There's something for everyone at Parke, found on the outskirts of the small market town of Bovey Tracey, gateway to mystical Dartmoor. You can walk from the town (about one mile) or stop off as you drive to the open moor, where the next stop is the rugged crag of Haytor.
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
A Georgian country estate in west London
A short hop from central London by tube but a world apart. Stroll up the tree-lined drive, past the grazing Charolais cattle and you'd think you're in the country, not urban Hounslow.
Surrounded by gardens, park and farmland, Osterley is one of the last surviving country estates in London.
Sometimes described as ‘the islands at the edge of the world’, the archipelago of St Kilda is located 41 miles west of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. Formed from the rim of an ancient volcano, it is the remotest part of the British Isles.
The Falconry Centre contains many species of birds of prey, flown by the resident Falconer. You are able to fly some of the beautiful birds yourself.
Thornton Abbey's enormous and ornate fortified gatehouse is the largest and amongst the finest in England. This North Lincolnshire tourist attraction is the ideal way to spend a day.
Mount Saint Bernard Abbey is situated in Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire. An area of particular natural beauty in the very heart of England. It is home to an order of Cistercian Monks of the Strict Observance (Trappists).
Explore the landscape and childhood home of famed local author Thomas Hardy.
"It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot" - such were the words of Queen Victoria after her first visit to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.
No trip to the island would be complete without a visit to this royal seaside palace where Queen Victoria lived with her beloved Prince Albert and their nine children.
Snowdon's pastoral foothills reach down to the sea
South and west of Beddgelert lies the wooded foothills and mellow farmland known as Eifionydd. The woodlands of the Vale of Maentwrog are internationally important for their wildlife and the coastline has been sculpted into sweeping sandy or shingle bays.
Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure
Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of Exmoor National Park and a short distance from the North Devon Coast, our award winning centre welcomes guests of all ages and levels of ability, together with their families & friends.
Broadstone Warren is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Activties include Archery, Abseiling, Swimming and Zip Wiring.
Redwings Aylsham Visitor Centre is a beautiful site in the heart of the North Norfolk countryside and is home to some of Redwings’ loveable residents, like beautiful adoption stars Maya, Gulliver, the ever mischievous ‘Gangster’ Shetlands, and adorable donkeys Wiggins and Wacko.
Manor Farm offer a range of activities upon request and subject to availability. All the activities can be adapted to suit your school group’s needs and to relate to the National Curriculum.
The Greenfield Valley Trust Collection developed around the agricultural buildings rescued from around Flintshire and rebuilt at Greenfield Valley.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s, Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve (part of the Clyde Valley Woodlands National Nature Reserve) is bursting with wildlife. Famous for its spectacular waterfalls and scenic woodland walks. In spring the woodland floor us abound with colourful wildflowers. Alive with bird song; over 100 species having made this reserve their home.
NWT Cley Marshes, only 6km from Holt, provides groups with great opportunities to explore both coastal and wetland habitats. Include a visit to our award winning eco-friendly visitor centre. Your group can find out about its green sedum roof and innovative green technologies including wind turbine and rain water harvesting systems. The panoramic view across the Marshes is stunning.
Highfields Happy Hens is an open farm set within the beautiful South Derbyshire countryside.
A Mysterical Adventure
Enjoy a mysterical adventure at Hobbledown. Meet our animals, play in the Barn, go down our mine and have fun in the party cottage.
Schools Visits
A Neo-Grecian house restored to its setting of rolling parkland
This early 19th-century house nestling between a wooded ridge and parkland is possibly one of Wiltshire’s best kept secrets. An ideal place to have a quiet picnic and to get away from it all.
Magnificent 18th-century mansion and landscape park
Experience the stately grandeur of this stunning 18th-century mansion set in a beautiful wooded landscape park ideal for family walks.
Castle Coole is one of Ireland's finest Neo-classical houses, allowing visitors to glimpse what life was like in the home of the Earls of Belmore.
Stunning 18th-century landscape garden and haven for nature
A taste of the country on the edge of the city.
Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces while exploring our elegant buildings and ruins.
From seahorses to sharks, crocodiles to crabs - they're all here!
Throughout our aquarium you will come face to face with a whole host of marine creatures from around the world, but also many which you would find in the Thames Estuary: rays, crabs, starfish and many more.
Meet Puffer fish, Lionfish and a very famous Clownfish! You can also play, do arts and crafts or even make up a fish dance!
The Farmyard is at the centre of the Farm, and home to many much loved animals including great characters such as Bayleaf the Donkey & Bentley the Goat.
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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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