The charm of Fyvie ranges from its 13th-century origins to its stunning Edwardian interiors. The castle is home to a superb collection of arms, armour and paintings, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough.
Early Years (2-4)
Early Years (2-4)
In recent years there has been a cultural shift in our society that has reduced the access and use of outdoors for many young children.
A number of factors are blamed, including increased fear amongst adults in relation to children’s safety, anxieties about the threat of abduction, and technological advances leading to an overwhelming prominence of more sedentary indoor activities, such as television and computer games. However, the developmental needs of young children have remained constant and the outdoor environment continues to be essential to their health, development and well-being. Therefore, regular opportunities for sustained periods of play in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment offer a wide range of benefits to babies, toddlers and young children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum, which covers children aged birth to the end of the Reception year, became statutory in September 2008 and places strong emphasis on the importance and value of daily outdoor experiences for children’s learning and development.
Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being. It gives them contact with the natural world and offers them experiences that are unique to outdoors, such as direct contact with the weather and the seasons. Outdoor play also supports children’s problem-solving skills and nurtures their creativity, as well as providing rich opportunities for their developing imagination, inventiveness and resourcefulness.
And, of course, the outdoor environment offers more space than indoors and therefore is particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. For many children, playing outdoors at their early years setting may be the only opportunity they have to play safely and freely while they learn to assess risk and develop the skills to manage new situations.
While many of these experiences will take place on-site, outdoor learning may also take place within the local community, for example a walk to the bakery, or past the building site on the way to the park. These off-site ‘expeditions’ offer both children and adults a catalyst for play and conversations. Ultimately, play and learning that flow seamlessly between indoors and outdoors make the most efficient use of resources and build on interests and enthusiasms. Forest Schools are growing in popularity across the UK and are increasingly offered as part of the early years curriculum in schools and settings.
Finally, parental involvement in children’s learning is particularly important in the early years as parents and carers are the child’s first educators. Early years settings, including children’s centres, are increasingly involving parents in developing and using their outdoor areas and in supporting other outdoor learning opportunities.
Suitable Venues
The Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust was set-up in 2007 to take over the remaining building of the former Ferryhill locomotive depot, restore it and transform the site into a working railway heritage site for the North East of Scotland. In this endeavor, the Ferryhill Railway Heritage Trust has the active support of Aberdeen City Council and the Ferryhill Community Council.
Full steam ahead for great family fun
This hidden gem, only 40 minutes from Glasgow and Edinburgh, is located in the historic town of Bo’ness.
Visitor centre with permanent and temporary exhibits, café and shop
Restored William Adam hunting lodge with Visitor Centre set in 500 acre country park with superb views north to Ben Lomond. Ten miles of footpath in historic landscape and Avon River gorge including ancient oaks and extensive semi-natural woodland. Visitor centre with permanent and temporary exhibits, historic garden and adventure play area.
A four star visitor attraction, Motherwell Heritage Centre features Technopolis, an award-winning interactive experience on the area's past
Housed in a stunning modern building at the top of Hamilton Road, just opposite the station, Motherwell Heritage Centre features Technopolis, an award-winning interactive experience on the area’s past from the Romans to the great days of heavy industry.
The UK's only China Clay Museum and Country Park. It's a blast at Wheal Martyn!
Set in 26 acres of woodland, on the outskirts of St Austell, the UK's only china clay museum and country park provides a fascinating day out for all the family. The park is set in the grounds of two former working china clay pits and provides visitors with a fascinating insight into china clay.
Sea, Boats and Cornwall...
The multi-award winning National Maritime Museum Cornwall has 15 galleries, over five floors beautifully illustrating the past, present and future of this island nation. Silver winner of UK Heritage Attraction of the Year at the 2013 British Travel Awards, the Museum features a number of stunning exhibitions dedicated to the sea, boats and Cornwall.
Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the Leach Pottery is probably the most famous and certainly the most influential studio pottery in the world. Today the Leach Pottery is a living tribute to Bernard Leach and his legacy. Visitors to the Pottery can see the original workshops and kiln shed, including the three-chambered Japanese climbing kiln, built in 1923.
Bodmin Town Museum is situated on the lower ground floor of The Public Rooms which are on the site of Bodmin's Franciscan Friary.
The Museum houses a rich heritage of artifacts and collections that tell the story of Bodmin from the earliest times. Displays of material relating to social life, trade and transport, rocks and minerals, the World Wars, Cornish kitchen, Law and Order.
The Bluebell Museum collects, preserves, interprets and makes accessible to the public, artefacts, history, customs, practice and skills relating specifically to the Bluebell Railway and generally to the railways in the South of England.
Blackwell is an internationally important icon of Arts and Crafts architecture. Built as a late Victorian holiday home for Manchester industrialist and Mayor Sir Edward Holt, it is a stunning example of the social mobility and artistic response to the Industrial Revolution.
Discover a world where costumed characters demonstrate life in the industrial age
26 acres of open-air museum, comprising village, live period craft, underground mining experience and tram rides, plus plenty more. Our award-winning corner of the West Midlands is now one of the finest and largest museums in the United Kingdom.
A gallery full of contemporary craft, displays of historic items, plus events for all ages. Great inspiration for your little art fans as you can hold and touch a number of items. Free to visit.
The gallery has a changing exhibition programme that features some great examples of modern craft such as jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and more.
A family home for 500 years
Situated on a plateau above the gorge of the River Severn, this fine stone house has mullioned and transomed windows, a stunning interior with carved oak staircase and decorated plaster ceilings and oak panelling.
Glorious gardens surround this baroque mansion with National Portrait Gallery paintings
Inspired by his Grand Tour, John Bourchier created Beningbrough, an Italian Palace nestled between York, Harrogate and Leeds. The impressive rooms are a perfect backdrop for the rich collection of portraits on loan from the National Portrait Gallery, Beningbrough’s long-term partner.
The Perfect English Country House?
Begun for Sir John Brownlow in 1685, Belton was certainly designed to impress and across its 300 year history, each generation of the Brownlows left their creative mark.
Southend Planetarium offers visitors an unique experience and can seat around 20 people. There is a changing programme of talks about astronomy and the night sky throughout the year.
The Planetarium is situated on the first floor within Central Museum.
The Museum was founded in 1976 and for twenty years occupied two rooms at the Quaker Hall, Beccles. In 1996 it moved to Leman House in Ballygate, Beccles where it can still be found. The collection has mainly been built up through donations and concentrates on objects and information related to Beccles and the surrounding area.
The Beaney is an Art Museum and Library situated in the heart of the historic city of Canterbury. This fabulous new facility provides state of the art exhibition galleries, a brand new
An 18th-century house, a 1950s home
Basildon Park, a Georgian mansion surrounded by parkland, was lovingly rescued by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s. The house you see today is a re-creation and restoration of the 18th-century mansion. They restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings.
Britain's last surviving working Roundhouse
Whatever your memories of Britain’s railways you’ll be amazed at what you can see at Barrow Hill and its preserved Roundhouse.
Throughout each year the galas feature working steam and diesel locomotives, which are often joined by a variety of visiting steam and modern diesel locomotives off the main line.
Climb to the top of this 1000 year old Norman Castle for stunning panoramic views across Sussex.
The adjoining Barbican House is home to the Museum of Sussex Archaeology and houses local collections from the Stone Age to medieval times. A mini-cinema tells the story of Lewes from prehistoric to Victorian times.
Restored to its Edwardian glory, Bantock House is a hidden treasure set within 43 acres of parkland and surrounded by delightful formal gardens.
Banbury Museum is a great museum full of local interest with a range of activities for kids of all ages.
There are prize trails for all ages, plus Drawing for All, activity backpacks for 3 to 5 year olds and Craft Activities through the ArtCart.
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