What is it?
The term "Rides" can cover a lot of activities, but at the most literal level it includes any pastime that includes moving not under your own speed. For example, riding a donkey along a beach and going on a rollercoaster both count as go on a ride.
What does it involve?
Rides involve being moved along by the movement of something else other than you - either sitting in/on, or being harnessed to something. The specifics can vary greatly; from huge, complex apparatus such as a rollercoaster to the relatively simple set up of a zipwire.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
You should go on a ride to have fun! Every type of ride has their own individual appeal, and there is a wide enough variety that there will be a perfect ride for every age group.
What equipment do we need?
Rides on horses/donkeys will need various specialist equipment, but this should be provided for you - there shouldn't be much equipment you need to supply for any kind of ride apart from appropriate clothing e.g. swimwear for waterpark rides.
Who is it suitable for?
The suitability of a ride for students will depend entirely on what it is! Activities such as go-karting and rollercoasters may have age and height limits, whereas horse/donkey rides will be much more lenient!
Costs?
Most readily accessible rides are reasonably cheap, but more specialist establishments such as theme parks and go-karting tracks may cost more to visit as they have much more complex setups.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Be aware of supervision of children in busy theme/waterparks and ensuring any safety and operational instructions relayed to your group are observed - younger children may not pay full attention!
How do we include?
Inclusion of all students will depend on what kind of experience you are taking them on. Bigger establishments will have a better setup for disabilites than smaller companies, so if your student group has special needs then you must consult with the specific venue concerned.
Doing it abroad?
Some of the biggest and best rides are abroad, especially when it comes to theme parks! While they might get a little pricey, they will make for an unforgettable experience for students - make sure to check out what's around.
Main website:
The indefinite nature of rides mean that there is no real website that covers them all, so it would be best to consult the websites of individual venues to see whats available.
An enchanting place where nursery rhymes and fairytales come to life. Endless rides and a giant indoor play area!
Pan for diamonds in the new diamond mine, play crazy golf on the Jolly Roger or visit the Christmas Village, open all year round! Plus visit the dinosaur valley and a few more surprises!
WaterWorld attracts over 400,000 visitors a year making it a leading visitor attraction in North Staffordshire & the UK’s No.1 indoor tropical aqua park!
An opportunity to travel the complete length of Dudley Tunnel and also visit Dudley's famous Limestone Mines.
An opportunity to travel the complete length of Dudley Tunnel and also visit Dudley's famous Limestone Mines, at the Dudley Canal Trust.
The Falkirk Wheel is one of Scotland's top tourist destinations and attracts visitors from all across the World.
A sanctuary caring for over 30 donkeys, plus 2 zeedonks, horses, and shetland ponies. There are also ducks and chickens to meet. Free to visit. Carrots available to feed to the animals.
Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary is a lovely place to take the kids to meet a load of donkeys, each with their own unique personalities and stories.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park is a theme park in Carrbridge, Highland, Scotland, UK that features numerous outdoor activities, rides and exhibits.
We have amazing rides for all the family! From the ‘white-knuckle’ rides of the ‘Looping Star Roller Coaster’, and White Water Log Flume, to the kiddies rides of Apple Family Coaster, there sure to be something for you at Scotland’s Greatest Indoor & Outdoor Entertainment Complex.
The National Forest Adventure Farm offers exciting indoor fun, outdoor adventure and farm animal experiences.
And in 2014 we became World Record Breakers - by making over 3,300 scarecrows!
Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary, CLAS, situated 2 miles outside Antrim town, is the only horse welfare charity based in N.Ireland. A unique range of horse riding lessons and experiences, including equine massage is on offer.
A riding school offering lots of horse riding opportunities. On pony days you spend the day learning to look after our ponies and have fun with your riding. You can also celebrate your birthday here at our cafe with a riding party for all of your friends.
Why do many schools return to Woodlands annually? Teachers tell us it is an easy to run, safe venue providing a wide variety of experiences including play, rides, zoo-farm interaction, falconry centre.
Thomley is an indoor and outdoor activity centre for disabled children, their family and friends. Including play fort, zip wire, park, cycle track, bikes, soft play area, play rooms, art room, sensory room, computer room, imagination room and fully accessible toilets.
BHS approved facility offering disabled and able bodied lessons and a variety of hacks including some designed for children.
A complete off road Pony Trekking Centre. All Weather riding all year round, even in the snow! Disabled customers catered for, Treks suitable for all levels of rider available, We cater for ages 4 upwards.
Look out for the Buzzards and Herons flying overhead whilst taking a trail ride around the Nature Reserve or a cheeky woodpecker in the woods!
BHS approved all weather facility specialising in riding opportunities for the disabled, plus RDA and able bodied lessons.
Welcome to England's Greatest Elizabethan house.
Welcome to Burghley, William Cecil’s ancestral home. This palatial Elizabethan prodigy house is still a much loved family home and we invite you to explore its historic collection of paintings, ceramics and works of art, many of which still stand where they were first recorded in 1688.
Founded in 1978, Calvert Trust is the inspiration of John Fryer-Spedding, whose vision was to enable people with disabilities to benefit from outdoor activities in the countryside.
LEGOLAND® Billund is Denmark’s most famous and popular amusement park for families and children of all ages. With so much fun, speed and action for the whole family, is just one day enough?
Set your imagination free – on land, at sea, and in the air
Offers children's, adults and family lessons from age 4; scenic farmland hacks, plus jumping, dressage and games.
Scenic hacks across 250 acre farm, plus jumping, dressage and games
Lightwater Valley is full of fun and adventure. We are the home of Europe’s longest rollercoaster - The Ultimate. We have over 40 other rides including the Falls of Terror, Raptor Attack, Twister, the Flying Cutlass and Ladybird. We also offer falconry displays, themed workshops, adventure playgrounds and cafes.
We cater for children from age 5 upwards.
Gardaland Park is the Number 1 Amusement Park in Italy, the one with the longest history and one of the most important ones at a European Level.
Our wide range of talks and workshops are curriculum-linked and suit ages from early years to college levels. Enjoy an exciting and educational visit, coming face-to-face with exotic animals and artefacts in our Education Centre.
A riding school offering lessons and great hacks, with a choice of over 50 horses, plus ponies for children. Suitable for all levels of ability. Regular fun rides held throughout the year.
School Adventures at Chessington
Home to the renowned Strumpshaw Steam Rally, the museum houses a nostalgic collection of traction engines, steam rollers, tractors and beam engines.
There’s also a Christie cinema organ and fairground organs and you can take a countryside walk or a trip on the narrow gauge railway to explore the grounds of the old hall.
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.