Galway Atlantaquaria, National Aquarium of Ireland, seeks to present a comprehensive view of the world of water through clear and interesting displays, informed helpful staff and exciting live presentations and animal interaction sessions.
Animal Encounters
Animal Encounters
What is it?
Interactions with animals can vary immensely; they can range from big establishments with no animal contact such as zoos, small animals at a farm park.
What does it involve?
The basis of all encounters with animals is to interact with them! Sometimes it may be from a distance to ensure safety on both sides, but you can often get up close; you can train and even ride some animals.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Spending time with animals has been proven to be beneficial in many aspects of life and development - it can teach things such as compassion, responsibility, and discipline for both yourself and others.
What equipment do we need?
Depending on what sort of animal encounter it is, the equipment involved will vary. For example, riding a horse requires a lot more specialist equipment than stroking a cat! Make sure to check with your destination to see if you need to bring anything.
Who is it suitable for?
Animal encounters are suitable for pretty much anyone - always be careful with smaller children though, as they may not understand how to handle them properly.
Costs?
Can vary from free to reasonably expensive. Grounds that are open to the public and free to enter can often have wildlife roaming around to admire, but more extravagant establishments such as zoos with many more animals will undoubtedly cost more!
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Be aware of allergies when it comes to animal encounters; although mild allergies are much more common, the risk of a student having a severe reaction means you should exercise caution if there is going to be physical contact with an animal.
How do we include?
It will depend entirely on the type of animal encounter, but in general these kinds of activities will be great to include all students in, as everyone can interact with an animal in some manner.
Doing it abroad?
The variety of animals abroad will often vary greatly from our own, and encountering them can be a once in a lifetime opportunity! Foreign nature and safari parks can be great places to visit, so make sure to check out your destination thoroughly to see if there's one you can take a trip to.
Main website:
Check out individual websites for specific information on what's available for you to do!
Venues with this Activity
One of 13 flagship nature reserves in the area with a beautiful trail that starts in an apple orchard, and passes a brook and a meadow. Lots of wildlife to enjoy, including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and otters.
It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, plus it is open and all year and free to visit!
Rocky islands, habitat for seals and many species of seabird
The Farne Islands are possibly the most exciting seabird colony in England with unrivalled views of 23 species, including around 37,000 pairs of puffin.
It's also home to a large grey seal colony, with more than 1,000 pups born every autumn.
Historically, the islands have strong links with Celtic Christianity and St Cuthbert, who lived here in the 7th Century.
A little wilderness of woodlands and heath in the heart of the Midlands
Downs Banks Brook is a beautiful babbling stream that runs the length of Downs Banks. Keep your eyes open and you may see the fantastic blue flash of a kingfisher.
At the Linn of Tummel you can enjoy a beautiful circular woodland walk alongside the contrasting rivers of the slow flowing gentle Garry and the fast-flowing Tummel, rushing over rapids.
Ancient common once owned by King Harold and William the Conqueror
Holmwood Common is at the heart of the local community and is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by all. It’s just off the A24 (south of Dorking), so why not break a car journey south to the coast with a stop? Stretch your legs and explore...
A vast sandy beach, high cliffs and dramatic coves
Godrevy's awe-inspiring expanse of sandy beach leads on to wildlife rich headlands and the dramatic coves of the North Cliffs and Western Hill.
Set at the far end of St Ives Bay, Godrevy beach is popular for surfers, families, walkers, nature watchers and those who simply want to sit and admire the view.
A visit here offers a unique nature experience. Walk through two acres of sand dunes only fifty metres from the sea and gain first hand experience of some of the county's most stunning wildlife.
A picturesque walk from wooded glen to hilltop rath
Lisnabreeny takes in wooded glen, estate and green field to the summit of the Castlereagh hills on the edge of east Belfast.
The path hugs the sides of Cregagh glen as it climbs through pools of sunlight cast by the trees. You’ll hear the waterfall, but also keep an eye out for the carpets of bluebell and wood anemone in spring.
For fantastic family fun and excitement, enjoy a day at one of the UK's biggest bird gardens, discover a beautiful natural setting of woodland, river and water gardens that are inhabited by over 500 birds, flamingos, pelicans, colourful parrots to laughing kookaburras and magical owls.
The estate is split into four main elements:
Threave House, a restored Scottish baronial-style house;
Threave Garden, made up of landscaped gardens and themed 'rooms';
Threave Sculpture Garden, containing over 30 works by Scottish sculptors; and
Threave Nature Reserve, featuring landscape ranging from wetlands to woodlands.
Pembrokeshire's very edge from here on it's sea and islands.
The Marloes Peninsula combines dramatic coastal scenery and safe bathing on golden sands. You can look out for seabirds and seals and the remains of ancient peoples.
An extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape
Murlough National Nature Reserve is a fragile 6000 year old sand dune system owned by the National Trust and managed as Ireland’s first Nature Reserve since 1967. It is an excellent area for walking and bird watching due to its spectacular location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains.
A beautiful sprawling wilderness to explore for retreat and adventure
The New Forest Northern Commons comprise of five commons that we care for. Each one is a unique landscape of woodland, heathland, mire and grassland, shaped by man and nature since the Bronze Age.
Tŷ Mawr Country Park lies on the banks of the River Dee in the beautiful Vale of Llangollen, part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located adjacent to Cefn Viaduct, built by Thomas Brassey in 1848 to carry the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway across the valley of the River Dee.
The gateway to the Surrey Hills
Open the gate and step into a colourful mosaic of purple, greens and gold. All is quiet apart from the sounds of nature. Visit and discover why Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Bishop's fish pond amidst stunning heathland and abundant wildlife
Frensham Little Pond and Great Pond were originally created in the 13th century, to supply fish to the Bishop of Winchester and his court, whilst visiting Farnham Castle. Today the pond and surrounding area is a sanctuary for wildlife with always something new to see.
A small, mature, mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland oasis in the northern residential suburbs of Warwick, probably originally planted as a shooting wood in the 1920s. Tree species include sweet chestnut, oak, Scots pine and larch with some holly, ash, beech, silver birch and younger elm trees.
Explore Marwell Zoo and get closer to the wonders of the natural world
- 100s of animals – including giraffes, tigers & penguins
- 140 acre park, train and 3 adventure playgrounds
A quiet backwater with a busy Medieval past, now bursting with wildlife
This is the only National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. It is a beautiful retreat that has something to offer boat owners, walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and historians or just those in search of peace and tranquility.
Also known as Manor House Zoo, Anna's Welsh Zoo boasts Rhinos, gibbons, llama, Oryx, zebra, wallabies, meerkats and tapirs amongst many other animals.
At Manor House you can connect with animals and their environments, connect with natural surroundings, connect with the environment and the serious challenges and threats facing the survival of the planet.
Hidden woodlands, lush green meadows, tranquil ponds and an ancient common
The Harewoods estate was created over a number of years by the Victorian London stockbroker, Alfred Howard Lloyd, and forms a large part of the countryside in and around the picturesque village of Outwood - take a look at the Outwood village w
Ancient royal hunting forest
Hatfield Forest is the best surviving example in Britain of an almost complete Royal Hunting Forest. It has seen many owners, from Kings to commonors. No other Forest on earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting Forest so completely.
Take a walk on the wild side and explore an ecological paradise
Discover the beautiful countryside and rugged scenery of Marsden Moor. With more than 5000 acres of moorland to explore, there is always something new to see.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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