Through a program of events throughout the year we aim to connect people with the Pebblebed Heaths and the Otter Estuary and educate them about these special habitats. We provide educational visits and speakers to talk to local groups. We can arrange walks and site visits to find out about these areas and how they are managed.
To see what events and activities are coming up on the Pebblebed Heaths or River Otter, please see our events calendar.
We are pleased to be able to offer FREE outdoor learning experiences on the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and Otter Estuary, for school and colleges local to East Devon.
Our team will help you make the most of your visit whether self-led or organised alongside our team. All schools and youth groups wishing to visit the heaths are encouraged to contact us well in advance, to make sure what they have planned is appropriate for the site and won’t clash with management work or other events. The support of our staff for your visit is free of charge and we may be able to offer suggestions to help with transport costs, particularly for schools based in or close to the Otter Valley.
Resources are available to support both pre- and post- visit learning, as well as offering helpful advice and activities to use with your group on site.
A Successful Visit a useful list for teachers to help their pupils get the most form their visit.
Countryside Code how to respect, protect and enjoy your heathland visit.
Butterfly Life Cycle game with cards to sequence, learn the lifecycle and interdependence of this heathland specialist.
Damselfly Life Cycle Game a fun class activity to learn about the lifecycle of one of our rarest insect species.
Sow and Grow a fun activity to investigate seed dispersal and plant growth.
Vegetation Survey an engaging fieldwork activity to investigate how a botanist might classify plants across different habitats.
Food Webs species resource cards and activities to investigate food chains and food webs and consider some of the threats they might face.
Heathland Wildlife Games a series of simple multi-sensory games some quiet, some more active.
Earth Studio a range of activities to explore and communicate the heathland creatively.
Creative Nature be inspired to write a pebble poem.
Glossary key words and descriptions useful for teachers and older students.
EDUCATION WITH CLINTON DEVON ESTATESKey Stage One Whole or half-days visits including a welly walks on pebbly paths to explore the heaths and woodland habitats or the chance to grab a net and see what you can find in the shallow streams or ponds across the site. Using all their senses pupils can experience and connect with the landscape, develop creativity, critical thinking and resilience whilst learning about the some of the special animals and plants that call the heaths home.
Key Stage Two Our education program will enable your pupils to explore this amazing habitat that is rarer than rainforest. They can meet a whole array of magnificent creatures, consider important issues such as climate change and understand what conservation locally entails. Through hands-on curriculum linked activities choose content to explore plant classification, lifecycles, local history (Iron Age onward) and much more with scope for scientific enquiry, creativity and citizenship. Your pupils will learn why this important site is worth protecting and how they can be part of that story.
Key Stage Three and beyond We would be happy to discuss opportunities to support subject based activities and enrichment activities for older students. We also deliver on- site or school-based briefings for students who will use the Pebblebeds for training walks as part of DofE or Ten Tors.
Home School or Family Wildlife Groups Contact us to discuss a visit or activity to meet the interest and need of your group.
Uniformed Youth Groups We love working with local youngsters from the Scout Association and Girlguiding who are always happy to be outside and get stuck in with some hands-on conservation. We can provide activities to support badges or awards or just an action-packed evening heathland adventure.
Note: overnight camping and fire lighting are not permitted by any group at any time.
Whatever kind of visit you’d like our team will help you plan an insightful, fun and educational day to learn about how this historic and important landscape is managed for both the wildlife and people. Please contact Kate Ponting or complete the form below:
KATE PONTING – 01395 446918
Countryside Learning Officer – [email protected]
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