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Farm Visits
Popular with smaller children, there are a number of farms open to the public in and around Bristol. The Windmill Hill, St Werburghs and Lawrence Weston city farms around Bristol cater for group visits, and are accessible for all special needs.
Outside Bristol, take a trip to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, perhaps as part of a beach visit to Brean Sands.
The Soil Association also has leads to farm trails, guided walks and activities throughout the summer on their network farms, as well as open days and events. They encourage groups to build close, long-lasting ties with a local organic farm. Hundreds of farms up and down the country take part in Open Farm Sunday each year - a day when thousands of people visit farms to see for themselves what farmers do. It is a fantastic opportunity to hear the story behind the food we all enjoy everyday - from breakfast to supper. See the Soil Association website for the organic farms taking part or the Open Farm Sunday website for details of all the farms.
Farms For City Children aim to develop the potential of children from urban areas by offering them a week on one of their three farms – in West Wales, North Devon or Gloucestershire. The children get involved in all aspects of farm life through a structured programme of activities ranging from milking and mucking out, lambing and calving, feeding and grooming, to apple pressing and cheese making. They are guaranteed a warm, friendly environment, home cooking and comfortable accommodation, including classroom, library, quiet room and games room. The experience relates directly to many areas of the National Curriculum and to vital environmental and conservation issues. They have links with writers and artists, going right back to their Founding President, the late Ted Hughes, and founding Director, Michael Morpurgo. They believe creative work reinforces learning and have an Artist in Residence scheme. Can take groups of 36-40 and stay for seven days.
See also Residentials
Festivities - Local and Traditional
A number of children-friendly festivals take place every summer.
Glastonbury Children’s Festival is run by Children’s World Charity based in Glastonbury, Somerset. Visit their website to see what else they do.
Bath Fringe Festival takes place every May for 17 days, and each year sees the return of the Bath Festival of Children’s Literature.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta - Ashton Court Estate
Bristol International Kite Festival - Ashton Court Estate
Bristol Docks Heritage Weekend in mid May celebrates Bristol’s trains, cranes, cars, boats and ships and is held down at the City Docks.
Wildscreen Festival is a week-long festival of moving images from the natural world - with over 100 separate events, the Festival provides a first class programme of thought provoking lectures and debates, film screenings, workshops and masterclasses.
Fishing
Whether it’s the calming, peaceful, contemplative, nature of river fishing, or the excitement and drama of sea angling, you’ll be amazed at how many teenagers love it...
For information on fishing on Bristol Water’s lakes – Chew Valley, Bladgon, The Barrows and Litton – look at the Bristol Water site. You need a fishing permit, though juniors fish for free if accompanied by a paying adult.
For a list of fishing clubs who may be able to offer expert advice look at Avon Fishing Clubs – or contact Clevedon Pier Sea Angling Club.
A wide variety of fish can be found in the lakes and pools in the Forest of Dean. Contact the Forest of Dean Angling Club for details regarding fishing licences and permits.
Forest Schools
Forest School aims to introduce children to the natural world and allows them to gain confidence and respect for themselves and the environment around them.
Leigh Woods Rangers work with all sorts of youth groups, and will help you organise a course in the woods. Contact them a few months in advance, though, as they get busy. The Forestry Commission has ideas too.
N.Devon Outdoor Learning Partnership run courses throughout the year, offering a taste of rural or wild living at a basic level through to more advanced skills and techniques. From early morning spring-time bird watching to 3-day Bushcraft experiences.
Forest Schools are another approach, a unique way of building independence and self-esteem in young children, which started up in Scandanavia in the 1950s. Forest schools programmes – often run in conjunction with schools - provide opportunities for children to develop self-esteem and self-confidence by working close to nature. Working in the woods also allows them to work as a team and practise speaking, listening and practical skills. Visit the Forest Education website for more info.
These programmes have been shown to benefit children and young people of any age, including those with learning and behavioural difficulties. Worcestershire Forest School is one example not too far from Bristol.
If you take your group for a day out in the woods somewhere, make sure they know the forest code:
- Take home your litter and your memories – nothing else
- Respect the peace and quiet of the forest and its wildlife
- Keep clear of all tree felling and other operations
- Never light fires – and smokers TAKE CARE
- Camp only in campsites
- Permits are needed for fishing
- Don’t pick wild flowers