Whether it is an educational visit for a specific project or your class deserves a fantastic day out for their end of year trip, we are sure that Murton has something for them here on our nature reserve and visitor farm.
Our staff will make animal tours and activities engaging and fun, tailoring it to the age group visiting.
Of course we have the fun side of the farm, playing on the trampolines and swings and saying hello to some of our friendly animals, but we also have a large list of resources which can be used to make the most of our site. After all, education and environment are our main focus as a trust.
You do not have to hire the Tipi or Cabin. There are grass areas and the picnic area all outwith the farm to gather as a group. You will not be able to consume food or drinks on the farm so we do not suggest making a spot on the farm your only place to gather on your visit. We are an all weather site and welcome visitors to make the most their day whatever the weather brings. When there is a place to use as a base, you can keep bags/lunches etc in and you would have somewhere to shelter for part of your visit if you did have the Cabin/Tipi..
Traditional & Creative Practical Craft Skills
We offer a varied and interesting programme of creative activities at Murton including, green woodworking, willow work, practical woodwork, leatherwork and nature-based craft work. Delivered by engaging and experienced staff.
Practical skills days can be offered at any time throughout the year, not limited to term time, allowing organisations to bring groups outwith school time. Buyers can purchase a single ½ day or full day session or a block of practical skills days to build a programme of skills days. No prior skills are required, and activities are suitable for all ages from pre-school to adults. Groups can progress through different crafts in a familiar environment, or a block can be purchased for different attendees to take part each session.
Group sizes are limited to 16 but multiple sessions can be purchased to allow larger classes or groups to attend at the same time.
Activities delivered includes, but is not limited to:
Leather work – keyrings, bracelets, journals
Green woodwork – spoon carving, knife carving, cup carving.
Practical Woodwork – Bird boxes, bug hotels, bird feeders, squirrel feeders
Willow work – tension trays, bird feeders
Nature Craft – plaster of paris animal tracks, wreaths, seed bombs
Murton Tipi
We have a large 24ft Tipi with adjacent class shelter and fire pit available on our nature reserve. The tipi is situated just a few minutes walk from our tearoom meaning toilets and facilities are nearby during the visit. The site is ideal for group hire as well as school visits and summer trips. You can visit our Tipi page for more information
Farm & Nature Reserve Experience Days
An interesting programme of activities at Murton Farm and Reserve. Courses include animal husbandry and handling, nature rambles, environmental work, habitat maintenance, green and practical woodworking, willow work, leatherwork, nature-based craft and others.
Practical skills days can be offered at any time throughout the year, not limited to term time, allowing organisations to bring groups outwith school time. Buyers can purchase a single ½ day or full day session or a block of practical skills days to build a programme of skills days. No prior skills are required, and activities are suitable for all ages from pre-school to adults. Groups can progress through different activities in a familiar environment, or a block can be purchased for different attendees to take part each session.
Group sizes are limited to 16 but multiple sessions can be purchased to allow larger classes or groups to attend at the same time. Activities delivered include, but are not limited to:
Run the Farm for the Day – animal handling, husbandry, grooming and feeding.
Nature Reserve – environmental projects and site maintenance including tree planting, bulb planting, tree pruning, litter picks, wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, path maintenance.
Working in close partnership with the school or support service, we will ensure we have a full understanding of all needs and outcomes of the group as well as individual needs of those attending the practical skills days.
At the heart of the work at Murton is the desire to address the needs of the individuals attending Murton, especially if they are attending as a group. Our staff will ensure everyone feels valued in a group session, taking time to work with each person, and determine if they require extra support to understand or carry out tasks. Nurture will increase a young person’s self-awareness and confidence in their own abilities. It will give them opportunities to be in situations which reward them with success and a sense of achievement.
Farm Visit and Animal Tours
We would be delighted if your class came to visit our farm. There is a discounted group booking entry fee for the farm. The cost is £2 per child.
Animal Tours
Animal tours can be 30 minutes or 1 hour. The 30 minute tour would likely allow you to see 3 different animals, and in a full hour we do try to see as many of our animals as possible. Some we just chat about, others we can feed treats to and there is always time to pet some too. Some of the younger children prefer to just have the shorter tour as the play equipment is always so inviting!
Indepedent School Visits
We welcome individuals, classes and groups from nurseries, primary and secondary schools to work independently on our site.
There is no cost involved in visiting our nature reserve for a one time visit or as a block of visits to work in your own time, on your projects.
Murton is a place for all and our large nature reserve can offer a space for:
Mental health walks for one to one support, small groups to just chat as they enjoy the fresh air and nature.
Groups to explore nature, drawing and writing about what they see and hear. Looking for animals, and signs of them can be a fun way to add depth to a project.
The chance to help us here at Murton with a project. We are always looking for new photos, information groups have gathered on what they have found.
If you need your group to take part in a few hours volunteering, we can help with small independent tasks. We might ask them to litter pick, or collect materials such as pine cones for our bug hotels.
Can we help you plan?
You can hire one of our spaces and fill your day entirely yourself. Splitting into groups and heading off in different directions to explore then coming together at the Tipi/Cabin to snack, swap groups, and having lunch. It is amazing how quickly the time passes when you have a group having a walk on the nature reserve, one playing on the farm and another doing something crafty at the Tipi, all swapping around and having to fit in lunch, and snacks!
We can offer some materials and guidance for self led activities where you will only pay for materials. Murton staff led activities have a cost for staff time and materials. Where possible, if we can help you facilitate these activities yourself you will not need staff time. Please let us know on your enquiry form if there were activities you would like to know more about.
