Opening Times

10 am - 4pm Monday to Friday

What makes this a great venue for School group Fun or Educational Visits?

This is a site devoted to demonstrating Sustainable Living and any visit here will take pupils on a journey that may include use of a yurt classroom, a trailor tractor tour across the downs, sensory exploration in the woods and understanding of a working woodland. We have accomodation on site allowing one class at a time to stay over and enjoy a few days or a week of activities.

What are the Curriculum Topics or Benefit to the students from a visit?

Our activities are linked to the curriculum especially covering aspects of Geography, Science, Citizenship and Design Technology and all emphasising sustainability with working examples on site.

What are the activities?

Activities range from pond and woodland studies, tour of the energy saving buildings, farm tour and sensory exploration to small group bush craft and hands on conservation work for older pupils.

What is the age range of the activities?

Primary and Secondary school age with guided tours for adults.

Sample programme of the activities:

Sample programme of Primary School activities:
Tour of site looking at energy and energy saving with time to explore the yurt, tipis, straw bale shower block and wood workshops and find out how much electricity the solar panels produce.
Farm Tour across the Downs to find out how farmer George Atkinson protects the landscape of the Downs on his farm.
Group Art works based on the days themes.

What materials to you provide or suggest groups bring to support the visit?

Layers of clothing for all weathers as we are on top of the Downs and the weather is changeable. Packed lunch. We will provide everything needed for the activities.

What are the minimum and maximum group sizes and the free Teacher Ratio?

Minimum group size is 6 for specialist activities and maximum is three class sizes. Not all activities can be undertaken by large groups. Teachers and assistants are free.

Do you have or how do you arrange risk assessment?

We have our own risk assesments in place and teachers can have a copy of these. We also recommend a free pre-visit for teachers to assess the site for themselves and assure themselves that we provide the learning experience they are looking for.

Do you offer Teacher familiarisation days?

We offer a pre visit.

What facilities are there for school groups for food and drink, shop etc?

Schools need to bring their own food and drinks for lunch. We provide a squash break.

Do you have first aid on site?

Yes