Escot Education - Escot - The natural place for a great day out in Devon

Escot Education

Rural Studies for Schools and Colleges 

The Tale Valley contains important and in some cases unique opportunities for country-side and river management, conservation, landscape history and geography based studies. These include the Escot Wetlands, a carefully preserved area, which enjoys stewardship status, and the important Tale Valley Water Meadows, which currently form part of an important restoration project.

The Tale is the subject of a significant programme of work by the Tale Valley Trust including two river management demonstration sites. Alan Bruford, the Education Ranger who works closely with course tutors to optimise study programmes exploits the potential of these and other study sites to the full.

School parties and those with special needs 

Using the magical gardens, wetlands, woods and parkland of the Escot Estate and other sites in the Tale Valley, our Education Ranger will design and supervise a programme that responds to the needs of your own group. There are many activities to choose from. For example, a Wild Day Out includes nature treasure hunts, birds of prey displays, pond dipping and bug hunts, and story telling in the forest whilst cooking (and eating!) squishy marshmallows around the campfire. We also offer a Wild night Out, a Dormouse Day and an Otter Day. These all combine lessons in conservation with exciting countryside activities. These day and half-day programmes are suited to school children and college students and also those with special needs. Parents and teachers are encouraged to play a full part (including eating the marshmallows!)

Visit the Education Ranger's Website

Have a Really Wild Party at Escot

The ever popular Greenwood Centre's, Alan Bruford, offers birthday parties with a difference! His parties are often imitated but never matched, with families, clubs and schools returning year after year.

The Greenwood Centre staff aim to provide an action packed three hours that ensure the special day is just that - special. We have full access to the park, woodland and wetlands here at Escot, providing you with an 'up close and personal' introduction to the natural world that most people pass by, unaware. With such a wide range of activities available, we are able to tailor parties/events to suit all ages, group sizes and tastes.

These events can include activities such as:

• Bushcraft activities such as shelter building and fire lighting
• Greenwood arts and crafts and willow sculptures (fire sculptures are popular in the early winter evenings)
• The notorious Barefoot Swampwalk (exclusive access via Escot Education)
• Campfire to cook tea or lunch (or dinner for evening events)
• A Fun walk through the gardens to meet the animals and explore the play facilities for younger children
• Otter feeding and Birds of prey demonstration (When available)
• Guided river and woodland walks and specialist dusk/evening walks

NEW at the Greenwood Centre for 2010

We can now include specialist parties to incorporate our Anglo-Saxon village development, Edcott. On site we can offer Saxon coin striking and flour grinding with our large hand operated stone quern followed by bread or pizza baking in our earth and dustbin ovens. These special activities work best with small groups.

For more details contact Alan Bruford directly on 07814 036634 or visit his blogspot www.escoteducation-parties.blogspot.com