Natural England - North Walney: school and community groups

North Walney: school and community groups

North Walney National Nature Reserve offers exciting and engaging outdoor learning opportunities. Why not get your pupils out of the classroom, and bring their learning to life in the great outdoors?

School group at North Walney © Annie Masson

  • Activity sessions for school or community groups led by our Community Outreach Advisor

  • Spectacular habitats to explore

  • Curriculum linked sessions and cross-curricular learning

  • Equipment and resources such as minibeast pots, nets and spotters guides available for use on site

Primary school visits

We offer a range of FREE and exciting learning opportunities for primary schools. Please click on the links below to find out more!

Primary schools outdoor visits: (246kb)pdf document

Barrow’s Wildside Wildlife workshops: (190kb)pdf document

Dock Museum Wildlife Detectives!: (360kb)pdf document

Secondary schools, colleges and universities

North Walney NNR provides the ideal location for a range of interesting and meaningful studies and research projects. From a whole class sand dune flora survey, to a specialist and individual research project, we are happy to support education on the reserve, and we may be able to provide you with ideas and activities.

We also work with the National Trust at the nearby Sandscale Hawes NNR to provide work experience placements for students. However, these are subject to staff availability so please contact us early to arrange.

We can also arrange for secondary schools and colleges to take part in a beach clean, giving the students the chance to make a difference to their local area, and to learn about a serious local issue affecting both wildlife and people.

Youth group visits

We cater for youth groups too! Work towards your Wildlife, Explorer, Animal, Naturalist or Conservation badge or even a John Muir award!

Youth group visits: (756kb)pdf document

Adult group visits

Whatever the age or interest of your group, we are happy to organise a tailored visit. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Practical information

Facilities: we can only provide ‘tent’ shelter so warm, wind and waterproof clothing is recommended in winter, and sun cream, hats and water proofs in summer. Please wear supportive footwear all year round.

Toilets: at the Earnse Bay car park.

Refreshments: Can be bought from the shop at West Shore Residential Park. We advise you carry a drink with you when visiting the reserve.

Health and safety: we can provide a full risk assessment for any activities led by our Community Outreach Adviser. We would also advise you to complete your own risk assessment for each visit, including travel to and from the reserve.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate child: adult ratios, and that you carry relevant health and emergency contact information for all in your group. All our staff and volunteers are CRB-checked, and our Outreach Adviser is a qualified first aider (and will carry a first aid kit).

Access: North Walney NNR is not currently wheel-chair accessible. If anybody in your group has mobility needs, then please contact us beforehand to discuss.

Directions: All visits begin from Earnse Bay (LA14 3XZ), where you can find a large, free car park and toilets.

How to book: for more information or to book please contact Community Outreach Adviser, Gemma Blackburn on 07786482884 or email gemma.blackburn@naturalengland.org.uk

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