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.
Sensory Trail
Sensory Trail
What is it?
A sensory trail is the activity of following a set path or group of tasks that will engage all of the senses. The specific content of a sensory trail will vary between providers, but the main aim is for each participant to use every single one of their senses to interact with their surroundings.
What does it involve?
Going on a trail can involve many different things - being blindfolded is a popular aspect of a sensory trail, as it takes away the heavy reliance on sight and forces people to use their other senses to navigate the environment and overcome obstacles. Identifying things by touch, smell, sound and taste are also likely to be included in a sensory trail, but there are no guarantees - a sensory trail should always be a surprise!
Why do it and what are the benefits?
Participation in a sensory trail has many benefits! It can create a strong bond within the student group as they experience it together, and brings awareness to the huge variety of ways you can interact with the environment. Humans are very sight-reliant, and examining the other senses as tools can be excellent for helping students become more aware of their own bodies and what they could be capable of.
What equipment do we need?
A sensory trail should not need any equipment provided on your behalf, as it's almost certain you will be with an activity provider who should set everything up for you!
Who is it suitable for?
Should be suitable for all ages in general, but younger groups may benefit from the experience more! Older students may be more cynical of the idea and have less patience for it, but the novelty of a sensory trail will make it great fun for younger students.
Costs?
Will vary between providers depending on complexity of the activity. Some sensory experiences are reasonably small (a specially planted sensory garden, for example) while others can be elaborate trails through the forest with many activities available - prices will obviously be higher for the more intense experiences.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Younger students will need careful supervision during such an experience, as some may become unnerved by things such as a blindfold!
How do we include?
Sensory trails will be one of the best things out there to include everybody in. The majority of providers will be set up for involving those with disabilities, and for those with sight/hearing/speech/learning difficulties will have a great time on a sensory trail as they get to use the senses they have to their full ability instead of focusing upon the one they are disadvantaged in.
Doing it abroad?
It's likely you will find variants upon the sensory trail all over the world! They may be advertised slightly differently in foreign countries, so if you wish to incorporate one into your visit then make sure to research what's available before you go.
Main website:
Individual venue websites will have the best information about their specific activities.
Venues with this Activity
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.
Abbey Park lies approximately one mile north of the City centre. The River Soar divides this beautiful park into two distinct areas: to the east of the river lies the highly decorative Victorian part of the park with its evergreen shrubberies, trees, lakes and formally planted flower displays.
Brandon Marsh is the ideal place for your school visit due to its excellent opportunities for learning about nature, wildlife and the environment. We have ponds, bird hides, meadows and woodlands all set within our 200 acre nature reserve. The Education Team can provide your school with a tailor made package for your day where you can cover up to four topics.
So much to explore
Box Hill is the perfect place to discover a family walk and explore the beautiful Surrey Hills. Forming part of the North Downs, Box Hill has breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside. It's home to some fantastic wildlife and plants too, including the Adonis blue butterfly and bee orchid.
Our visitor centre in the heart of Shrewsbury is a haven for wildlife in a uniquely accessible location. The walled wildlife garden is particularly suitable for groups of younger children and for older groups the centre makes a perfect base to explore the Reabrook Valley Local Nature Reserve. Toilets, disabled access, shop, refreshments, classroom, coach parking.
Colourful floral displays from spring to autumn!
Flower-filled park containing a sensory garden, an exotic glasshouse, a lake with ducks and swans, and a boating pond. There is also a nearby ship-themed adventure play area (see full details for information).
Things to enjoy
The Parkridge Centre is in a great location in the heart of Brueton Park, Solihull. It is an ideal location for younger children to explore their local area and experience the wonderful nature and wildlife that our area has to offer.
Adventure playground, sensory garden and fitness equipment are dotted about this picturesque freebie.
Among a host of new features and improvements carried out are the creation of a new main entrance, an adventure play area for 10 to 16 year olds, a sensory garden, new fitness equipment, pathways being built, enhanced signage and additional seating and bins installed.
Human activity is dramatically evident in the huge chunk blasted out of the hillside to provide road stone for the nearby A5. This had the unexpectedly wonderful effect of laying bare the earth’s history; revealing rocks from the earliest beginnings of life on this planet.
Relics of former industrial activity, including furnaces and an old winding house, are now surrounded by woodland full of birds, while pit mounds of waste have been transformed into flower-rich grassland and heath. An abundance of bird’s-foot trefoil now feeds generations of caterpillars of Telford’s speciality butterflies, the dingy skipper and green hairstreak. Coach parking.
Lightmoor lies on the fringes of urban Telford, surrounded by the thriving communities of Lightmoor village and Doseley. Look around as you walk and you will see the history of this place. Heaps of coal, clay and ironstone waste from the 18th century mines were piled onto the medieval field patterns, and tracks, tramways and an early canal cut across the landscape.
Bury Knowle is one of Oxford's most beautiful parks and the historic Bury Knowle House and its parkland setting provides a picturesque back-drop for picnics and events.
Local people see the shape of a sleeping dragon in Earl’s Hill and fiery its beginnings certainly were. This distinctive, humped hill roared forth from a volcano some 650 million years ago. An Iron Age hill fort was built on its lofty summit around 600 BC and if you can manage the very steep climb you will be rewarded with spectacular views.
Discover a medieval castle, now a green oasis for wildlife but still at the centre of daily life
Although you might not think it today, the mount and surrounding lands are the remnant of an early medieval wooden motte and bailey castle built by Sweyn, Sheriff of Essex. With the castle long gone, the area is now an urban wildlife haven and green lung in the heart of Rayleigh town centre, offering sweeping views across the Crouch Valley.
Offering teaching, flume and middle pools plus diving and standard lane swim facilities. Also home to a great indoor play zone and a sensory room.
Wood Lane is a man-made nature reserve on restored quarry workings. A visit here offers the unique opportunity to combine wildlife sessions with a tour of the working sand and gravel quarry, active landfill site and the largest material recycling facility in Europe.Toilets, disabled access, classroom, coach parking.
Activity examples:
The Boathouse occupies a beautiful spot overlooking The Mere in Ellesmere. Each spring, herons nest on Moscow Island and our cameras catch all the action. Experts are on hand to answer questions and can provide educational sessions on these amazing birds.
The Stockwood Discovery Centre is designed with environmentally green and sustainable principles in mind.
With interactive display, variety of gardens, children play area, special events and activities, bee gallery and much more, it is a wonderful visitor attraction and museum. Collection highlights include the Wenlok Jug, the Shillington gold coin hoard and the Mossman collection.
Set in part of a 600 acre working farm, which provides a varied selection of animals to see including llamas, goats, peacocks and red deer. Kids will also enjoy the adventure playground and the go kart track!
Educational Visits
Our nature reserves: a unique resource for outdoor learning. Woodland, flower-rich meadows, hills, wild heathland and wetlands ringing with bird calls: our nature reserves are found throughout Shropshire and, together, total 750 hectares. They protect rare and threatened habitats but can also be a gateway for children to experience the natural world.
At the Royal Victoria Park there are a wide range of activities that you can enjoy.
Wildlife and Habitats
Step back to the 1770s at poet William Wordsworth’s childhood home
Wordsworth House and Garden, in the Cumbrian town of Cockermouth, is the birthplace and childhood home of romantic poet William and his sister Dorothy.
It is presented as it would have been when they lived here with their parents, three brothers and servants in the 1770s.
At our PGL centre, as well as recently constructed accommodation, dining room and indoor activity zone, there are more than 20 activities all situated on site. Marchants is also the only centre to have the awesome new Powerfan freefall activity!
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