Playschemes
The Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project offer FREE play scheme sessions adapted to the needs of your group while uniformed group sessions are £3 per child.
Visit a fantastic wildlife site close to your playscheme, after school club or youth group. Experience the feeling of open countryside and have the chance to spot an incredible variety of plants and animals, all just a couple of miles from Bristol city centre. From peregrine falcons and rare whitebeam trees, to beautiful summer meadows and woodland glades, our education team offer fun and engaging experiences in the outdoors.
We welcome Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers, Cubs, Woodcraft Folk, Guides, Scouts and any other uniformed groups to come and discover the wildlife of the Avon Gorge and Downs. We offer fun and inspiring activities that engage children with the natural world and can be tailored to your group. Our sessions can also help young people work towards awards such as ‘forester’, ‘naturalist’ or ‘nature’ badges.
After the session, why not make the most of your day by having a picnic lunch? You might like to bring along a football and some games to enjoy in the open space.
Our sessions are suitable for 4-12 year olds and are very popular, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Bugs, bees and butterflies
Learn all about the minibeasts on the Downs with an exciting bug hunt and get involved in our energetic Busy Buzzy Bees game. Later we’ll get creative as each child makes some butterfly art to take home.
Discover the Downs
Use your senses to discover the Downs! Make smelly plant cocktails, search for squishy, smooth and tickly treasures, listen for the sounds of the Downs and find out what the world would look like if you were a minibeast! This session is a great way for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the natural world in a creative and stimulating way.
Feathered friends
The Downs are an excellent place for spotting all sorts of birds, from super speedy peregrine falcons to cheeky jackdaws. Have a fantastic day discovering more about our brilliant birds.
Hairy conservationists
Find out how our famous goats are helping us to conserve rare plants in the Avon Gorge. Children become trainee goat-checkers and have fun playing our exciting Gobbling Goats game!
Nature detectives
Children test their nature detective skills as they follow a trail of nibble marks on seeds, strange footprints, nests and even different poo. Can they work out and name which mammals were here by following the clues they leave behind?
Wild art
Get creative exploring colours, shapes and patterns on the Downs! Make leafy land art, natural sculptures and some wild art to take home.
Tree-mendous fun!
Children learn to identify and name trees by their leaves on our tree trail on the Downs. Along the way, they discover fascinating facts about the importance of trees to both humans and wildlife.
These sessions are run in partnership with Natural England as part of the Higher Level Stewardship Educational Access Scheme.For further information and to book a session, contact us at:
Anna Stevens
Avon Gorge and Downs Biodiversity Engagement and Learning Manager
E: avongorgewildlife@bzsociety.org.uk
Conservation Education Centre, Bristol Zoo Gardens,
Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA
T: 0117 903 0609
Health & Safety Considerations
We carry out risk assessments for all sessions that we run.
We are trained first aiders.
All photographs © Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project.