Education Visits

Hazel Brow is a traditional working farm within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Visitor Centre aims to interpret the industrial and farming heritage of Swaledale, whilst keeping a firm focus on the importance of Conservation and farm diversification in these changing and challenging times.

This link between past, present and future makes Hazel Brow Visitor Centre an ideal place for curriculum-linked visits in a range of subjects.

We offer educational visits to the farm that can be tailored to meet your curriculum needs.  Seasonal activities and opportunities include:

Farm activities

Interacting with and feeding farm animals (lambs, sheep, geese and alpacas); hands on opportunities to discover how farming products are processed for the market (for example milk, oat rolling, geese herding, wheat milling, wool processing).

Science-linked activities

Interactive self-guided nature trail through meadows and along the banks of the River Swale, England’s fastest flowing river.  Age appropriate curriculum-linked science workshops investigating habitats, plant and animal species.

History and Heritage

Learn how Swaledale was an industrial hub for the 18th Century Wool Industry or discover the history of farming in the dale.  Why not link your visit with a tour of the Swaledale Museum in nearby Reeth?  Hazel Brow exemplifies the link between past and present Swaledale. A unique pattern of field boundaries, mills and barns reflect the industry of past generations who later migrated to the mines and mills of Durham, Lancashire and West Yorkshire in the 19th Century.

Environment and sustainability

In the 20th Century a growing recognition of the dangers of over intensive farming practices led to the development a moorland SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Area). Conservation is now of central importance to us at Hazel Brow and we carry out continual work including tree planting, ‘scrapes’ to attract wading birds and restoration of important species-rich grassland and herbal leys.

Facilities
Toilets,  hand washing, wet weather shelter, indoor and outdoor Picnic Area, Forest School garden, den-building area, natural play area, self-guided or guided nature trail, Teachers’ information pack

Opening Times Details for School Groups
By arrangement during weekday mornings in term time.   No minimum group size and up to a max 60 pupils per session.

Costs
We may be able to offer educational visits to school age children up 16 years free of charge through our Countryside Stewardship scheme.

Other information

OS Grid Reference
SD982979

OS LandRanger Sheet Number(s)
98