Share

Bring your group

Group visits

Our nature reserves offer the perfect place for a whole range of groups to learn more about the natural world

If you’d like to visit a nature reserve or visitor centre with your group, or have our skilled and knowledgeable staff come to you, please explore the sections below to find out more.

What types of group can visit?

  • Scouting and Guiding groups: including Cubs, Beavers, Brownies and Rainbows. We are pleased to be able to help groups achieve their badges such as the Naturalists Activity Badge or Wildlife Explorer Badge. Read our terms and conditions here.

  • Educational groups: including forest schools, home education and educational charities. Schools should visit our Schools and Learning pages.
  • Other groups: including natural history groups, community and voluntary groups.

Scouting and Guiding groups

Explore our beautiful and varied nature reserves with your group or take part in a high quality educational session, suitable for Scouting, Guiding and educational groups at all levels. Sessions can be run just for fun or with a certain badge or theme in mind.

Where can you visit?

Berkshire

  • The Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
  • Woolley Firs, Maidenhead
  • Moor Copse, Reading
  • Paices Wood, Aldermaston
  • Snelsmore Common, Newbury

Buckinghamshire

  • College Lake, Tring
  • Dancersend, Wendover

Oxfordshire

  • Warburg Nature Reserve, Henley
  • CS Lewis, Oxford
  • Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, Sutton Courtenay

Option 1: Self-led visit at a nature reserve

Run your own activity or session on one of our beautiful nature reserves. Trail leaflets to guide your visit are available for some reserves. Some of our visitor centres also offer room hire.

Before visiting: Please get in touch to find out which reserves are available and what activities you can do there, including the availability of a trail leaflet. Please note this option will require a site pre-visit.

Fees: We may request a donation depending on the requirements of your visit.

Terms and conditions: Please download and read our terms and conditions before booking your visit.

Option 2: Wildlife Trust staff-led visit at an education centre

Take part in an exciting, hands-on one hour activity/session led by a BBOWT staff member such as pond-dipping or bug hunting.  This is a great option for Scouting and Guiding groups looking to achieve the Naturalist Activity Badge (or similar award).

Before visiting: Please get in touch to book your session. This option is dependent on the time of year, equipment and staff availability.

Fees: We request a donation of £5 per child, adults are free. Minimum donation of £75 per group.

Health and safety: For BBOWT staff-led sessions, the member of staff will have a relevant first aid qualification and will carry a first aid kit, but visiting leaders and helpers remain primarily responsible for first aid whilst their groups are on site.

A risk assessment will be undertaken by a BBOWT member of staff for staff-led sessions at BBOWT sites.

Terms and conditions: Please download and read our terms and conditions before booking your visit.

Option 3: Wild Live Virtual Trips

Can’t visit one of our education centres for a group trip? Let the BBOWT Education team take you on a virtual journey of learning and discovery and bring our nature reserves to your classroom! Our Wild Live sessions cover science curriculum links according to the Key Stage and learning needs of your class. These virtual sessions are delivered straight to your class and pupils via Zoom* and include a combination of live interaction with our Education Team as well as video clips from our local habitats. Virtually explore our nature reserves and meet some of the creatures that live there.

What you need to know before you book:
-Sessions last one hour and can be scheduled at a time during the school day that is convenient for you
-Sessions are delivered to one class at a time
-The cost is £70 for the first session, £130 for two sessions and £180 for three

*Zoom is the preferred platform for delivery of the sessions. We may be able to accommodate alternative arrangements so please get in touch to discuss.

For more information on available Wild Live sessions and to book please use the contact details below.

Contact us

Berkshire: berkshireeducation@bbowt.org.uk or 01628 829574 ext 214

Buckinghamshire: collegelakeeducation@bbowt.org.uk or 01442 826774 ext 206

Oxfordshire: sceec@bbowt.org.uk or 01235 862024

Other groups

You and your group are welcome to visit any of our beautiful  and varied nature reserves. Explore our nature reserves page to find one near you.

If you'd like a guided walk or talk during your visit, than please contact us using the details below.

Important information

  • Please note that groups are not covered by our insurance.

  • Wildlife surveys are permitted, and we'd really appreciate you sharing your records with us.

  • If you want to collect any specimens such fungi or invertebrates, you will need to contact us for a permit.

  • There are certain activities we do not allow on our reserves. Please explore the information below.

Activities on nature reserves

  • let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return and take a mobile phone or a whistle with you
  • be aware of trip hazards (e.g. tree roots)
  • always take notice of signs warning of danger
  • be aware of potential hazards (e.g. cliffs and falling rocks in quarries and pits)
  • keep to the paths when visiting reserves with bog, fen, marsh and pond habitats
  • stay away from rivers in full flow, flooded fields can hide pools and ditches
  • be aware that we operate a strict no swimming policy at all of our reserves with lakes, ponds and other water features
  • stay out of confined spaces (e.g. tunnels, bat roosts)
  • be aware that many reserves have ticks that can carry disease: www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk

Contact Us

For survey permits allowing you to collect specimens on a visit please contact: Andy Coulson-Phillips on andycoulsonphillips@bbowt.org.uk or 01865 775476.

To discuss arranging a guided walk or talk on your visit please contact our reserves teams:

What's on