Architecture and heritage learning pack for schools and young people
A learning pack for Elvaston Castle and Country Park has been developed by our environmental studies service in response to requests from local schools.
It includes a range of pre-visit, on site and post-visit learning activities, fully resourced, that you can use with your group.
The activities focus on the architecture and heritage of the site. Activities have an art and design, history or geography theme.
Our downloadable pack is attached to this page.
Forest School at Elvaston
Forest School is an ongoing, inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment.
Forest School programmes run by schools are planned and evaluated in the same way classroom based learning is and a whole range of topics and themes can be explored during these sessions.
Activities covered within Forest School sessions are often utilised to inspire interest in a topic to be covered in the classroom and also to reinforce ideas already explored at school with real life examples. Forest School learning is complementary not separate to traditional learning.
One of our strategic aims is to 'promote awareness, use, enjoyment and understanding of the countryside through active participation, interpretation and promotion. Through increasing the number of schools involved in the Forest school programme we are helping to achieve this'.
For more information about Forest School in Derbyshire contact Sarah Keogh, Forest Schools leader, tel: 01629 533439 or email: sarah.keogh@derbyshire.gov.uk
Elvaston's Forest School woodland site
Located centrally in Derbyshire, near to Derby and Nottingham, Elvaston Castle Country Park encompasses approximately 321 acres of open parkland, woodland and formal historical gardens.
There are plenty of opportunity for activities to be carried out as you make your way through the park. Elvaston's designated Forest School woodland site is set within mature, mixed deciduous woodland and is not open to the public.
Elvaston's Forest School woodland site is available for hire by qualified forest school leaders.
For more information about Elvaston's Forest Schools site please call Elvaston on tel: 01629 533870.
Self-led activities
The core gardens are historically valuable and are Grade II* listed, so we do ask that any group visiting the park contacts us in advance to let us know, tel: 01629 533870.
We would prefer a minimum of one week's notice. This is to ensure your visit is enjoyable and doesn't conflict with other activities on the park. We can also advise you on the most suitable areas in the park for your proposed activities.
Indoor spaces to hire
There is currently no indoor space available for hire should you require a base for your activities. Our classroom is unfortunately out of use while restoration works are underway. For more information, please call Elvaston on tel: 01629 533870.
For more information about Elvaston, its history, events, things to do, how to get there, facilities on site and more learning opportunities please see our outreach visits for Elvaston Castle Country Park.