NATURE RESERVES FOR EDUCATION TRIPS

Wood Lane, Ellesmere
Bird-rich wetlands created as part of the restoration process in worked-out areas of the sand and gravel quarry.

• Use the spacious bird watching hides where you can spot many kinds of water and garden birds.
• Go bug hunting in the woods or explore the meadow.
• Take a trailer tour of the largest sand and gravel quarry in North Shropshire.
• Listen to the Ice Age story told by the talking rocks.
• Try the waste free lunch challenge.
• The site offers toilet and hand washing facilities as well as covered areas for lunch or wet weather.

A guide to Wood Lane school trips can be found here.

Llynclys Common, Oswestry
This is a wonderfully varied nature reserve with lots of open space for exploration.

• Compare and contrast the different habitats from woods and sunny glades to meadows and a pond
• Discover the huge variety of life
• Ideal site for larger groups
• Excellent fieldwork opportunities

Merrington Green, Baschurch
An ancient common, with areas of woods and grassland.

• Pond dipping
• Woodland bird identification
• Grassland wild flower surveys
• All ability trail
• Excellent fieldwork opportunities

The Stiperstones, approx 10 miles south-west of Shrewsbury
A craggy, heathland ridge with a wealth of wildlife, myth and legend.

• Sit in the Devils chair, be thrilled by the legend of Wild Edric, listen to the skylarks and look out for red grouse or raven.
• Long walks in the hills
• Art projects
• Fieldwork on heather and heathland management

Granville, Oakengates, Telford
Nature has reclaimed this place after centuries of industrial activity. Orchids flourish on old pitmounds and trees hide the built relics of the area's mining history.

• Den building
• Bug hunting
• Woodland and grassland habitats
• A level fieldwork opportunities

Mahorall Farm
Beautiful farm in the Clee Hills, south Shropshire. Exmoor ponies, wildlife trails, orchards and wild flowers.

• Groups can help with the apple harvest
• Learn about fermentation, life cycles and farming life
• Make some apple juice
• Explore the nature trail
• Visit the Exmoor ponies and learn how to help wildlife
• Blossom walks

All sites have risk assessments and are monitored for tree risks.

"Thank you very much for the wonderful visit to Wood Lane last week. The children (and staff) had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It led to some lovely follow-up work back in school, with the children producing a big book of their work.

The activities you led were just right for our children, and the guided visit to the quarry and recycling areas were great. I learnt a lot as well as the children!"

Paul Sweetnam
Headteacher
Bickerton Holy Trinity CE Primary School