Education Facilities Information Sheet 2005

This provides an overview of the facilities offered by our members.
For fuller information, access/special needs provisions and confirmation
of details, please contact them direct using the telephone, e mail or web facilities shown.



Anderton Boat Lift and Operations Centre – take a trip to remember through the world’s first boat lift and see first hand how the lift operates. Lift Lane, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 6FW. Limited winter opening, From Easter open seven days a week until October. 09.45- 17.00. Follow signs from Northwich town centre or J10 M56. Pre booked Education rates for groups of 12+ :Children £3.25, Adults £4.75. 1 in 8 places free of charge for teachers/accompanying adults. Price includes entrance to Operations Centre with interactive exhibits, use of education area, outdoor playground and boat trip through the lift in special glass topped trip boat. Contact booking line on 01606 786777 FAX 01606 872903. www.andertonboatlift.co.uk Comprehensive
waterways education website with worksheets – Wild Over Waterways (WOW) www.wow4water.net

Arley Hall and Gardens - explore the fascinating heritage and natural
beauty of this delightful 2,000 acre estate. Great Budworth, near Northwich. Arley offers tailor-made educational workshops throughout the changing seasons. The hall provides an excellent backdrop for Key Stage II mathematics, science and living history projects, while the gardens and surrounding estate are ideal for biology, nature and geography projects. Stockley Farm, also on the estate, gives a fascinating insight into life on a working farm. Contact Judy Popley on 01565 777353 ext 22 or Stockley Farm on 01565 777323. Email: marketing@arleyhallandgardens.com website www.arleyhallandgardens.com www.stockleyfarm.co.uk


Beeston Castle – Discover 4,000 years of history at this mighty hill-top castle, known as the ‘Castle of the Rock’. Chapel Lane, Beeston, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9TX. With views over 8 Counties, this medieval fortress was inspired by hill-top strongholds in the Holy Land. Open: Apr-Sept daily 10am-6pm; Oct-Mar daily 10am-4pm. Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan. Free admission to school parties.
Location: 11 miles SE of Chester on minor road off A49 or A41
Facilities: Free familiarisation visits for teachers; free teachers’ notes; new resources for Easter 2005 – story box and handling collection for schools; exhibition on the history of the site; shop. Contact for school enquiries and bookings: Sally Parker, Education & Group Bookings, English Heritage North West, Canada House, 3 Chepstow Street, Manchester, M1 5FW. Tel: 0161 242 1404 Fax: 0161 242 1401.
E-mail: sally.parker@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/beestoncastle

Blakemere Shopping Experience – a great shopping site with interesting activities and craft opportunities. Chester Road, Sandiway, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2EB. OPEN 10.00 – 17.00 seven days a week including weekends and Bank Holidays. A49/A556 Junction. 01606 883261, FAX 01606 301495. www.blakemere-shoppingexperience.com Free admission to site. Edwardian cobbled stable courtyard, alongside the Paddocks Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Gardenland Nursery and Cheshire Waterlife Aquatic and Falconry Centre. Children love the flying displays, craft workshops and courses. Day nursery for up to age 5. Play Barn (up to age 10). Contact Janet Barnes on 01606 883261

The Boat Museum - An important educational resource for children of all ages in Cheshire and beyond. South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 4FW. Tel 0151 355 5017. Fax 0151 355 4079. Hands-on learning experiences for your students through dressing up sessions, exploration of the historic boats, visiting the dock workers cottages 1840 - 1950, and traditional art workshops. Discussions with teachers are welcome about special requirements and fitting the many facets of the Museum into the National Curriculum. April - October 10.00 – 17.00 daily. November - March 11am - 4pm Saturday to Wednesday, closed Thursdays and Fridays. J9, M53. bookings@thewaterwaystrust.org mailto:bookings@thewaterwaystrust.org Web site www.boatmuseum.org.uk www.boatmuseum.org.uk Admission per child £2.95, £1 additional for activities, Boat trip £1 per child. Free adult ratio - call for details. Contact Hayley Parsonage. For special arrangements including tailor made sessions contact David Hardman 0151 355 5017

Bridgemere Garden World - A unique shopping experience combining gardens and Europe’s largest selection of plants for home and garden. - Almost a village in itself! Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7QB. M6, J15 & 16. A51 south. Open daily 09.00 – 18.00 winter, until 19.00 summer (except 25 & 26 December). Tel 01270 521100, Fax 01270 520215. info@bridgemere.co.uk www.bridgemere.co.uk. School visits can be arranged linking to classwork with materials to grow on in school. £4.60 per child for a two hour visit. Adult education in the format of tours of the gardens and days out programmes linked to flower arranging techniques; combine plants with pottery. Summer colour/autumn and spring colour in your garden. Prices include coffee and lunch and differ for the various programmes. Full details in the Days Out leaflet available. Contact Rosalind Harrington.

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre - A unique interactive experience which explores the science and technology behind chemistry, the chemical industry and its impact on our lives. Mersey Road, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 0DF. Minutes from Runcorn Bridge M62 J7, M56 J12. Tel: 0151 420 1121, Fax: 0151 495 2030, www.catalyst.org.uk, e-mail: education@catalyst.org.uk. Open from 10.00 Tues - Fri, 11.00am at weekends. Suitable for KS1 through to KS4, 6th form and beyond, Catalyst offers theme weeks, special events, workshops and trails with many cross curricular links. Education rates - £2.50 per pupil, with extra charge for special events and workshops, adults free on ratios of 1:5 for KS1, 1:7 for KS2 and 1:10 for KS3 and over. Contact Meryl Jameson for Education Pack.
Chester Zoo – UK’s leading wildlife attraction, supporting worldwide breeding and conservation. Upton by Chester, Chester CH2 1LH. Open 10.00 daily. M53 J10/ M56 J14 - to A41. 01244 650205 or 01244 389444. FAX 01244 650234. education@chesterzoo.org www.chesterzoo.org Support from reception through to undergraduate. Education rates for school/college parties (from19th March– 31st Aug 2005), Under 3’s free. All pupils/students £7.00. Teachers/accompanying adults free admission: pre-school /Reception 1:3; Primary 1:5; Secondary 1:10. Classroom led sessions (not for pre-school), KS1/2, KS3/4 & AS/A2 & beyond - 70p extra, Additional adults £10,50. From 1st September 2005-7th April 2006, all pupils/students £5, additional Adults £7.50. Same ratios. Free activity trails, Animal Talks, Wildlife Activity Centre and Wildlife Discovery Centre. Comprehensive web information and brochures available. Notification of visit 10 -14 days ahead is appreciated (Easter to July). Contact Mark Powleson.

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker – Cheshire’s nuclear war secret emergency headquarters preserved. PO Box 127, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AQ. Open 10.30 daily from March 2oth- end October. Closed December. Weekend opening from 11.00 at other times. M6, J16. Off A530 close to Nantwich. 01270 629219. FAX 01270 629218. coldwar@hackgreen.co.uk www.hackgreen.co.uk Primary to Sixth Form and beyond. Modern history and technology notes available. Spy Trail and Quiz. Pre booked group rates (minimum 10) Children (to 16) £3.50; Students £5.00. Education information - Rod Siebert.

Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre & Arboretum. Home of the Lovell Telescope. Lower Withington, near Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 9DL. Find out how the telescope works, why it was built here and the work it carries out, by walking along our new Observational Pathway. Explore the natural woodland and wildlife in the Arboretum. Find out how trees help to sustain the Earth’s environment in our Tree Planet exhibition. Experience the planets at large or take a trip to Mars in our 3D Theatre. Small hands-on exhibition area. Shop and Space Café. Admission charges £1.00 per pupil, 1 adult free with every 7 pupils, extra adults £1.50. Admission to 3D Theatre 50p per person per show. Open Mid March to end of October 10.30 to 17.30 daily, Nov to mid March 10.30 to 15,00 weekdays and 11.00 to 16.00 weekends and Cheshire school holidays. For further information call 01477 571339 or email: jodrell.visitor.centre@manchester.ac.uk. website www.manachester.ac.uk/jodrellbank/viscen

Ness Botanic Gardens - a wealth of plant life for environmental and science based education. Ness, Neston, South Wirral CH64 4AY. Open 9.30 daily. M56 western end (J16) A5117, A540 or M53 J4 and B 5136. 0151 353 0123 FAX 0151 353 1004 nessgdns@liv.ac.uk www.nessgardens.org.uk Full support for National Curriculum, Education team has trained guides to give tours/follow topics. Pond dipping sessions integral part of visit. Education room. Booking essential. Comprehensive leaflet. Guided visits £60 per 30 children, unaccompanied visits £30 per 30 children with free adults 1:6 ratio. Free teachers’ preliminary visits. Contact Alison Cliffe.

Norton Priory Museum & Gardens. Explore 800 years of history and the environment at this multi-award winning museum & gardens. Tudor Road, Manor Park, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SX. Open 12.00 daily, M56, J11. Tel: 01928 569895. info@nortonpriory.org www.nortonpriory.org Key stages 1-3 and beyond, with history (Tudor Lives and Victorians), religious studies, geography, environmental science (options include mini beasts and pond-dipping) and art themes. Workshops and trails including permanent sculpture trail. Special sessions for the Early Years including Story-telling in the beautiful Georgian Walled Garden. Comprehensive leaflet. Free preliminary visits. Booking essential. Education rates £2.50 per child with adults free on a 1:8 ratio. Contact Community & Education Officer for more details. Three times Sandford Award winner for Excellence in Heritage Education.

Port Sunlight Village – Discover the fascinating history of this 19th Century model village. Greendale Road, Port Sunlight, Wirral, CH 62 4XE. From East towards Chester: M56, M53, J5, A41 Birkenhead, follow signs. From Liverpool: Birkenhead Tunnel, A41 Chester, follow signs. Heritage Centre open daily with free admission for pre-booked school groups. Free detail packs and familiarisation trips for teachers, pre-booked guided tours and loan box facility. Contact Carol Darlington/Julie Hayes on 0151 644 6466 info@portsunlightvillage.com www.portsunlightvillage.com

Redhouse Farm Maize Maze – an amazing summer education resource! Redhouse Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 5RL www.redhousefarm.co.uk or email maizemaze@redhousefarm.co.uk
The maize maze runs from mid July - mid September from 10am daily. For the maize maze itself there are special education packs specially devised for Key stages 1 and 2 which cover the subjects of English, Maths, Science and Geography. Teachers are encouraged to call for the educational packs before the visits and indeed call for a preliminary visit to the farm before bringing the group. Special educational admission prices are available for schools. Free entry for teachers and supervisors. Contact Jonathan Hewitt - Maze Mobile 07766 770069 Shop/tearoom 0161 941 3480

The Salt Museum – Discover Cheshire’s Hidden Heritage.
162 London Rd, Northwich, CW9 8AB. Open Tuesday to Friday 10.00 - 17.00, Saturday and Sunday 14.00 –17.00. Also open Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00 – 17.00 Schools and pre-booked groups welcome at any time. M6 J19 or M56 J8, signed from the A556. Tel: 01606 41331, Fax: 01606 350420 tom.hughes@cheshire.gov.uk www.saltmuseum.org.uk Hands-on workshops to support National Curriculum topics, Romans, Saxons, Tudors, Victorians, local history, salt industry, science – changing materials, geography – towns, rivers. science experiments, craft workshops, living history, & artefact handling. Free preliminary visits. Booking essential. Education rates: Cheshire County Council schools: 1&Mac218;2 day workshop; £2.40 per child, full day workshop; £3.40. Other schools: 1&Mac218;2 day workshop; £2.90 per child, full day workshop; £4.00. Accompanying adults free. Community & Education Officer – Tom Hughes.

The Palms Tropical Oasis at Stapeley Water Gardens Tropical intrigue in a safe environment. London Road, Stapeley, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 7LH. Open 10.00 daily. M6, J16. 01270 628628. FAX 01270 624919. info@stapeleywg.com. www.stapeleywg.com ‘The best school trip ever – we never knew there was so much to see!’. NEW Meet the Keeper sessions for visiting schools. NEW Resource Material (KS1and 2), NEW Tamarin Board Games and Fact Sheets all developed with Staffordshire Partnership, reinforce established KS2 ‘Our World’ booklet (FREE supervisors’ version). FREE preliminary visits to help with your Risk Assessment. Admission Price for Schools £2.75 (with ‘Our World’ booklet), otherwise £2.35, Supervisors 1:5 FREE, £3.95 for additional adults. Great lunch facilities. FREE tickets for children for return visit.
Contact Annabelle Heath or Valda Fillery.