Snowdonia is a paradise for any budding geographer and a wonderful place to visit if you’re looking to inspire your class and get them excited about the incredible world they live in. While famous for its stunning mountain ranges, there is more to this beautiful region than you might first think.
The landscape in the national park is as diverse as it is beautiful and, from cascading waterfalls to tranquil lakes, sweeping valleys to extensive woodland, and estuaries full of birdlife to pretty sandy beaches, Snowdonia has it all. This spot is proof that you don’t need to travel a million miles to see something amazing, and many parents appreciate a trip that doesn’t involve overseas travel. Home to a host of flora and fauna, including some rare species, the park is the perfect place to take children on an educational trip that focuses on geography.
Highlights of Snowdonia
The Environmental Study Centre
Plas Tan y Bwlch is the name of the wonderful Environmental Studies Centre in the park. Enjoying a fitting location looking over the River Dwyryd, the centre hosts courses aimed at teaching visitors about this incredible part of the British Isles. Easy to get to from all corners of Snowdonia, the centre is definitely worth a visit. With so many raw materials on the doorstep, the courses run here are informative, interactive and can be tailored for groups of students.
Greenwood Park
Youngsters travelling to this beautiful part of Wales on an educational trip will love a day out at Greenwood Park. The perfect outdoor attraction, the theme park places a huge emphasis on the idea of having fun in our natural surroundings. Get your group working as a team in the den building area, for example, before setting them off to conquer the Crocodile Maze. There is a people-powered roller coaster here, too, which definitely gets the children thinking, and plenty of other attractions that are zero or low-energy when they need a break.
It is amazing how many school children find walking barefoot so alien, but once they give it a go they always seem to love it. The Barefoot Trail is an ingenious idea, which aims to awaken the senses. It gives youngsters the chance to focus their mind on what they are feeling, while engaging with nature and the landscape they’re learning about.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
For over 100 years, people have been travelling by rail to the summit of the highest mountain in England and Wales. There is no better way to engage young learners and get them enthused about the geology and geographical history of a landscape than exposing them to it in all its glory. Stunning panoramic views and an exciting ride make this a truly memorable experience for all.
Sygun Copper Mine
Snowdonia just keeps on giving when it comes to unique days out, and Sygun Copper Mine comes high on the list of places to visit on an educational trip. Students will step back in time to learn about a precious industry that was once the backbone of the area.
Self-guided tours take you through chambers and tunnels and into beautiful caves with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as copper ore veins containing precious metals that weave through the walls. This attraction really brings a Victorian copper mine to life and demonstrates how humans have taken advantage of their natural surroundings in order to progress.
Planning an educational trip can be a daunting prospect, so booking with a specialist school travel company is highly recommended. Let the professionals take the stress out of the logistics and leave you to concentrate on gathering interest from parents and students – which will be easy to do when you choose Snowdonia.
John Gardiner is the Managing Director of The School Travel Company, a tour operator specialising in educational trip itineraries for school and youth groups to the UK, Europe and beyond. As a father and avid traveller, John is very passionate about providing students with valuable and engaging learning experiences outside of the classroom. By sharing his expert advice with teachers, he allows them to inspire their students and bring their studies to life.
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