Options for your visit
There are two options for an EYFS school visit to Ness Botanic Gardens.
- Guided visit - £95 per class. This includes entry to the gardens for a class of up to 30 pupils, plus adult helpers, as well as a guided trek of your choice. A classroom will be reserved exclusively for your school which you can use throughout the day.
- Unguided visit - £75 per class. This includes entry to the gardens for a class of up to 30 pupils, plus adult helpers.
The adult-to-child ratio permitted for EYFS school visits is one adult for every four children. This helps to ensure that the children get the most out of the day and have the support that they need.
School coaches can park for free in our coach park on the day of your visit.
Itinerary
Guided school visit
If you’re booking a guided visit, the itinerary for your day will include:
- Arrival at 10am. One of our educators will meet your school party in the coach park and walk with you to our classroom space. Children can leave their lunch bags here.
- Guided trek. Our DBS-checked education team are experienced outdoor educators. They’ll lead your choice of guided trek. Each of our available treks is carefully tailored to EYFS children.
- Lunch break. This will take place in our classroom space, the Coach House. This is situated in the gardens, close to the toilets. The Coach House can accommodate two classes and chairs will be provided. You can also picnic on the lawns if preferred.
- Afternoon activities. You might like to bring your own activities such as playground/parachute games for after lunch. Some school groups do artwork or photography. Our Education team can provide a wildlife trail sheet that you may wish to follow - this takes about an hour. Please note, no ball games are allowed. This is to protect our plants.
- Depart by 4.30pm. Your school party are welcome to explore our gardens up until 4.30pm.
Unguided school visit
Unguided school visits can take place between 10am and 4.30pm.
Although there are no organised activities for unguided visits, there are 64 acres of Ness Botanic Gardens, with accessible paths, you can explore during the visit. A map will be emailed when booking.
The habitats and gardens at Ness include a wildflower meadow, pine wood, deciduous wood, water gardens, rock garden, Mediterranean garden, vegetable garden, permaculture garden, weather station field with solar array, and a small alpine glasshouse.
EYFS treks
Discover the treks at Ness Botanic Gardens designed for EYFS children. You can incorporate your preferred trek into a guided school visit.
EYFS seasonal treasures welly walk
Full of sensory activities, this guided walk will provide your children with lasting memories. Plants of all colours and sizes, animals galore – real ones and puppets, paths and puddles, the sun, rain or wind and plenty of matching, counting and spotting.
This trek, of up to 1.5 hours, can be tailored to your children's needs, and focus on your class story or topic. A pond dip or mini-beast hunt can also be included.
How to book
To book a school visit, please contact our Education team.
- Tel: 0151 795 6300
- Email: nessgdns@liverpool.ac.uk
Please let us know whether you would like to book a guided or unguided visit. You’ll also need to advise us of:
- Your preferred choice of dates for the visit
- Details of the year group and class size
- Your preferred guided trek and topics of interest (if booking a guided visit).
We can also arrange a pre-visit to help you plan the trip. This is free to schools that have booked a visit. Please contact our Education team to arrange a convenient date and time.
Risk assessments
Our school visit risk assessment document will be emailed to you upon booking.
The gardens are part of the University of Liverpool which holds public liability insurance.
Schools should also risk assess their trip. You are welcome to visit the gardens prior to your trip to complete your own risk assessment.
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