Visiting Groups
The Box Moor Trust manages almost 500 acres of land, which includes a range of habitats: woodlands, rivers and flood meadows, wildflower meadows and chalk grassland. The majority of the land is grazed, a traditional conservation method, by our herd of Belted Galloway cattle, flock of rare bread Norfolk Horn sheep, and Old English goats.
What we offer
Facilities and equipment can be independently hired for organisations that would prefer to run their own sessions and self-led visits.
We run events for home educators and children, and activities with reduced numbers for SEN and children and adults that find busy places difficult to navigate. For availability please click here to visit our Bookwhen page.
Where appropriate, priority will be given for bookings made by groups, organisations and schools within the Area of Benefit.
Our Locations
Everyone is free to explore the Box Moor Trust estate, its diverse habitats and variety of flora and fauna.
Our group bookings are held at The Old Barn or Gadespring Cressbeds – these two locations offer all necessary facilities, and are great hubs to begin exploration activities.
- Surrounded by meadows and woodland.
- Building situated at the top of an all weather track leading into the woodland towards the newly renovated Preston Hill Pond.
- An enclosed paddock, small sensory garden and a secure pond area – fully accessible.
- Located in close proximity to two enclosed woodland/forest school areas.
- Toilets and hand-washing facilities – including less-abled and baby change.
- Hall/classroom seats up to 30 people.
- Car parking immediately adjacent to the building. Please note: this is not suitable for coach parking or drop off
- Wetland nature reserve with bird watching hide and a sheltered bird watching area.
- An enclosed grass area adjacent to buildings.
- A secure pond dipping platform.
- Situated within walking distance from wildflower meadows and the River Bulbourne.
- Toilets and hand-washing facilities – including less-abled.
- Hall/classroom seats up to 30 people
- Minibuses can drop off at site.
- Coach drop off available at Camelot Rugby Club, a short walk from the site.
Pricing
Ranger-led sessions
Sessions 2 hours or less – £50
Sessions 2 hours or more – £5 per person (minimum of £50)
Leaders/teachers and pupil premium students attend for free
Out of hours charge – £35
Cleaning fee – £35
Independent Hire Terms and conditions found here. Costs available on request – please contact environment@boxmoortrust.org.uk
Activities available
Bat walk
Bug Hunting
Fire Lighting
Livestock Visits
Meadow Sweeping
Orienteering Trail
Owl Pellets
Pond Dipping
Quadrat Surveying
Ranger Walk
River Dipping
Shelter Building
Sessions available - tailored for school children
Length: Full day – Location: Gadespring and The Old Barn
Key Stage 1
- Learn about the different habitats Box Moor Trust manages – meadows, woodlands, rivers and ponds
- Understand how different creatures have adapted to their environments
- Participate in at least two of the following activities: bug hunting, river/pond dipping, tree shaking and meadow sweeping
Key Stage 2 – in addition to the above;
- Factors affecting differen habitats
Length: Full day – Location: Gadespring and The Old Barn
Key Stage 1
- Learn about the life cycle of an amphibian and an insect
- Participate in at least two of the following activities: bug hunting, river/pond dipping, tree shake and meadow sweeping
Key Stage 2 – in addition to the above;
- Learn about the life cycle of a bird and a mammal
Length: 2-3 hours – Location: Gadespring and The Old Barn
Key Stage 1
- Understand the different parts of plants and how plants disperse their seeds
- Discover how to identify different plant species
- Meadow sweep to find invertebrates that live amongst the plants and grasses
Key Stage 2 – in addition to the above;
- Understand how different plants adapt to their habitats
- Learn about different environmental factors affecting plants
Length: Full day – Location: Gadespring
Key Stage 2
- Learn about different species found in the River Bulbourne with biological surveys.
- Understand water quality and its effects
- River profiling
- River model demonstration
Key stage 3 and Key Stage 4 – in addition to the above;
- Learn about river restoration and how the River Bulbourne was restored.
- Water vole reintroduction and key species indicators.
Length: Full day – Location: Gadespring
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4
- Learn about different surveying methods such as small mammal survey, quadrats and transects
- Participate in surveying of grassland, riverfly and water voles.
Booking your visit
All bookings must be made using our online booking forms.
Please note: bookings should be made 6 weeks in advance of your visit. Your visit is not confirmed upon completing a booking form. Once we have received your request we will be in contact to confirm and invoice.
Additional Information
Here we have included other information you may need as a group leader, or anyone thinking of booking a visit to the Box Moor Trust. If you need any further or specific information from us please contact our team via email at environment@boxmoortrust.org.uk
The Box Moor Trust has a Policy and Code of Practice on Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk. Please find a copy here.
Please note that, for health and safety reasons, e.g. a forecast of storms or gusting winds of over 30mph, or high water levels (for river studies), we may have to cancel your visit at short notice. We will inform you of this as soon as possible after conditions have been assessed to be dangerous.
We ask school teaching staff to take primary responsibility for first aid and advise that first aid provisions should be brought from school. Box Moor Trust staff are first aid trained and carry a basic first aid kit.
The incidence of Lyme Disease, a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks, has increased in the UK in recent years. To reduce the risk of bites from any ticks found in the long grass at our sites, we ask that all visitors wear full-length trousers. For certain activities that involve close proximity to long grass, e.g. river studies and grassland sweeps, participation will be limited to visitors wearing long trousers.
Risk Assessments are provided for all environmental awareness activities at the Box Moor Trust. However, visiting teachers should ensure that they carry out their own Risk Assessments as they know the children that will be present. Please ensure that each adult on your trip is aware of the potential hazards and risks that may be encountered during the visit. Our Risk Assessments also contain important information you may need in the event of an emergency. A copy of our risk assessment can be found here.