Educational Visits to Bowood House & Gardens
Education and Schools
Inspire curiosity, confidence and care for the natural world at Bowood
We are proud to welcome schools and home educators from our local community and beyond. Our curriculum adjacent educational sessions are designed to support and extend learning beyond the classroom. We see children flourish outdoors and within our beautiful Walled Garden they will find seeds, explore plants, observe wildlife and learn what makes each plant special. These precious moments mark the beginning of understanding how plants help us feel good and why it’s important to nurture and look after them. Whether looking up at enormous Champion trees in the Arboretum, strolling among seasonal flowers, exploring the Walled Garden, visiting Bowood House and its inspiring art gallery, or letting off steam in our Adventure Playground, every part of the visit is filled with fun and discovery.
Educational Sessions:
- Searching for Sleeping Seeds – EYFS / KS1 (Science and Nature)
- Sights and Smells – EYFS / KS1 (Science and Nature)
- Pollinate or Propagate – KS2 (Science and Nature)
- Powerful Plants, Clever Choices – Upper KS2 (Science and Nature)
- Explorers of the Estate – KS1 (Geography)
- Layers of the Landscape – KS2 (Art)
- Creating Curators – KS2+ (History and Heritage)
Searching for Sleeping Seeds (EYFS/KS1 Science and Nature)
Wander through Bowood’s Walled Garden including the Sensory Garden and colourful pollinating meadows to discover where seeds hide and how plants grow. Children get hands-on with nature, exploring textures, smells and the secrets of plant life. From spotting seeds in surprising places to learning what helps them travel, wake up and grow, this session nurtures curiosity and connects young learners with the wonders of the natural world.
Age group: EYFS and KS1
Where: Walled Garden
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
Led by: Bowood Educator
Curriculum links: Nature, Science, History and PSHE
This session works best with groups of 20 or fewer to allow for meaningful observation and discussion. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable so that all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Sights and Smells (EYFS/KS1 Science and Nature)
Children explore Bowood’s Walled Garden, Greenhouses and Sensory Garden using their senses. This outdoor session helps children learn about sight and smell by discovering plants, colours and new fragrances. Using simple scientific observation, children connect classroom learning about the senses to the vibrant, scented world around them, encouraging curiosity and joyful engagement with nature in a safe, hands-on environment.
Age group: EYFS and KS1
Where: Walled Garden
Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
Led by: Bowood Educator
Curriculum links: Nature, Science, Maths, English and PSHE
This session works best with groups of 20 or fewer to allow for meaningful observation and discussion. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable so that all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Pollinate or Propagate (KS2 Science and Nature)
Pupils will explore the fascinating ways plants reproduce through an engaging, hands-on science session. They will begin by dissecting a variety of flowers from Bowood’s Walled Garden, identifying key parts and appreciating differences in colour, shape and symmetry. Pupils will then observe pollination in action in the pollinator meadows and learn about sexual and asexual reproduction using real-life examples from the Sensory Garden and Greenhouses. Finally, they will investigate propagation methods such as grafting and runners. This session is perfect for budding horticulturalists and encourages a deeper understanding of how plants grow, adapt and survive.
Age group: KS2
Where: Walled Garden
Approx duration: 1 hour
Led by: Bowood Educator
Curriculum links: Science, Art and PSHE
This session works best with groups of 20 or fewer to allow for meaningful observation and discussion. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable so that all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Powerful Plants: Help or Harm? (Year 5/6 Science and Nature)
Pupils will explore how plants can both heal and harm, using Bowood’s Walled Garden to spark discussion about medicinal plants, drugs and alcohol in a safe and age-appropriate way. Through hands-on sensory exploration and scientific observation, they will test how their senses help keep them safe and learn how incredible and powerful plants can be. This session supports PSHE learning while encouraging awe, curiosity and respectful understanding of nature’s potential.
Age group: KS2
Where: Walled Garden
Approx duration: 1 hour
Led by: Bowood Educator
Curriculum links: Science, PSHE and English
This session works best with groups of 20 or fewer to allow for meaningful observation and discussion. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable so that all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Explorers of the Estate (KS1 Geography)
Pupils will develop their geography skills as they navigate Bowood Estate’s stunning landscape using maps, compasses and positional and directional vocabulary. As they move from one location to another, they will visit ‘Capability’ Brown’s Lake, the Hermit’s Caves and Cascade and the awe-inspiring Arboretum. At each stop, pupils will learn a little more about Bowood Estate as a significant local place, making meaningful links to both the geography and local history curriculum.
Age group: KS1
Where: Bowood Terrace Garden, lake, Hermit’s Cave, Cascade and Arboretum
Approx duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
Led by: Bowood Educator and lead teacher
Curriculum links: Geography, History and PSHE
This works best when the class stays together as a whole group, with children working in smaller teams during activities. A Bowood Educator leads the tour, while the class teacher supports by making links to prior learning, using their knowledge of the pupils and where they are in their curriculum journey.
Layers of the Landscape (KS2 Art History)
Bring your classroom learning to life with our creative Landscape Art session at Bowood House & Gardens. The session takes place in Bowood House’s historic gallery, where pupils explore a range of landscape paintings and discover how artists use colour, line, shape, texture and space to capture places and environments around them. Pupils then step outside into the breathtaking ‘Capability’ Brown-designed parkland, taking time to explore the landscape as they observe and record their surroundings. Inspired by nature, they’ll create their own landscape artwork in this unique and creative outdoor setting.
Age group: KS2
Where: Bowood House, surrounding landscape and the Gardeners' Bothy (classroom base)
Approx duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Led by: Bowood Educator
Curriculum links: History, Art, Design
This session works best when one small group explores the upstairs gallery and another explores the downstairs collection, before everyone comes together outside to create art in the beautiful landscape. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable, ensuring all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Creating Curators (KS2 History, Heritage and Careers)
Pupils will step into the past as they journey through Bowood House on a walking timeline, discovering how key historical events connect to the Estate. From Joseph Priestley’s oxygen discovery to WWI’s Red Cross hospital and Queen Victoria’s wedding chair to Georgian fashion, history comes alive through real stories. Pupils will then handle historical objects and think like curators, learning how we care for the past. This hands-on session inspires young historians to explore, question and protect our shared heritage.
Age group: KS2
Where: Bowood House and the Gardener’s Bothy
Approx duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Led by: Bowood Educator and Bowood Curator
Curriculum links: History, Art, PSHE, Materials, Geography
This session works best with groups of 20 or fewer to allow for meaningful object handling and discussion. Larger groups are very welcome; we simply divide them into smaller groups and run a carousel timetable so that all pupils can take part fully at different times during their visit.
Bespoke or Self-Led Visits: Turn Bowood House & Gardens into your outdoor classroom for the day.
If you have a specific topic or subject in mind, such as photography, creative writing, careers or wellbeing, our team is here to help you bring it to life. The Grounds offer a wealth of opportunities for unique and enriching learning experiences for all ages, from nursery children to.
For example, did you know that Lord Shelburne, once Prime Minister of Britain, helped negotiate peace at the end of the American Revolutionary War? He may have secretly stayed in touch with Benjamin Franklin the whole time! In 2026, the new exhibition in Bowood House “1776: Secrets, Spies and the American Revolution” explores both politics and relationships, as well as delving into the world of eighteenth-century espionage and the clever ways people used invisible ink and hidden notes to share top-secret information. Perfect for curious minds and budding historians!
Get in touch to explore ideas and discuss how our education team can support you in creating a memorable and meaningful day for your pupils.
NON-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL VISITS (excludes a Bowood Educational Session)
Non–Educational School Visits are available throughout our open season.
Bowood offers Non – Educational School Visits for a variety of occasions;
Key Stage 2
‘Year 4 or 5 Residential Trip’ (available late April – mid October)
The opportunity for Key Stage 2 pupils to develop their independence, whilst exploring everything Bowood has to offer.
‘Year 6 Leavers Days Out’ (available early – mid July)
Year 6 pupils can celebrate the completion of their primary school years by visiting Bowood for an enjoyable day out.
Key Stage 3
‘Year 7 Tutor/ Year Group - Team Day Out’
(available early Sept - end of October alternatively early-mid July)
Ideal for schools wanting to support personal development, teamwork, communication skills and independent thinking. Pupils can explore Bowood within their Tutor groups as part of their first term at Secondary school, or towards the end of their final term in Year 7, to celebrate their transition from Primary to Secondary.
The day includes access to Bowood House and Terrace Gardens, Arboretum, Doric Temple, Cascade and Hermits Cave. Children have access to The Adventure Playground (for 12yrs and under) and The Den (for 7yrs and under).
We will aim to accommodate similar visits for other suggested occasions, where possible. Please CLICK HERE to complete an enquiry form.
Price
- Schools - non educational (adult 16+) - £7.50
- Schools - non educational (child 2-15) - £7.50
Non-Educational School Visits of 15 or more children.
Please note, these visits exclude an Educational Session. Educational Visits can be booked separately throughout the open season (27th March - 1st November 2026.)
For every five paying children we allow one complimentary adult. Staff who are employed in a 1:1 role for children with educational needs have complimentary entry. Please note that children are the responsibility of the lead teacher at all times.
For more information and to book a Non-Educational Group Visit to Bowood House & Gardens, please email our Group Sales Coordinator – Lisa Kent.
l.kent@bowood.org or call 01249 810968.
