What is it?
The word "environment" covers all naturally occurring things on Earth. Animals, chemicals, plants and minerals all count as part of the environment, which has incredible variety depending on the climate of the area in which it is found.
What does it involve?
The environment of earth includes a huge variety of genres, but in general use the word refers to the features of the landscape and the animals and plants most likely to be found in certain areas. Learning about the environment involves disciplines such as science, history and evolution, and as the environment is constantly changing, as does the study of it.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Learning about the environment should be something all students take part in at some point, as respect for the planet and its natural resources are essential in maintaining it. The subject of the environment can cover many sub-topics, and it's a great way of understanding more about how things were in the past and how they developed into our current day situation; it's also a thought provoking subject in regards to the future of the planet.
What equipment do we need?
Simple observation and appreciation of the environment requires very little if no equipment whatsoever, but further study can involve more scientific methods of research where certain things may be needed. For beginners into environmental research, some information, a willingness to learn and curiosity are all that should be needed.
Who is it suitable for?
The environment is important for all ages to learn about and respect. Students both young and old will benefit from understanding what goes on around us a little more - for example, explaining why littering is bad to young children can go a long way!
Costs?
Depending on what sort of thing you do and where you go, costs of environmental studies can range anywhere from completely free upwards! Many natural parks will charge an entry cost for upkeep, for example, but the actual examination of the environment costs nothing.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
You should ensure that the activity can engage the students appropriately! Younger students will need more to occupy them than older students will, and you should always have appropriate supervision for groups of children when taking them outside into unfamiliar territory.
How do we include?
Full inclusion will depend on the type of the activity. For example, venturing outside into rough terrain will hinder those with physical disabilities; make sure that whatever you plan is appropriate for everyone in your student group.
Doing it abroad?
The environment abroad will be great to study for those who are interested in the topic. You can see animals, landscapes and plants that you never would in the UK, and could be an invaluable experience for many.
Main website:
Consult individual venue websites to see more information about their environment and any acitivies they provide.
This is the most rugged and remote stretch of the Pembrokeshire Coast, from the peak of Garn Fawr near Strumble Head to the cliffs of Pen yr Afr in the north.
Pen Anglas and Dinas Island guard the entrance to Fishguard Harbour, and Castell Farmhouse is a holiday cottage with a view few can equal. Linked throughout by the coast path, it offers splendid coastal walking.
Late 17th-century house with lavish interiors and the Museum of Childhood
A glorious slice of natural coastline in Purbeck featuring a four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beach, with gently shelving bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.
Ideal for water sports and includes the most popular naturist beach in Britain. The heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles.
Strangford Lough is a unique and wonderful place of immense international importance for nature conservation. It is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, covering an area from Angus Rock at its mouth on the Irish Sea, to the vast sand-flats at its northern end 20 miles (33 kilometres) away. It is one of only three designated Marine Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom.
A normally sedate trip made grand with their free children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens.
Stowe Landscape Gardens offer great children's activity packs, full of ideas to discover wildlife and nature in the gardens and help keep their interest going.
15th-century half-timbered yeoman's house, featuring a great hall and surrounded by glorious garden, orchard and meadows.
A perfect example of a Wealden Hall-House, it is full of beautiful collections of furniture, wood and metal work.
Wonderful woodland walks over the Otham Valley can begin from here.
We are located in a superb rural setting in the attractive village of Everdon, near Daventry. The surrounding countryside provides a wide variety of contrasting landscapes and habitats which make the area ideal for the study of Geography, Science and Environmental Studies.
The centre:
Forged by fire and ice, the Langdales are dramatic to say the least. Home to the majestic Langdale Pikes, world class rock climbing and stunning mountain tarns, this is a natural playground, with walks and activities to suit all abilities. The ambitious can tackle the major peaks but it’s not all about high level scrambling.
James and Margaret Beale chose an idyllic location with views across the Sussex countryside for their rural retreat. Designed by Philip Webb, the house is one of the finest examples of Arts and Crafts workmanship, with Morris & Co. interiors creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The house is dressed for a weekend stay in 1925, so you can imagine you are a guest of the family.
Stackpole is both a listed designed landscape and an internationally important nature reserve. Footpaths radiate from the site of Stackpole Court, a grand mansion demolished before the National Trust owned this area. Exotic plantings in Lodge Park give way to mixed woodland further upstream.
The 14-mile stretch of coast that runs westwards from the holiday resort of St Ives to the mining village of Pendeen, can lay proud claim to being the most startlingly beautiful in south-west England.
St Helens Duver is a lovely place to relax or gently wander. There are sandy beaches, rock pools, sand dunes and coastal woods all within a small area. There is easy access from the car park onto the Duver with its short turf and gently undulating ground and views over Bembridge Harbour.
St David's Head is a dramatic headland northwest of St David's and Whitesands beach dominated by the peak of Carn Llidi. Super for sea views and circular coastal walks.
The Lizard peninsula, the most southerly part of the British mainland, is a place apart.
A combination of the mild maritime climate and complex and unique geology has produced an area with a distinctive character, well known for its rare and unusual flora and where the famous call of the Cornish chough is never far away.
This is possibly one of the most wild and beautiful parts of the Isle of Wight with a wonderfully varied landscape in a relatively small area.
Interweaved with creeks and valleys, this remote peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall is a hidden treasure. Walking, kayaking and sailing are all fantastic ways to explore the Roseland landscape.
This remote peninsula on the south coast of Cornwall is a hidden treasure. The combination of cliffs, creeks, headlands, woods and lovely beaches, linked by many miles of footpaths, gives a fantastic variety of walking routes. Pick your route to suit your mood, or the weather that day.
Near Roseland.
A vast low tide beach and a sea of glowing heather make it hard to believe this area was once an industrial landscape. The enigmatic buildings perched on the cliffs provide a reminder of St Agnes’ tin and copper mining past.
Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in a most unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. Restored and brought back to life in the 19th century, it is a unique and beautiful mixture of Tudor simplicity and Victorian Arts and Crafts' aesthetics.
For many, one of the iconic views of Pembrokeshire is the open expanse of St Bride’s Bay greeting you as you approach Newgale.
In 2003, we were left the Southwood Estate as a generous legacy by Mrs Maurer. She loved this part of the world and hoped that we would look after its special qualities for the benefit of the nation.
Bordered by the beautiful Dwyryd and Dyfi estuaries, the mountains of south Snowdonia include some of Wales' most fascinating National Trust places It is here that the roots of the Trust took hold, with the acquisition in 1895 of Dinas Oleu.
One of the most popular beaches in the South Hams, the golden sands looks out over a bay of crystal clear waters framed by craggy rock formations including the iconic Thurlestone Rock.
Opened in 1871 Souter remains an iconic beacon. Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear. Souter is a special place all year round and was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.
Solva Harbour is the perfect starting point for exploration of the village or to take a walk up onto the Gribin headland (for the magnificent views) and down to Gwadn beach.
Nine Wells Valley is a steep valley down to the sea, with the coastal fort of Porth-y-Rhaw at the bottom. From here fine walks lead in both directions along the coast.
Slindon Estate is 1,400 hectares of woodland, downland, farmland, and parkland. With countless historic landscape features and its unspoilt Sussex village, there is something for every visitor.
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.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.