PLACES TO VISIT

Places to Visit

last updated Dec 2008

These local places to visit are all within about 1 hour's travel from Bolton or suitable for a 1/2 or full day visit.
 
Alternative Technology Centre, Hebden Bridge
Bolton Community Food Plots, Bolton (various sites)
Bolton Museum and Archive Service, Bolton
Countryside Service, Moses Gate, Moss Bank Park and Smithills, Bolton
Environmental Resource Centre, Bolton
Farm visits, FACE (Farming And Countryside Education)
Gravel Pits Action Group Site, Darcy Lever, Bolton
Martin Mere Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre, Ormskirk
Myerscough College, near Preston
National Wildflower Centre, Liverpool
Offshoots, Towneley Park, Burnley
Penwortham Environment Education Centre, Preston
Smithills Open Farm, Bolton
Southport EcoCentre, Southport
United Utilities Education Centres, Wigan and Leigh
Waste Works Education Centre, Manchester
 
The Teachernet website has listings of outdoor places to visit where children and young people's groups are particularly welcome. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools/region/placestovisit/index.cfm?rid=3
 
If you're interested in a trip further afield (for a residential perhaps?) these might be worth considering:
Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Wales www.cat.org.uk
Eden Project, Cornwall www.edenproject.com

Alternative Technology Centre (Hebden Bridge)

A Visitor Centre at Hebden Bridge with examples of sustainability, including a permaculture garden, wildlife gardens, and examples of renewable energy - solar and wind power.
 
They offer tours of the centre, and workshops including plastic recycling where pupils may bring along waste plastic and recycle it into something useful. They also have an interactive energy room, and advice on greening your school.
 
01422 842121
susschools@alternativetechnology.org.uk
www.alternativetechnology.org.uk

Bolton Community Food Plots

Several community-run allotments throughout the Borough, growing and sharing fruit and vegetables using organic methods. Encouraging people to grow their own food with support and training.
 
Advice about allotments and food growing in general.
Education opportunities in allotments, working with school groups doing curriculum based activities from:
 
Nikki Davidson Kerr,Food Growing Officer Tel: 01204 663754
ndavidson-kerr@lancswt.org.uk

Bolton Museum and Archive Service

Bolton Museums education section offer worksheets, activities and visits to Bolton Central Museum, Hall i'th' Wood Museum and Smithills Hall.
 
They provide a range of educational experiences, and a
programme for schools, with strong links to the curriculum. The activities complement museum collections and exhibitions, including a biodiversity exhibition with
1000s of specimens. Workshops can be adapted to meet the needs of groups.
 
There is a Biological Record Centre with 1000's of entries which is free for schools to use.
 
Catherine Simpson 01204 332236
catherine.simpson@bolton.gov.uk
 
http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/learning/

Countryside Service, Moses Gate, Moss Bank Park and Smithills

There are Countryside Ranger led activities for various age groups (free) at Moses Gate Country Park, Bolton. There is a shop, toilets and exhibition. There are also some activities based at Moss Bank Park and Smithills Country Park. If equipment is used for pond-dipping a hire charge is made.
 
Activities are based around butterflies, plants, minibeasts, birds, man's impact, habitats, soil and recycling, river studies and pond dipping. They can also tailor various activities to meet your needs.
 
Enquiries for both 334343
rangers@bolton.gov.uk

Environmental Resource Centre, Bolton

The Environmental Resource Centre is the Greater Manchester HQ for Lancashire Wildlife Trust and offers a variety of environmental education activities for school groups.
 
Education sessions are either half day or full day and are flexible to suit the demands of your learning criteria. The ERC is equipped with a resource room and workshop but benefits most from its excellent location next to Seven Acres Local Nature Reserve. Seven Acres LNR is home to a variety of habitats including grasslands, woodlands, ponds and a river which allow a wide variety of curriculum topics to be delivered in the outdoor environment.
 
LWT staff are trained in delivering the John Muir Award and so if you are interested in your students achieving accreditation with this programme this will be feasible.
 
Details on session fees, contents and bookings: Lancashire Wildlife Trust 01204 663754
 
http://www.lancswt.org.uk/Getting%20Involved/communityprojects/seven_acres.htm

Farm visits - FACE

FACE (Farming And Countryside Education) is an organisation which works with schools and farms to allow children the opportunity to find out about the countryside and "where their food comes from". If you are looking for resources related to the curriculum or need advice on how or where to take your pupils on a farm visit please contact:
 
Katy Pallas kpallas@myerscough.ac.uk 01995 642341
www.face-online.org.uk

Gravel Pits Action Group (GPAG) Darcy Lever

A voluntary conservation group* who look after an important wildlife site. It is on council land and open to anyone to visit anytime. There is an interesting variety of plant and animal species in several different habitats, including ponds.
 
Schools can visit the site on their own or could contact Andy from the Countryside Service to arrange a visit.
 
Andy Bailey 334042
 
*To get involved in practical conservation work at weekends contact David on 529312.
 
rangers@bolton.gov.uk

Martin Mere Wetlands, Ormskirk

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust is a Wetland conservation charity. They run several centres throughout the coutry, and the NW centre is at Martin Mere, near Omskirk.
 
Martin Mere Centre has seasonally flooded wetlands with a diverse selection of wildlife and birds. Educational visits are led by staff at the centre.
 
There is also a café, art gallery, and shops.
 
01704 895181
info.martinmere@wwt.org.uk
www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere

Myerscough College

Myerscough College is a land based college which offers local primary and secondary schools curriculum linked visits based around food, farming, the environment and countryside. Activities based on the dairy and sheep farm are very popular as are the activities which use the extensive grounds (woodlands, ornamental gardens, plant centre with tropical and temperate zones, kitchen garden area and allotment area). Activities can be tailored to suit the age of the pupils and curriculum requirements. Sustainability themes (such as food miles, seasonality, use of the countryside) can be linked to activities when required.
 
Bookings are taken in advance and teachers are welcome to view the facilities before making a booking. A small charge is made for each pupil.
 
For more information and current prices please contact the schools liaison team: schools@myerscough.ac.uk or 01995 642341

National Wildflower Centre, Liverpool

The National Wildflower Centre in Liverpool is a visitor attraction, with a small entry fee, open from April until September.
 
It offers a programme of educational activities. Groups can visit to learn all about the wildflowers that have been disappearing from our countryside, find out about creative conservation work to improve urban areas, and see pond wildlife and composting methods.
 
Ticky Lowe 0151 7381913
www.nwc.org.uk
info@nwc.org.uk

Offshoots, Towneley Park, Burnley

Offshoots is run by the Groundwork Trust and offers guided tours and sessions on "Sustainable living in action: bringing to life the links between biodiversity, energy, food and climate change."
 
They demonstrate that small and simple lifestyle changes can make a real difference in combating global warming.
 
Offshoots can provide expert advice and guidance on sustainable ways of living including: habitat studies, sustainability, organic gardening, recycling, general horticulture, aboriculture, beekeeping, micro-power generations and sustainable building techniques.
 
01282 450270
http://www.offshoots.org.uk/

Penwortham Environmental Education Centre, Preston

Environmental education centre with a classroom, experimental learning room, wildlife garden and grounds, and a resources library. They run half or full day education programmes for schools, (adaptable to requirements) and promote an Eco lunch.
 
They provide an education outreach facility for schools and uniformed groups, and provide training for teachers, youth leaders and rangers. Also they can offer some visits into schools with wildlife or waste activities.
01772 751110
http://www.envirocentre.org.uk/
 
There is also a Wildlife After Schools Project; see separate entry under gpitt@lancswt.org.uk

Smithills Open Farm

An open farm with a fine collection of traditional farm animals including calves, sheep, goats, horses, hens, ducks, as well as owls and other birds and the latest additions to the family; four Llamas. Most are under cover, and you can see them close up.
 
School are welcome to visit, and efforts are made by staff to meet any particular requirements. The farm is on Smithills Deane Road, Smithills, Bolton.
 
01204 595765
info@smithillsopenfarm.co.uk
www.smithillsopenfarm.co.uk

Southport EcoCentre

The Southport Eco Visitor-Centre offers a practical demonstration of sustainability. The Centre sits on the Esplanade Park and Ride site and offers free access to information about the environment with a particular focus on Climate Change, Energy, Water, Travel and Tourism. The centre includes a Shopmobility, Coach Driver's Lounge, Education and Conference Centre, Energy Garden, Concourse Displays, a teacher and restroom facilities. The centre includes a 20 KW wind turbine, heated by groundsource heatpumps with underfloor heating, solar heating provides the hotwater and rainwater is collected for flushing toilets.
Details: http://www.southportecocentre.com/education.htm
Contact: Julie.kirk@cs.sefton.gov.uk

United Utilities Education Centres

There are 2 environmental education centres - one at Wigan and one at Leigh. They offer environmental work opportunities indoors and fieldwork outside. There are programmes for KS2- the Water Cycle and Rainforest, and for KS3/4- Creativity in Science and Technology (leading to a CREST certificate).
 
There is also education available on electricity and circuits with plenty of practical tasks, such as investigating light bulbs, making circuits, role play, looking at alternative energy and a safety video.
 
Climate Change Programme & Energy, Leigh Centre
There is now an excellent programme looking at climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy for KS2. It involves innovative activites and shows how these can be taught through science, geography,drama, music, and literacy. Activities on offer include making a story book, delivering a news report, designin/making windmills, investigating wind outside, energy effciency challenge and looking at their own footprints.
Contact: Jackie O'Rielly at the Leigh Centre 01942 601114
http://www.unitedutilities.com/Educationcentres.htm
 
Janet Denver 01257 425550 - Worthington Lakes Centre (Wigan)
Elisa Wood 01942 601114 - Leigh Education Centre

Waste Works Environmental Centre

Waste Works is a purpose-built education centre in central Manchester (short walk from Victoria train station).
 
• Brings sustainability to life - see our recycling machine in action!
• Free hands-on programmes for 7-11 year olds
• Clear links to Key Stage 2 National Curriculum
• Free resources to help cut waste at home and school
 
If you are looking for a free environmental experience that your pupils will talk about for weeks, contact us on 0161 833 4563 or email wasteworks@co-operative.coop
 
Waste Works is managed by environmental charity Waste Watch on behalf of The Co-operative Group.
 
http://www.co-operative.coop/ethicsinaction/environment/waste/wasteworks/