The vast and accessible landscape of Kielder provides the perfect outdoor classroom, offering fantastic opportunities to experience nature, marvel at the starry skies or engage in adrenaline filled activities.
By increasing awareness of the natural environment, outdoor learning stimulates care and appreciation of it. Immersion in nature also has incredible health and learning benefits for adults and children and can improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Several organisations offer a range of both formal (curriculum-linked) and informal outdoor learning for children and young people of all ages and abilities within Kielder, many providing accommodation for stopovers. All are established in their field and provide professional, qualified teachers and leaders to make the experience of learning in Kielder, a safe and unforgettable one.
The organisations featured on via the links to this page, offer a vast range of activities and visits designed to build knowledge, skills and confidence with some designed to complement and enhance national curriculum teaching and learning. Please contact them direct for further information and to make any bookings.
Wildlife, environmental and outdoor learning
Situated in a 40-acre woodland site close to Kielder Water Calvert Kielder’s innovative programmes encourage children, young people, and students of all abilities to learn more about themselves, build confidence and self-esteem through challenging and adventurous activities.
The Calvert Kielder team is experienced in working with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities, providing an inclusive, fun and exhilarating experience in a safe and supported environment.
Age Group: Over 5 years
Open: Mid-January to early December
Catering: Available with full board with packed lunch provisions
Accommodation: Range of serviced and self catering
Access: Providing services for visitors with disabilities is a speciality
Led Activities: Team building, bushcraft, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, night walks, archery, abseiling, king-swing, orienteering, motor boating, high ropes, low ropes, climbing, buggies and zip coaster.
Email: enquiries@calvert-kielder.com
Tel: 01434 250 232
www.calvertkielder.org.uk/education-2
A wonderful close encounter of the feathered kind can be experienced at Kielder Birds of Prey Centre located at Kielder Waterside.
Group bookings are taken for flying demonstrations and bird handling sessions.
Kielder Castle, the former 18th century hunting lodge of the Duke of Northumberland turned visitor centre, has a classroom which can be used by educational groups and provides the base for learning visits to the wider forest.
For further details and information, telephone 01434 250 209.
For groups wishing to explore slightly further afield, mountain bikes and e-bikes can be hired from Kielder Castle Cycle Centre.
Seeing the forest on two wheels is a fantastic way to visit more difficult to reach sites and gain an overview of the scale and range of habitats in.
For more details visit www.thebikeplace.co.uk
Kielder Observatory is a public outreach astronomical facility located in Kielder Forest in some of the darkest skies in Europe and the third largest protected Dark Sky reserve in the world.
Specialist events for schools and groups wanting to delve deeper into the subject are led by a team of academic astronomers who engage and stimulate understanding of more complex concepts, teaching about current research and headline astronomy.
An extensive range of curriculum-linked and extra-curricular activity is delivered as part of an outreach programme using a touring planetarium to inspire further STEM learning, including planetarium shows, talks, workshops and activities for all Key Stages.
“Our goal is to bring in members of the public of all ages from school children in primary school and upwards with an aim to engage in discussions and observations of the universe.”
Visit: kielderobservatory.org
Email: admin@kielderobservatory.org
Tel: 0191 265 5510
Age Group: Over 5 years
Opening: All year
Catering: None on site
Accommodation: None on site
Access for All: Viewing areas are fully accessible
Led Activities: All aspects of astronomy
Kielder Salmon Centre, the largest salmon hatchery in England and Wales, tells the story of the incredible and unique life cycle of the Atlantic salmon and explains why the Environment Agency raises thousands of young salmon to be released into the River Tyne every year.
Behind the scenes tours of the facilities include seeing and learning about freshwater pearl mussels and the vital role they play in the life cycle of salmon.
The Salmon Centre is fully accessible with an exhibition that includes films with audio commentary. Open from April to September, 10am to 4pm.
Advance booking is required for groups.
Email: kielder.salmon.centre@environment-agency.gov.uk
Tel: 01434 250269
Catering, retail, walks, trails, play areas, activities, ferry excursions and lodge accommodation is also available at Kielder Waterside.
Visit: www.kielderwaterside.com
Northumberland National Park believes that the special qualities of Northumberland, its rich history, diverse species of flora and fauna, and great geographical features, provides a unique environment for learning outside the classroom.
Their learning staff can facilitate authentic and practical experiences across a wide range of subjects from pre-history to habitats, bushcraft to geology, changing landscapes to cultural heritage, and much more.
Visit: www.thesill.org.uk/learning/
Email: learning@nnpa.org.uk
Tel: 01434 341 200
With years of knowledge and experience behind them, Northumberland Wildlife Trust are perfectly placed to bring nature to life for children, young people and adults alike.
Educating the public about the value of nature is one of the organisation’s key aims. It runs environmental education sessions with local schools, organises a wide range of events and conservation talks throughout the year, and engages with over 150 volunteers who give their time, energy, and enthusiasm across a number of conservation tasks including Kielder Ospreys and Kielder Living Landscape.
Visit: www.nwt.org.uk/get-involved/education
Email: mail@northwt.org.uk
Tel: 0191 284 6884
Tyne Rivers Trust can provide educational placement opportunities for older pupils, including for university students and its River School sessions give children the chance to get out of the classroom and onto the riverbank.
Led by an expert, children will learn about river habitats and the lifecycle of creatures that live there.
VisitL www.tyneriverstrust.org
Email: info@tyneriverstrust.org
Tel: 01434 636900
