Black winged Stilts at Carlton Marshes, Gavin Durrant
School visits to Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
Explore the wild landscape of Carlton Marshes and learn about the harshland wildlife and habitats
Carlton Marshes is an internationally-important broadland nature reserve in the Waveney valley; 1,000 acres of restored marsh, fen, and wetland habitat. The dykes and pools are teeming with wildlife and the reedbeds, flower meadows, and woodland are rich with birds and invertebrates.
School visits are hosted in the Discovery Room within our visitor centre with toilets (including a Changing Places toilet), cafe, hides, and outdoor learning areas. Our nature-themed programmes each reflect the landscape, habitats and history of Carlton Marshes.
Choose three programmes for your day:
Norfolk hawker - Wilum Johnston
Invertebrates
Investigate the lives, life cycles and habitats of invertebrates on the reserve and learn about classification and how to observe animals closely. Pupils can use magnifiers and ID sheets to help them identify and categorise a range of invertebrates according to their characteristics.
Download the session overview and learning objectives
Dykes
An exciting session investigating these important wetland ecosystems. Pupils will learn how to identify aquatic invertebrates that they may be unfamiliar with. All equipment required, including pond nets, white trays, viewers, spoons, and identification sheets, will be provided.
Download the session overview and learning objectives
©Zsuzsanna Bird
Plants
This session offers an opportunity to investigate the life cycles of plants, the role of pollinators, and the function of different parts of the plant through games and activities. Pupils will look at the variety and diversity of flowering plants in the meadow habitat.
Download the session overviews and learning objectives:
Lianne de Mello
Trees
During this session, pupils will explore the different tree species at Carlton Marshes by looking up-close at the texture of the bark, leaf shapes, and the animals living on them. Pupils will learn about the difference between deciduous and evergreen species, and creatively use natural materials to make artwork in the style of Andy Goldsworthy.
Download the session overviews and learning objectives:
Lightning trees at Carlton Marshes - Jack Cripps
Nature Walk
Venture further out into the reserve for a wild walk observing the wildlife, exploring the habitats, and visiting some of the hides and viewing structures for a chance to see some of the species closer-up.
Download session overview and learning objectives
Further details and booking
A whole day session is £170 for a class of up to 28 children. For classes over 28 children, an additional £6.80 per student is charged (with a maximum capacity of 60 children per day). A usual day runs between 10am and 2pm, however we can be flexible an hour either side of this.
Adult:Student ratio requirements:
Nursery and Reception 1:4
KS1 1:6
KS2 1:8