Gardens

Gardens

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. 

Venues with this Activity

The Farm Park is within Floralands Garden Centre, a place for all the family to visit. There is play equipment, a picnic area and a wide variety of animals to see and feed.

Wyre Forest Discovery Centre hosts the "education centre of excellence". Curriculum linked activities and a variety of adult craft and wildlife focus days are available including high wires and muddy games!

Offering jaunts down the River Avon either by guided covered group tour, private hire motor boat or a family sized row boat. Departing from the award winning Abbey Park.

A lovely park that is free to visit and has plenty to keep everyone amused, including children’s play area, skate park, a bandstand, boat trips on the river, and water play fountains!

Once the grandest and most striking house on the Isle of Wight, Appuldurcombe's 18th century baroque elegance is still notable today in the partly restored shell of the building. Admire the delightful east front and stroll peacefully through 'Capability' Brown's idyllic ornamental 11 acres of grounds. Treat yourself in our well stocked and attractive souvenir shop.

We deliver tailor-made sessions for EYFS to KS4, on various topics including minibeasts, habitats, sustainability and woodland management, through investigations of our ancient woodland, reservoir, pond and grassland.

EYFS: 

Exploring Senses, Pond Power, Go on a Bug Hunt, Teddy Bears Picnic, Natural Art

Key Stage 1:

Outstanding 14th-century moated manor house

Lose yourself in this romantic moated manor house, described by David Starkey as 'one of the most beautiful and interesting of English country houses'.

Built nearly 700 years ago, this house has seen many changes and been owned by Medieval knights, courtiers to Henry VIII and high society Victorians.

The Commandery has exciting stories to tell you about power, greed, war, wealth, romance, death, society and industry.

Step back in time to catch a glimpse of the lively characters that have inhabited this ancient building during the past seven centuries.

A farmed landscape with wonderful walks and great coastal views

There's lots of variety to explore on the Mottistone Estate which stretches from the chalk downs through rolling hedge lined farmland to the sea.

There is a car park and bus stop next to Mottistone Manor Garden which is a good place to start your visit. It's a great place to walk with many well marked paths to choose from and good expanses of open downland to wander freely over.

Wander through the elegant home of Susanna Shakespeare and her husband, Dr John Hall. Enjoy the luxurious rooms and beautiful decoration of this fascinating house, befitting a wealthy physician of Dr John Hall's status.      

Relax in the beautiful gardens and breathe in the fragrant herbs as used by Dr Hall in his remedies.

Highlights at Hall's Croft

An imposing Tudor house set in beautiful gardens with a collection of Catholic treasures

Coughton Court has been the home of the Throckmorton family since 1409. It holds a unique place in English history with its close connections to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

A great park with a formal area, plus a wildlife conservation area. It also has a brook, duckpond, bandstand, and playgrounds with separate areas for different ages. Splashpad for kids in the summer. Free to visit.

Big park with historical features, plus playground and fitness trail, Abington Park Museum and also features a specific garden for the blind.

Abington Park sits on the site of a medieval village, with some buildings surviving over seven centuries.

Cusworth Hall has been described as the jewel in Doncaster’s crown. The beautiful grade 1 listed building is set in acres of historic parkland with lakes, plantations and pleasure ground with dramatic views across the town.

20 acres of peaceful parkland located in the heart of Potters Bar

The story of Morven Park begins as early as the 14th century. The medieval town of Potters Bar - on the edge of Hertfordshire - was the site of a toll along the Great North Road. The remains of this original settlement; the toll house and the old Great North Road are buried beneath Morven’s grounds.

Set in the peaceful Wiltshire countryside beside a lake, Old Wardour Castle, near Tisbury was once one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was built in the 14th century as a lightly fortified luxury residence for comfortable living and lavish entertainment. Today the castle ruin provides a relaxed, romantic day out for couples, families and budding historians alike.

Shirehall Museum is in a 16th century building that was built as a hostel for important visitors to the Augustinian priory next door. In the 1770s it became Walsingham’s court house and the court room, which was in use until 1971, is still intact. 

Located at the western tip of the Ardmeanach peninsula on the island of Mull, this nature reserce is recognised as a National Scenic Area and a Special Area of Conservation, but is probably best known for being home to MacCulloch's fossil tree. Ranger-led activities to meet curriculum requirements can be organised by arrangement.

Powderham Castle is located in a unique, picturesque setting just outside Exeter, beside the Exe estuary. Six hundred years of history are contained within the walls of one of England's oldest family homes. Sir Philip Courtenay began building it in 1391 and it has remained in the same family to this day, currently home to the 18th Earl & Countess of Devon. 

This fairytale castle, a fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture, seems to have grown naturally out of the rolling hills. The great tower stands just as it did when completed in 1626. The castle is home to a fine collection of family portraits and original plaster ceilings.

Stuffed to the turrets with antique furniture, paintings and ceramics, the legacy of generations of Clan Brodie, this 16th-century castle is a slice of Scottish history not to be missed.

Stone-built house of Elizabethan origin

Originally an Elizabethan house, Morville Hall was extensively enlarged and expanded around 1750, giving it the appearance of a Georgian home.

Look out for interesting and quirky Elizabethan features of the original house. Wander through to the back of the house where a flight of elegant stone steps lead down to a beautiful garden.

Tudor house with superb collections, garden, quay and estate

Cotehele was the ancestral home to the Edgcumbe family for centuries. The Tudor house, perched high above the River Tamar, is decorated with tapestries, arms and armour, pewter, brass and old oak furniture. The interior tour has changed little over the years, although the furnishings were titivated as Cotehele continued to inspire its adoring owners.

The Castle of Exeter stands atop the highest part of the city, within the north-east angle of the city walls. From the reddish colour of the volcanic rock on which it stood, it became known locally as Rougemont Castle.

Picturesque Yorkshire manor house with organic garden and exciting exhibitions

Enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful Yorkshire manor house, nestled on the quiet banks of the River Rye.

Explore the period rooms whilst hearing the Hall's many tales and discover one of the world's finest collections of miniature rooms in the attic.

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British schoolgirl assaulted on school trip to Iceland

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