Educational Visits
at Bearse Farm
Bring your primary school or youth group to one of the most beautiful working farm settings in the Forest of Dean — for hands-on, CEVAS-accredited food and farming experiences that children will remember long after they leave.
- 10
- Acres of Farmland
- 1 min
- to St Briavels Castle
- AONB
- Wye Valley Setting
- 300+
- Years of Farm History
Food & Farming Visits for Schools & Youth Groups
Bearse Farm offers educational food and farming visits for primary schools and Youth Groups in and around the Forest of Dean area. Farmer Tim is CEVAS-accredited and trained in delivering engaging, curriculum-linked visits for all age groups.
Our visits are hands-on and give children the chance to see how farms in the UK operate — learning about where our food comes from, sustainable farming practices and farming in the UK. Sessions can be tailored to a wide range of subjects and are carefully planned in partnership with each school.
Alongside our farmland and barns, we have a beautiful 5-acre ancient woodland, farm animals, and abundant wildlife and birdlife to explore. We can host groups in all weathers, with indoor spaces available both for activities and for eating lunch.
CEVAS Accredited
Farmer Tim holds CEVAS accreditation — an independently assessed quality mark for countryside and farm educational visits.
Working Farm Setting
Working farm with horses, farm animals, 5-acre ancient woodland, wildlife & birdlife
CEVAS Accredited
Curriculum-linked visits for all age groups, designed and delivered by a CEVAS-accredited farmer
Groups Welcome
Schools, scouts, guides, youth clubs, uniformed groups
Stunning Location
Wye Valley AONB, ancient woodland, Forest of Dean
What Your Visit Can Include
Every visit is tailored to your group. Below are the kinds of activities and experiences we can offer — get in touch to discuss what would work best for your group's needs and curriculum.
Farm Tour & Animal Encounters
A guided walk around the working farm to meet our horses and learn about day-to-day life on a rural Gloucestershire smallholding. See how a traditional farm operates across the seasons.
Nature & Wildlife Walks
Explore the fields, hedgerows and ancient woodland around Bearse Farm. Identify plants, birds and insects, and learn about the ecology of the Wye Valley AONB and ancient Forest of Dean.
Local History & Heritage
St Briavels Castle — a Norman fortress and former royal hunting lodge for King John — is a one-minute walk from the farm. Use the farm as a base for a living history study day exploring the medieval village and castle.
Geography & Land Use
Bearse Farm sits at the meeting point of the Wye Valley AONB and the Forest of Dean — an ideal outdoor classroom for geography fieldwork covering land use, ecosystems, soil types and the impact of farming on the landscape.
Duke of Edinburgh & Residentials
Our quiet, secure site in the Forest of Dean makes an excellent base for DofE expedition planning or overnight residential stays. With access to the Wye Valley Walk and surrounding trails on the doorstep, it's ideal for navigation and outdoor skills training.
Youth Groups & Clubs
Scout groups, Brownie packs, Cadet units, sports clubs and other youth organisations are very welcome. Our open field and secure site provide good space for team challenges, orienteering and outdoor activity days in a safe rural environment.
Example Day Programme
Below is an example activity plan for a Year 1 & Year 2 class. Every visit is tailored to your group — this gives you a flavour of how a full day at Bearse Farm can be structured.
Bluebells & Daisy — Year 1 & Year 2 Activity Plan
Arrivals
Introduction to Bearse Farm and safety briefing. Toilets and waterproofs / sun cream application.
Walk to woods and explore surroundings
Split into three groups (rotation)
- 1 Fire lighting skills, dampers and storytelling around the campfire
- 2 Den building / create a home for a woodland creature
- 3 Explore the woodland — identify signs of spring, identify the trees and flora/fauna
Gather around the campfire — Snack break
Split into three groups (rotation)
- 1 Fire lighting skills, dampers and storytelling around the campfire
- 2 Den building / create a home for a woodland creature
- 3 Explore the woodland — identify signs of spring, identify the trees and flora/fauna
Split into three groups (rotation)
- 1 Fire lighting skills, dampers and storytelling around the campfire
- 2 Den building / create a home for a woodland creature
- 3 Explore the woodland — identify signs of spring, identify the trees and flora/fauna
Walk back to barn — handwashing and toilets
Lunch (packed lunch) and free play
Exploring the animals
Animal parts, animal habitats, how to care for farm animals.
Woodland and geology walk
Collect belongings and depart
This is an example programme for a Year 1 & Year 2 class. All programmes are planned in partnership with your school to meet your specific learning goals.
Example Year 1 School Visit
Seasonal Variations and Animal Parts exploration — a flavour of the hands-on activities a Year 1 class enjoyed on a recent visit to Bearse Farm.
Seasonal Variations
Signs of Spring
Animal Parts
Dog Agility
Learning Outdoors
Circle Time Discussion
Natural World
Bug Hunting & ID
PSHE
Fire Safety
Forest School
Exploring our World
Practical Information
Everything you need to know about planning your educational visit to Bearse Farm.
Location
Bearse Farm, St Briavels, Gloucestershire, GL15 6QU. In the heart of the Forest of Dean, 8 miles from Chepstow, 6 miles from Coleford. Ample parking on site for coaches and minibuses.
Availability
Educational visits are available by advance booking throughout the year, subject to farm activity schedules. We recommend contacting us at least 4–6 weeks ahead, particularly for school trips during term time.
Group Sizes
We welcome groups of all sizes — from small club outings to full school year groups. Please let us know your expected numbers when you enquire so we can plan the day effectively.
Health, Safety & Facilities
All visits are fully risk assessed and we hold public liability insurance. We provide handwashing facilities and toilets on site, with indoor spaces available for both activities and eating lunch — so we can host your group in all weathers.
Get in Touch
To discuss an educational visit, please call us on 07881 628748 or use the contact form below. We're happy to discuss options at any stage of your planning.
No Cost to Schools
There is no cost to the school for visits (minimum 2 hours). Schools simply need to arrange their own transport and packed lunches. Drop-offs and collections by parents at the farm are also possible if needed.
Nearby Educational Highlights
Combine your visit to Bearse Farm with some of the outstanding historical, natural and cultural sites nearby.
St Briavels Castle
1 min walk · Free entry
12th-century Norman fortress and royal hunting lodge — now a Youth Hostel open to visitors. An incredible living history site right on the doorstep.
Clearwell Caves
~10 min drive
Natural cave system mined for iron ore for 4,500 years — brilliant for geology, history and archaeology-themed school visits. Special educational sessions available.
Tintern Abbey
~4 miles · River Wye
Iconic 12th-century Cistercian ruins on the banks of the Wye. Excellent for history and art — the subject of paintings by Turner and poems by Wordsworth.
Forest Sculpture Trail
~15 min drive
The internationally acclaimed Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail — over 20 large-scale artworks set within ancient woodland. Brilliant for art, environment and nature combined.
How to Arrange a Visit
Getting started is straightforward. Here's how it works:
Get in Touch
Contact us to find out more and discuss your group's learning goals. We're happy to answer questions and explore ideas at any stage of your planning.
Send an enquiryArrange a Pre-Visit
We'll invite you to visit the farm so we can agree your programme plan together and run through the risk assessment — ensuring a smooth, safe and well-tailored day for your group.
Ready to Plan Your Visit?
Contact us today to discuss your group's needs. We're happy to talk through options, answer questions and arrange a pre-visit if needed.