburn Safari Park is a fantastic venue for school groups of all ages! It combines learning with an enjoyable experience. School groups can make their own way around the Park or opt for an educational activity....
Woburn Safari Park
RSPB Sandwell Valley
Midlands
What's the difference between a backswimmer and a water boatman? That's just one of the many questions your class will have answered on a visit to RSPB Sandwell Valley. Children will have a memorable day discovering nature on their doorstep.
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RSPB Sandwell Valley
Hampstead Heath Schools Programme
London & South East
Hampstead Heath is the ultimate outdoor classroom. Our hands-on school sessions allow students to have fun, develop their knowledge and key skills, and explore different aspects of this beautiful open space.
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Hampstead Heath Schools Programme
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Scotland
Scotland
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in Scotland at our stunning East Lothian woodland where young minds will be inspired...
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Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Scotland
Paradise Wildlife Park
London & South East
At Paradise we offer educational talks from reception, through primary and secondary schools, into College and even to University level. We have 3 classrooms and a large Animal Rescource Centre that is a fantastic venue for learning.
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Paradise Wildlife Park
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Residentials - Scotland
Scotland
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our stunning East Lothian woodland where young minds will be inspired...
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Woodland Ways Bushcraft Residentials - Scotland
Galloway Activity Centre
Scotland
We’re a friendly family run outdoor activity centre that’s been operating since 1988 and caters to a wide range of children’s groups all year round. From the smallest group sizes to over 100 and from day trips to week long residential holidays....
Galloway Activity Centre
In School Farm Experience
Various Regions
Kew Little Pigs focuses on animal enrichment for children, giving children stimulating opportunities they may never have at home to spend time with animals they may never usually have hands on experience with.
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In School Farm Experience
Outdoor Skills Workshop
Various Regions
Grow your students confidence, develop their teamwork and communication skills and help them become more resilient through outdoor skills such as Bushcraft, outdoor cooking, knife skills, archery and navigation.
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Outdoor Skills Workshop
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Oxfordshire
London & South East
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice the skills of their ancestors through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave the walls behind; join us in our 250-acre woodland where young minds will be inspired.....
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Oxfordshire
Woodland Ways Bushcraft - Leicestershire
East Midlands
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our private woodland at Belvoir Castle where young minds will be inspired.....
Woodland Ways Bushcraft - Leicestershire
Woodland Ways Bushcraft - Oxfordshire
London & South East
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice the skills of their ancestors through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave the walls behind; join us in our 250 acre woodland where young minds will be inspired.....
Woodland Ways Bushcraft - Oxfordshire
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Derbyshire
East Midlands
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our stunning Peak District woodland where young minds will be inspired...
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Woodland Ways Bushcraft Experience Day - Derbyshire
Falconers Quest
Midlands
The UK's biggest Birds of Prey Show at Warwick Castle!
Let your imagination soar as you join Warwick’s Falconer on an epic quest of discovery to find the finest Birds in all of the land, in this brand new, action-packed, spectacular show.
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Falconers Quest
Moving Mountains
South West
The most flexible camping residential you will find! You will have EXCLUSIVE use of our beautiful site next to Bristol and Bath where we offer alternative activites including fishing, orienteering, outdoor cooking, bushcraft and hiking.
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Moving Mountains
Dartmoor Zoological Park
South West
Set in a unique location, Dartmoor Zoo offers a wide range of workshops designated to inspire students to learn about the animal’s world, conservation and our native wildlife.
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Dartmoor Zoological Park
Woodland Ways Bushcraft Residentials - Derbyshire
East Midlands
Allow students to unplug and tune in to nature. Let them learn and practice ancestral skills through a range of hands-on bushcraft experiences. Leave walls behind; join us in our stunning Peak District woodland where young minds will be inspired...
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Woodland Ways Bushcraft Residentials - Derbyshire
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.
Clearly, despite the frequent rural sightings of leopards, tigers and other big cats, some wildlife is going to be completely new to your class. They have probably seen them on television, but that is no substitute for getting up close and personal with some of our planet’s more unusual fauna. 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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