Educational group visits to Clumber Park

Three children looking at bugs within the bark of tree — Bug hunting in the woodland | © Paul Harris

With over 3,800 acres of varied habitats, Clumber Park is a natural classroom and we welcome educational groups to enhance their learning experience in the beautiful surroundings of this Grade I listed park.

Led activities

Led activities can be booked on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through the year. Activities are charged at a rate of £3.50 per child and will last for 1-2 hours per activity. There is a daily minimum payment of £200 per group to cover expenses associated with delivery of the activities.

Groups can choose up to three activities, all led by knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Choose from pond dipping, shelter building, habitats or map reading and orienteering.

Alternatively, activities can be tailored to fit the curriculum area being covered at the time of the visit. Activities must be indicated on booking, with a minimum of 8 weeks’ notice.

Led activities will be outdoors and suitable clothing and footwear for inclement weather should be worn.

Pond Dipping

The serpentine lake at Clumber Park is an ideal environment to study, sketch and research freshwater invertebrates.

Guided by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers, groups safely catch and contain the creatures that live within this habitat. Keys and guides are used to identify the invertebrates found, considering suitability of the habitat and environment and their life cycles.

Groups can then examine the invertebrates using our microscopes and considering and compare the parts of the body and their function, sketching and recording their findings within a nature journal.

Suitable for key stage 1-3.

Child pond dipping looking in to a net for creatures — Pond dipping | © Arnhel de Serra

Shelter Building

The Leaping Bar area at Clumber Park is ideal for den building. Devised by our Ranger team, the shelter building activity enhances team building skills, creativity and communication.

Led by our knowledgeable staff and volunteers, practical shelter building skills will be taught. Groups will be encouraged to consider the importance of shelter building for living organisms, the materials and resources available, and how these can be found and used to create shelters in a woodland setting. This activity can be adapted for all age groups.

Suitable for key stage 1-3.

Habitats

In Clumber Park there are many different habits to study and compare. Take a closer look in the lake and explore the woodland or historic gardens to discover what is living and growing in these areas.

Investigate the water, soil, leaf litter, shrub layer and the canopy for signs of life. Use our adapted worksheets to consider what an organism needs and what makes a suitable habitat.

Suitable for key stage 1-3.

Map reading and orienteering

Enjoy an introduction to orienteering activity to get to know the core areas of Clumber Park. This led session will build map reading and orienteering skills.

The session will begin with a variety of map reading exercises, including grid referencing and using a compass. Then practice some basics orienteering exercises before completing a short orienteering course to earn a certificate of completion.

This activity will take around 1.5 - 2 hours to complete and can be adapted for all age groups.

Suitable for key stages 1-4.

child holding a compass — Children orienteering at Clumber Park | © Ian Shaw

Additions

Educational visits can be tailored to your requirements. Choose the addition of room hire, led educational activities, cycle hire and a children’s lunch box.

Room Hire

Clumber Park has a private double classroom space available for hire. Both rooms contain a white board and projector. A limited number of desks and chairs can also be provided. Please indicate the number required on booking.

The Oak room (maximum of 30 people) and Lime room (maximum of 20 people) can be jointly booked for £75 per day between 10.00-16.00.

Cycle Hire

One of the best ways to explore the 3,800 acres of Clumber Park is on two wheels. Groups can hire from our large range of well-maintained and regularly serviced bikes at a reduced rate.

Food and Beverage

if refreshments are required, we can provide a lunch box with a sandwich, piece of fruit, crisps and a flapjack for £1.75 per child.

Admission

Admission to the Clumber park for groups of over 15 people is at the group reate of £4 per adult and £2 per child.

Alternatively, you may have, or wish to invest in an annual National Trust Education Group Membership for your school, giving the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

Find out about group membership here.

Information and booking

For further information and to book you educational group visit to Clumber Park please contact our Programing team at clumberprogramming@nationaltrust.org.uk