What is it?
A garden commonly refers to the outdoors area that comes with a regular suburban house, but the term covers almost any area set aside for the enjoyment of the outdoors and nature.
What does it involve?
Gardens can involve both natural and man made materials, and can have many uses. Variants include things such as zoos (which were formerly called zoological gardens) which display animals in replicated natural habitats, or indoor gardens with controlled environments to grow certain plants; however, the main purpose of any garden is to provide enjoyment for those within it, and a walk within a garden generally involves relaxation and fun!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Gardens are great for taking a break in and relaxing for a while, but students (especially the younger ones) will thoroughly enjoy exploring some of the larger and more complex gardens out there! It's also a nice and safe way to get in touch with nature, as most plants and animals you happen across in a garden environment were put there on purpose and will be harmless.
What equipment do we need?
You shouldn't need any equipment for taking students to a garden apart from maybe a picnic!
Who is it suitable for?
Although generally suitable for all ages, younger children may get bored quickly if there's nothing to do! Sitting and relaxing are pursuits you only really partake in as you reach early adulthood, so make sure younger groups have garden games to enterain them, or something similar.
Costs?
Some of the more elaborate gardens you can visit may have an entry fee, but this will usually be a relatively small cost.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Because gardens can be physically huge and with many places to hide, large groups of younger children will need careful supervision - especially if there are ponds or lakes nearby.
How do we include?
Since this activity pretty much just involves enjoying being outdoors, it should be relatively easy for you to include everybody!
Doing it abroad?
Some of the most impressive gardens in the world are located abroad, and can take days to explore their secrets!
Main website:
This section of the National Trust website has some great information and recommendations, but always check individual websites for venue specifics.
Set in over 500 acres of historic deer park, Wollaton Hall is a spectacular Tudor building home to the city's Natural History Museum.
Also see the Industrial Museum, Steam Engine House, Wollaton Visitor Centre and the Yard Gallery, plus exhibitions exploring art and the environment.
A surprisingly beautiful and fascinating Victorian Pumping Station, that is still operational on ‘steam days’. Learn how it supplied Nottingham with water during the early 1880s. Surrounded by a lovely garden with a lake.
The Natural World Centre is a state of the art sustainably designed visitor centre within the beautiful 375 acre Whisby Nature Park, just to the south of Lincoln.
This Iron Age settlement was originally occupied almost 2,000 years ago and is one of the finest examples of such in the country.
This ruin of a 12th century castle in the grounds of a mansion, was built as a fortified palace and was in the ownership of the Church until the 16th century. Now a romantic ruin, in the grounds of the New Sherborne Castle, it is a great day out for all ages.
Time really does stand still at Brodsworth Hall, one of the most unusual visitor attractions in South Yorkshire.
he Nelson Monument was built in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson, who died at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Weather permitting, the Trafalgar flag signal 'England expects that every man will do his duty' is still flown on Trafalgar Day (21 October).
Corsham Court is one of England's finest stately homes and is based upon an Elizabethan Manor dating from 1582. The interiors are laid out as a suite of magnificent Georgian Staterooms, the work of leading 18th and 19th Century architects. Their brief was to properly display the famous Methuen/Sanford art collection featuring Old Masters by Van Dyck, Carlo Dolci and Lippi.
Housed on three floors in a 19th century granary building in the centre of Okehampton, the museum tells the story of how people have lived, worked and played on and around Dartmoor through the centuries. It shows how the moors have shaped their lives just as their work has shaped the moorland.
An inspiring, surprising, family-friendly, free attraction in South London’s Forest Hill.
Victoria Park is a popular local park with children's play areas, tennis courts, grass sports pitches football and cricket, skate park area, ornamental lake, gym equipment and wildflower. It is a popular park for events and activities.
Lodmoor Country Park is just a 15 minute stroll from Weymouth Esplanade and through Greenhill Gardens.
You'll discover a host of independent attractions providing something of interest to entertain everyone. Access to most of the park is free and you can enjoy the numerous sport and recreation areas, wander around the footpaths and nature reserve or enjoy a picnic or barbecue.
A fascinating medieval cob house, containing a cross-passage screen decorated with a painting of St Andrew. See the smoke-blackened timbers. Discover the fascinating history behind the cottage and enjoy the garden with contemporary cob summer house.
Burton Art Gallery & Museum situated in Victoria Park, Bideford, was reopened in May 1994, after a major extension and refurbishment. The new building has three exhibition spaces including a permanent pottery exhibition, a museum, craft gallery, shop, workshop and lecture area, tourist information desk and cafe.
In addition to the famous monuments on Calton Hill, the old City Observatory can be found here. Inspired by a Greek temple of the Four Winds, the building was designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818.
Over the winter we will be carrying out a transformation of the castle, creating new displays and preparing to tell new, previously untold, stories. 2015 will mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, so make sure you set aside time in your diary to visit when we reopen from April.
Nature reserve with bird hides, a visitor centre with wildlife explorer backpacks and picnic area. Free to visit.
These packs include trail notes, games and spotter sheets with different wildlife to look out for. Kids can follow the trail through the grassy glades, woods and pond at their own pace.
Majestic views across mid Wales, and a 72m high dam holding back 50,000 megalitres of water, makes this one of Severn Trent Water's most spectacular visitor sites.
Brunswick Park was opened in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The park offers a range of facilities including outdoor gym equipment, children's play area, multi gamed area, tennis courts, skate park area, bandstand, football and circular walks.
A great park in the heart of Matlock with bowling greens, children’s boating lake, interactive play area, miniature railway and a skateboard park. There are also tennis courts and a putting green. Free to visit.
Offers crazy golf and children's play area for 3-12 year olds as well as natural green space and a cafe.
Situated in the Tees valley close to Middlesbrough, Nature’s World is “the North of England’s pioneering eco-experience”. Opening in 1992, we are a thriving visitor attraction, training centre and educational facility with over 29,000 visitors every year.
An enormous green space with woodland children's play area, a selection of way marked nature trails with panoramic views, hidden sculptures and 1,200 rare and exotic trees in the Arboretum! Plus park cafe, picnic spots and BBQs.
Surrounded by 3,000 acres of rolling parkland, Holkham Hall is one the finest examples of Palladian architecture in England.
Unspoilt and fascinating medieval manor house, still a relaxed family home. Located in a green haven of riverside meadows and woodland.
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.