Ages 5-11

Ages 5-11: Outdoor Learning at Chillingham Wild Cattle Park

A visit to Chillingham Wild Cattle Park is a chance for primary school children to step out of the classroom and into a living, breathing landscape full of history and biodiversity. Where science, geography, art and more are explored through real-world experiences, muddy hands, and curious minds.

Every visit is led by our experienced wardens and tailored to your class’s age, interests and learning goals, as well as the time of year and what’s happening in the park. Activities can take place across the wild cattle park itself — home to the world-famous Chillingham herd — and in Wildling Woods, our brand-new forest learning area designed for outdoor play, exploration and confidence-building.

Linking to the KS1 & KS2 Curriculum

Our school visits are designed to support classroom learning in fun, memorable ways. Activities can cover:

  • Science – habitats and ecosystems, food chains, adaptation, animal behaviour, seasonal change, and plant life.

  • Geography – mapwork, fieldwork skills, compass directions, grid references, and understanding how humans interact with the environment.

  • PSHE and Citizenship – respect for nature, biodiversity, and how we care for the world around us.

  • Design & Technology / Art – using natural materials creatively and building observational skills.

  • English and Communication – developing descriptive language, questioning skills and storytelling inspired by nature.

What Your Visit Could Include

No two visits are the same – we tailor each one to your group and the season. But here’s an idea of some of the things your pupils might get up to:

  • Map skills in the field – orienting a map to the landscape, using compass points, finding features, and plotting a route through the park.

  • Wildlife and habitat surveys – exploring pasture, woodland and stream habitats, identifying plants and freshwater invertebrates, and discussing biodiversity.

  • Observing the cattle – watching how grazing, trampling and dunging shape the environment and support other wildlife.

  • Exploring food chains – dissecting barn owl pellets to see what they’ve been eating, linking this to wider food webs and the impact of the cattle.

  • Forest school skills – building and safely lighting a campfire, cooking on the fire, or creating seasonal crafts in Wildling Woods.

  • Creative nature activities – leaf printing, crafting with natural materials, and using the senses to describe and record the landscape.

What You Need to Know

  • Group size: Up to 40 children per visit. Larger groups can be split across multiple days.

  • Visit length: Choose between a half-day or a full-day visit.

  • Facilities: Toilets, handwashing stations, a space for lunch, and covered areas if it rains.

  • Cost: Thanks to external funding, visits are free of charge — schools only need to organise transport.

  • Preparation: We’ll send a full kit list ahead of your visit so pupils know what to bring.

From the iconic Chillingham Wild Cattle to the tiniest creatures living in the stream, our park is a living classroom where children can explore, ask questions, build confidence and see first-hand how nature connects and thrives. Whether they’re learning about food chains, getting stuck into pond dipping, or simply feeling the mud beneath their boots, a day at Chillingham is one they won’t forget.

To book a trip to Chillingham Wild Cattle Park or to discuss your group’s needs further, contact Ellie on 01668 215250 or email [email protected]