School visits to our nature reserves

bickley hall farm school visit

A school visit to Bickley Hall Farm

(C) Joseph Lee

School visits to our nature reserves

Wilder learning they will never forget.

We offer wilder learning opportunities for schools at our awe-inspiring nature reserves, or we can also come to your school. 

From pond-dipping and meadow-sweeping to den-building and nature art, we can bring your students closer to wildlife and give them an experience they will never forget.  

All our sessions are delivered by experienced teachers and Forest School leaders. Sessions are linked to the curriculum and adapted for each age group. We provide follow-on resources so that children can build upon their learning back at school.  

Contact us today to grow your school’s connection with nature or scroll down for further details of our activities, locations and current funding opportunities.  

Hear about Broadstone Hall School's wonderful day at Thurstaston Beach. This is just one of the experiences we offer, Get in touch and book your place!

Learn all about our activities:

Forest School Experience

A jam-packed taster day of Forest School activities where your pupils will: 

  • Learn bushcraft skills, such as den building, cooking safely over a fire and creating art from natural materials.  

  • Hear myths and folklore surrounding trees and their healing powers for people and the planet.  

  • Hunt for minibeasts, frogs and toads in our rich woodland micro-habitats.  

  • Connect with nature and each other to support mental and physical well-being. 

Life at the Seashore

  • A full day spent at the seashore looking at the features of the coastline, examining habitats and what can be found at the water’s edge.  

  • Our Wilder Childhood session leaders will guide pupils through mud-dipping, beach scavenger hunting, observations of finds, making sand sculptures, and identifying features of the coastline. 

Nocturnal Animals

Owls, Hedgehogs, Foxes and Badger Session

  • We look at the adaptations of nocturnal mammals and the human impact and climate change on biodiversity.  

  • Dissect owl pellets to identify bones to establish a typical owl diet.  

  • Examine the skulls of different mammals and learn about the functions of skeletons 

Bats and Moths Session 

  • Children will observe live nocturnal moths caught in our moth trap to see how animals are adapted to suit their environment.  

  • Learn about the relationship between bats and moths and how animals depend on each other and how they are suited to their habitats. 

  • Learn about adaptations such as how bats use sound to catch prey (echolocation). 

  • After the sessions, teachers will be advised on follow-up actions including how children can participate in local wildlife groups. 

Habitats

  • Spend a day at one of our beautiful nature reserves, learning about how living creatures can be found in different habitats.  

  • Take part in meadow sweeping, pond dipping and mini-beast hunting. We will spend time identifying the species we find in the different habitats and learn about why they live there. Our Wilder Childhood session leaders will focus on fostering appreciation and respect for all the things that nature has to offer us.  

Wildlife Friendly Farming (only Bickley Hall Farm)

Every year we offer a limited amount of FREE school visits to Bickley Hall Farm. Young people are invited to learn about how we make a working farm become a positive place for nature’s recovery. We look at different habitats, learn about wildlife species that live here and how we can support it. Young people complete a range of activities, including a farm walk, pond dipping, meadow sweeping and nature-themed arts and crafts. (Season dependent) 

Sustainable Celebrations

Our Wilder Childhood session leaders will guide pupils to create a celebratory willow wreath or elder candle, using natural materials found on our nature reserves. An excellent opportunity to link their learning about festivals such as Diwali, Christmas and solstice celebrations! 

Optional follow-on school visit

  • We can visit your school to bring your children’s wilder learning experience home!  
    This can include: 

  • Surveying your school’s outdoor space for wildlife and  mapping how pupils want to improve their space to increase animal and plant biodiversity. 

  • Installing a trail camera to photograph nocturnal visitors.   

  • Practical activities including:  

  • Building a hedgehog house or planting wildflowers to encourage pollinators. 

  • Sustainability themed activities  

Got a wild idea we’ve not mentioned? Fill out the form below and tell us what your thinking!

Fill in the form below to get started:

2023-24 funding opportunities:

Priority is given to our Wilder Schools Network for the following opportunities

  • Our Dee Estuary are funding eight Life at the Seashore visits to Thurstaston beach and a coach travel contribution.  

  • We can also support schools to earn the John Muir Award.

  • ESSAR are funding four Holly Bank Woods visits  

  • 25 Wildlife Friendly Farming visits at Bickley Hall Farm are available.

  • TARMAC are funding three teacher training events and school grounds improvements for participating schools (a fruit orchard or wildflower meadow).

Bickley Trail sign

(C) Joseph Lee

Our locations:

Bickley Hall Farm, Malpas

  • Bickley Hall Farm is an organic wildlife-friendly farm and the headquarters of Cheshire Wildlife Trust located just outside Malpas in the heart of rural Cheshire.  

  • We offer 25 free visits for schools to Bickley each year for a wildlife-friendly farming walk on our dedicated nature trail, which passes badger sets, barn owl boxes and wildflower meadows. The walk around the farming fields is open to the public, though the trails are very quiet... if you’re lucky you may glimpse a hare! 

  • Facilities: Most of the spaces used for education are private, with an orchard and two ponds, as well as a classroom with toilet and kitchen facilities all reserved solely for visiting schools.  

 

Crown Farm Quarry, Delamere

  • Crown Farm Nature Reserve is a rewilded sand quarry in Oakmere with pond, meadow and woodland habitats for children to explore.  

  • Facilities: It has an outdoor classroom and compost toilets. 

  • Access: It is a short walk from parking through a meadow to the nature reserve. Please speak to us if an attendee has accessibility needs. Education days here are planned to be all outdoors.

The Quinta Woodland, Sweetenham Valley Nature Reserve

  • This site, situated in the heart of the Swettenham Valley near Holmes Chapel, is one of Cheshire’s hidden gems. It comprises a mosaic of habitats including ancient woodland, a stream, and species rich meadows. Together these habitats support an abundance of wildlife most notably valuable populations of 14 resident species of butterfly. It is perfect for Forest School or habitat studies!  

  • Facilities: One compost toilet and a covered Forest School shelter on site. The day is planned to be all outdoors.  

Thurstaston Beach, Wirral

  • A wide sandy beach leading to mudflats and backed by clay cliffs, Thurstaston is an ideal location for learning about our coastline, marine wildlife and sustainability  
    Access to the beach is a short walk through Wirral Country Park and down some wooden steps to the shore.  

  • Facilities: Toilets are located at The Sidings campsite above the beach 

  • Eight trips to Thurstaston are being funded by the Our Dee Estuary project, enquire now to find out if your school is eligible. 

FAQ's

How far in advance should I book?

We take bookings all year round. The sooner you book, the more choice you'll have and more flexible we can be with available dates and locations. 

Can the sessions be altered to fit my class’s needs?

The days have pre-planned lessons and objectives that can be adapted to suit the needs of your class. Please note any suggestion or requirements on the enquiry form and we will adapt where we can to meet your needs. 

How many pupils can I bring?

Bickley Hall Farm - 2 classes 

Crown Farm Quarry – 1 class 

Gowy Meadows and Holly Bank House – 1 class The Quinta – 1 class 

Thurstaston Beach – 2 classes 

Please speak to us if you have a larger group in mind. 

What other ways can I connect pupils with the natural world?

Please see our School Grounds Services offered and Wilder Schools network for more ideas on how to keep your pupils connected with wildlife. 

How do I hear about funded visits?

Our Wilder Schools network exists so we can keep schools informed on funded opportunities as they arise. See the Wilder Schools page to join our network. 

Where can the session be held?

We believe sessions held at our nature reserves have most impact but can also adapt sessions for your school grounds.  

Fill in the form below to get started:

We also provide school grounds development, deliver teacher training, and much more! 

Start your school's journey now!

Contact

You can also make contact via email: schools@cheshirewt.org.uk or phone: 01948 820728.

In these challenging times our work will still continue to defend local wildlife

We can’t do this without your support so please donate what you can.
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