The miles of tracks offer an opportunity to explore some of Dorset's internationally important heathland and its rare wildlife.
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
At Adventure Wonderland there are fantastic rides and attractions throughout the park
Experience Dragon's Drop, ride Space Orbiter, Wild Bill's Runaway Train and the Ghostly Galleon fight in Battle Boats, bounce on the Bouncing Beans trampolines and climb on board our wonderfully happy flying elephants.
Welcome to Wadworthshire
Located in the bustling market town of Devizes, Wiltshire, our Visitor Centre is open Monday to Saturday all year round for you to browse & enjoy. Boasting a free self-guided exhibition of brewing memorabilia, a unique collection of hand painted pub signs, and much more, there really is more to Wadworth than meets the eye.
A 210 hectare nature reserve with a diverse mosaic of habitats including marshes, ponds, pools, woods and grasslands. Find the Kingfisher Tearooms nestled in the middle of the reserve serving delicious homemade food. Lots of accessible paths and hides to view the brilliant wildlife. Take a session out with the education team to find out more!
Horse riding lessons at Sherwood Riding school are great activities for kids.
It's a Nottinghamshire riding school with a difference, BHSI Instructor Sam and her team make learning to ride a horse easy and fun.
Our experienced team will guide you through unique destinations, where you can embrace different cultures, amazing wildlife, beautiful secluded landscapes and explore our enchanting planet.
A great range of activities for over 8s, it's very far from just karting! Fantastic memory material for kids and a good bonding experience for the family doing new stuff together.
Learning at our outdoor education centre makes Mill on the Brue a perfect environment to inspire people. With over 40 activities to choose on our 25 acre estate, we can tailor-make your programme to suit the needs and requirements of your group.
A highly unusual, but enjoyable way to explore the Cotswolds, by camel! A great trek with friendly guides, who lead the camels at all times. Available throughout the year, but weather dependent.
Joseph's Amazing Camels offers a 3 hour camel experience, which includes a trek through beautiful Warwickshire countryside for groups of up to 16 people.
This 500 acre country park is one of Liverpool’s most important heritage sites and is Grade II listed.
A great visitor attraction for families, the park has something for everyone including:
Welcome to our newly renovated education centre in a historic stable block, with purpose-built dipping pond, tree trail, arable fields and recently-planted orchard. Children can explore our 300 year-old farm and our varied woodland.
The South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west.
A working estate still guided by the seasons, with an impressive mansion and Home Farm
The mansion, at the heart of this estate, is evidence of Elsie Bambridge's success in creating a home. Elsie was the daughter of acclaimed author Rudyard Kipling.
A diverse experience with a huge variety of animals but also trampolines, roller blading rink, crazy golf, maize maze, pony rides, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, fire engine ride and pedal kart track, plus seasonal activities like bottle feeding lambs.
A full programme of events throughout the day including: Meet and Feed the Animals, Free Tractor and Trailer Rides, Children's Craft Sessions, Animal Racing, 2 Acre Willow Maze and Indoor and Outdoor Adventure Play Areas. Themed weeks during school holidays.A great family day out, come rain or shine.
Superb facilities: indoor and outdoor animals and play zones, crazy golf, bouncy castle, ringo slope, tractor rides and much more.
Whoosh down the fake snow slopes on inflatable ringos! Dig to Australia in the giant sandpit, and get your rev on with the pedal tractors! All under cover!
The sanctuary has a 'cuddle corner' where adults and children may handle baby rabbits, chicks, ducklings, kittens and new born mice and gerbils (when in season). A great place to take toddlers, Early Yeears and Primary children in particular if you are looking for visits out in Oxfordshire.
BHS approved all weather facility offering lessons from 4 years, escorted hacking for over 8s, recognised Pony Club and holiday activities.
Escorted one to two hour scenic hacks (for over 8s) available, plus recognised Pony Club and holiday activities.
With adventure play areas, zip wires, rides, a 25m bouncy pillow, stilt walking, a haystack mountain, pig racing, archery and our children's shows. There's plenty to keep children occupied all day at Apple Jacks! You can even challenge your opponent on the Eliminator!
Lambing weekends in the spring, monthly country food fayres, and we have our famous and unique 'living manger' prior to Christmas.
A farm with plenty of animals to meet and handle, such as piglets, lambs, pygmy goats and more. Adventure playground, go karts and tractors, indoor soft play, and pony rides. Under 2s visit free.
Norfolk’s wonderful museum of rural life and the Workhouse
This fifty-acre site with its magnificent Georgian workhouse invites you to explore two centuries of life on the land. There are recreations of shops and homes, extensive displays on farming and village life and the popular Collections Gallery - a real treasure trove.
Ash End House Children's Farm offer lots of friendly animals to feed and stroke. Three Play areas, Indoor Toddlers Barn, Family Games Yard, Crazy golf and lots of fun activities for the children. Plus Jumping Pillow, Tractor and Trailer Rides and visit our new Falconry Centre!
Working farm on the Old Yarr Estate with activities scheduled throughout the day including Animal Encounters, tractor and trailer rides, plus a giant sandpit and play area for younger children.
All our activity sessions are in small groups so you can enjoy a real personal touch and our friendly staff are always happy to answer any questions you have about our animals.
At Cantref we offer a fun filled day for the entire family! We have a large hearted indoor play zone, a farm house café with delicious home cooked meals with spectacular views.
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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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