Nature Reserve Sessions

Book Educational Sessions at NWT Nature Reserves

Our sessions are all suitable for KS1 and KS2 and many are equally appropriate for GCSE and A’ Level students.

Sessions are available at the following four nature reserves:

Ranworth Broad
Hickling Broad
Cley Marshes
Holme Dunes

For greater educational impact, we suggest grouping the sessions you choose under one of the following themes:

Biodiversity
Living Landscapes
Sustainability 
The Coast

Each session lasts for around one hour and costs £2.25 + VAT per child. Teachers and accompanying adults are free. There is a minimum charge of £75 + VAT for half days and £135 + VAT for full days. We welcome self-guided groups but we request that they make a booking with us and we charge £1 + VAT per child for nature reserve entry.

Download a PDF of the Outdoor Learning Brochure (2.2mb) with full details of locations, sessions and how to book. 

Sessions

Boat trip

Available at Ranworth and Hickling from Easter until late September, boat trips allow children to experience wetland habitats from a unique perspective. Boat trip interpretation can readily be adapted for any age group or for any learning needs, though for safety reasons some mobility needs cannot be accommodated. Please note that boat trips are subject to weather conditions. Ranworth session plan, Hickling session plan

Brilliant birds

Children visit bird hides and use binoculars to meet the spectacular variety of birds found in Norfolk. By looking at birds’ bill shapes and body shapes they learn about adaptations for lives spent in different habitats. This session is available at Cley and Holme. Session plan

Bug habitat hunt

Investigate the fascinating world of mini-beasts and learn some of the techniques scientists use for studying them. This session, available at Ranworth, Hickling and Holme, helps children empathise with other organisms and understand how important every species is. Session plan

Changing coastline

This highly interactive and enjoyable session helps children understand the processes which shape our coastline and how they affect people by acting out the roles of the waves, the cliffs and sea defences. Available at Cley, Holme and West Runton, this session can also be adapted to suit the needs of GCSE and A’ Level students studying coastal processes. Session plan

Dyke dipping

Investigate freshwater ecology from specially-built dipping platforms at Ranworth and Hickling. Dyke-dipping allows children to engage with nature hands-on and to encounter the diversity of creatures living in freshwater, normally beyond their reach. Pond-dipping sessions are ideally suited for any age group from KS1 to A’ Level groups studying water quality or biotic indices. Session plan

Environmental games

Children use their senses and their imagination to learn about the natural world through play. Environmental games are available at Ranworth, Hickling, Cley and Holme, and can be adapted to suit themes being investigated by a class in school. This session is especially suitable for KS1 and KS2. Session plan

Habitat trail

This session gives an interactive introduction to the diverse habitats we protect and the fascinating creatures which inhabit them. Habitat trails allow children to explore the natural world with all their senses and can be adapted for any age group or for any learning needs. Available at Ranworth, Hickling, Cley and Holme.

Ranworth session plan, Hickling session plan, Cley session plan and Holme session plan 
 

Plant detectives

Children work as a team to explore the extraordinary lives of plants. Through identifying the many things plants do for us, they learn how important biodiversity is to our lives. This session is available at Ranworth, Hickling and Holme and is ideal for KS1 and KS2. Session plan

Rockpools and fantastic fossils

When tides allow, these two popular sessions, taught on the beach at West Runton, offer a perfect complement to sessions taught nearby at Cley. The rockpool world and Norfolk’s fossil history are both full of remarkable creatures. These sessions can be tailored to suit the needs of any age group, though for safety reasons some mobility needs cannot be accommodated. Rockpooling session plan and Fossils session plan

Sea dipping

When tides allow, sea dipping offers children a rare view of the fascinating wildlife found in the Wash off Holme beach. This is an ideal session for introducing children to the thrill of watching and identifying creatures in the world around them. Session plan

Strandline scavenge and sand sculpture

At Holme, children use all their senses to explore the natural materials washed up on the strandline of our beautiful beach. Using sand, shells and natural materials, they create a wild work of art which will be returned to nature with the next tide. Session plan

Sustainability Challenge

Pupils explore our Cley visitor centre and learn about the sustainable technologies used in this evironmentally friendly building. Session plan

Wild art

Inspired by the work of artists such as Andy Goldsworthy, children make their own temporary works of art from natural materials, with wild habitats as their background. This popular session, ideal for KS1 and KS2, is available at Ranworth, Hickling, Cley and Holme. Session plan

By arranging to visit one of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves you are entering into a formal agreement. Consult our Agreement of Roles statement for more information.