Educational visits to our nature reserves

Welcome to Bickley Hall Farm, an organic, wildlife-friendly farm and the proud headquarters of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Nestled just outside Malpas in the heart of rural Cheshire, our farm is a haven for nature lovers and a hub for environmental education. 

School Visits 

Thanks to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, we offer 25 free school visits to Bickley Hall Farm each year. Each visit begins with a guided walk along our dedicated nature trail, where students can explore badger setts, barn owl boxes, and wildflower meadows. The trail, which meanders through our farming fields, is also open to the public. It’s a tranquil spot where, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a hare! 

Activities 

• Our activities vary with the seasons and weather conditions. They include: 

• Pond dipping 

• Exploring nocturnal animals 

• Orchard picking 

• Meadow sweeping 

• Sustainable celebrations 

• Art and mindfulness-based activities 

• Facilities 

While we spend most of our time outdoors, Bickley Hall Farm also features an exclusive indoor education classroom. This space is equipped with toilets, disabled facilities, and a kitchen, all reserved solely for visiting educational settings. 

Access 

Bickley Hall Farm is very accessible, with disabled access and toilet facilities. Please contact us so that we can support individuals’ specific needs. 

Get in touch

Welcome to Crown Farm Nature Reserve, a rewilded sand quarry in Oakmere. This unique reserve features diverse habitats including ponds, meadows, and woodlands, offering children a wonderful environment to explore and learn about nature. 

Activities 

Our activities vary with the seasons and weather conditions. They include: 

• Bug hunting 

• Invertebrate surveying 

• Wildlife identification 

• Meadow sweeping 

• Sustainable celebrations 

• Art and mindfulness-based activities 

Facilities 

Our reserve is equipped with an outdoor hut and compost toilets, ensuring an eco-friendly experience for all visitors. The day is very much spent in the elements, so appropriate clothing is essential. 

Access 

The nature reserve is a short walk from the parking area, through a beautiful meadow. If any attendees have accessibility needs, please let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements. Please note that all education days at Crown Farm are planned to be fully outdoors. 

Get in touch

Nestled in the heart of the Swettenham Valley near Holmes Chapel, this site is one of Cheshire’s hidden gems. It features a mosaic of habitats, including ancient woodland, a stream, and species-rich meadows. These diverse environments support an abundance of wildlife, most notably 14 resident species of butterfly. It’s an ideal location for Forest School or habitat studies! 

School Visits 

This tranquil spot is perfect for Forest School experiences, habitat studies, pond surveying, or river surveying. Younger children can explore, create, and investigate the wonders of the ancient woodland, while older students have the opportunity to engage in green skill activities that can inform their future career choices. 

Activities 

Our activities vary with the seasons and weather conditions. They include: 

• Pond dipping 

• Den building 

• Fire lighting 

• Shelter making 

• Bug hunting 

• River dipping 

• Art and mindfulness-based activities 

Facilities 

The site is equipped with a single composting toilet, and most activities will be conducted outdoors. In case of unexpected adverse weather, we can retreat to the nearby Swettenham Arms. It is essential that all visitors dress appropriately for the weather. 

Access 

Please contact us so that we can support individuals’ specific needs. 

Get in touch

Thurstaston Beach is a wide, sandy beach leading to mudflats and backed by clay cliffs. It’s an ideal location for learning about our coastline, marine wildlife, and sustainability. 

School Visits 

Thurstaston is perfect for educational trips focused on our coastline, marine wildlife, and sustainability. It’s great for conducting shoreline surveys and hands-on practical tasks related to seashore conservation. 

Activities 

Our activities vary with the seasons and weather conditions. They include: 

• Mud dipping 

• Strandline search/survey 

• Water quality testing 

• Bird and seashell identification, as well as crabs and other marine life 

• Coastal erosion studies 

• Sand sculptures (enjoyable for all ages) 

• Art and mindfulness-based activities 

Facilities 

We often rent the local Siddings for exclusive use, providing a dry place to store bags, numerous toilets, and a small kitchen space. It offers shelter on inclement days. Before descending to the beach, there are also two local cafés. 

Access 

Access to the beach is a short walk through Wirral Country Park and down some steep wooden steps to the shore. Please contact us so that we can support individuals’ specific needs. 

Get in touch

West Kirby Beach is a wide, sandy beach leading to mudflats at the mouth of the estuary. It offers stunning views of the Dee Estuary, Welsh hills, and nearby Hilbre Islands. Like much of the Wirral, it is a haven for an abundance of accessible wildlife. 

School Visits 

West Kirby is perfect for accessible educational trips focused on our coastline, marine wildlife, and sustainability. It’s great for conducting coastal surveys and hands-on practical tasks related to seashore conservation. 

Activities 

Our activities vary with the seasons and weather conditions. They include: 

• Mud dipping 

• Strandline search/survey 

• Water quality testing 

• Bird and seashell identification, as well as crabs and other marine life 

• Coastal erosion studies 

• Sand sculptures (enjoyable for all ages) 

• Art and mindfulness-based activities 

Facilities 

We are often based at the local watersports centre, which provides us with toilets, space to store bags, and occasionally a dry space for picnics. They also kindly lend us one of their beach wheelchairs with prior arrangement. 

Access 

West Kirby is one of the most accessible beaches in the area. It provides easy access for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. We can also arrange for the rental of beach wheelchairs for those who need them. Please contact us so that we can support individuals’ specific needs. 

Get in touch

We take bookings all year round. The sooner you book, the more choice you'll have and more flexible we can be with available dates and locations. 

The days have pre-planned lessons and objectives that can be adapted to suit the needs of your class. Please note any suggestion or requirements on the enquiry form and we will adapt where we can to meet your needs. 

Bickley Hall Farm - 2 classes 

Crown Farm Quarry – 1 class 

Gowy Meadows and Holly Bank House – 1 class The Quinta – 1 class 

Thurstaston Beach – 2 classes 

Please speak to us if you have a larger group in mind. 

Please see our Grounds Services offered and Wilder Education Network for more ideas on how to keep your pupils connected with wildlife. 

Our Wilder Education Network exists so we can keep schools informed on funded opportunities as they arise. Click here to join the network

We believe sessions held at our nature reserves have the most impact but can also adapt sessions to be delivered at your nursery, school or college.