Visiting the Hurst Meadow

Why visit the Hurst meadow?

The 18-acre meadow is a quiet and open site, with its full quota of wildlife and lovely views of Wittenham Clumps and Dorchester Abbey. 

Children love to visit the meadow, and school group visits in spring and summer are popular. The meadow is a major educational resource and this is enhanced by the learning materials that the trustees have produced, both on paper and on the website and also available on a CD.

The trustees are keen to encourage school visits and will provide a guide, materials and hospitality free of charge to ensure that the visits are enjoyable and successful.

What are the features of interest?

• History of ancient watermill and flood meadow (PDF file)
• Landscape and photographs 
• Wild flowers 
• Trees and shrubs (PDF file)
• Birds 
• Mammals 
• Invertebrates, crustacea, insects, etc.
• Features to visit nearby, e.g. Dorchester Abbey, Wittenham Clumps

What teaching aids are available for teachers and children? 

• Information Pack
• Maps 
• Bird descriptions, pictures, narratives, data 
• Species lists 
• Handouts and brochures 
• Interpretation boards 
• Hurst website on CD 
• Curriculum links
• Planning a school visit - history (PDF file)
• Planning a school visit - geography (PDF file)

How might pupils benefit?

• Increased knowledge and understanding of the natural world
• Increased vocabulary
• Development of concepts, e.g. sustainability, biodiversity, seasonal rhythms, 'balance of nature', impact of humans on nature, what volunteers can achieve, what part can we each play?
• Develop skills, practical, observational, reasoning and deduction, mathematical skills, ability to make comparisons, questioning, listening, recording, following instructions
• Application of knowledge
• Increased interest and enthusiasm for the natural world
• Increased confidence
• Increased concentration
• Increased interpersonal skills
• Practise the Countryside Code

Educational resources site map

An index of material to be found on the website to help teachers and pupils.

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