Excursions from PGL Liddington
Coate Water Country Park
The nature reserve is ideal for bird watching. Wildfowl live on the lake, while the numerous footpaths appeal to walkers. Magnificent lake, wildlife, children's play area, pitch & putt mini golf, cafe, bird hides, nature reserve and tree collection. During the summer, the paddling pool and model railway are open.
Website: www.swindon.gov.uk/leisure-parkscoatewater
Opening times: 1000hrs till Dusk.
Museum of the Great Western Railway
STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on 'God's Wonderful Railway'. Experience the sights and sounds of the GWR works at Swindon - famous as the place where many of the best steam locomotives in the world were built - and to hear the stories of the men and women who worked there. The museum also highlights the work of Brunel - who brought the GWR to life.
Website: http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/
Bowood House & Gardens
Bowood is a stately home with a mix of historical treasures, such as Queen Victoria’s wedding chair, the Keith Jewellery Collection and Napoleon’s death mask - all surrounded by Capability Brown’s parklands. There is also a large Adventure Playground with a life-size pirate galleon, space dive, aerial rope walks and giant slides.
Website: www.bowood.org
Opening Times: March – October 11am-5.30pm.
Avebury Stone Circle
World-famous stone circle at the heart of a prehistoric landscape. Archaeological finds are displayed in the on-site museum. Please note that due to ongoing conservation work some sections of the stone circle may be closed. Avebury stone circle is in the guardianship of English Heritage and managed on its behalf by the National Trust.
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury
Birdland
Birdland is set in woodland, river and gardens. This natural setting is inhabited by over 500 birds. Flamingos, pelicans, penguins, cranes, storks, cassowary and waterfowl can be seen on various aspects of the water habitat. Over 50 aviaries of parrots, falcons, pheasants, hornbills, toucans, touracos, pigeons, ibis and many more. The Tropical, Toucan and Desert Houses are home to the more delicate species. Penguin feeding time 1430hrs
Website: www.birdland.co.uk
Opening times: April – Oct 1000hrs – 1800hrs, Nov – March 1000hrs – 1600hrs
The Model Village, Bourton-on-the-Water
The Model Village is a detailed one ninth scale model of Bourton-on-the-Water. Here you will find the River Windrush with its distinctive bridges, the beeches, willows and chestnuts all in miniature. At the churches you can hear the choirs. The buildings are constructed and maintained in Cotswold stone from the local quarry. Built by local craftsmen in the 1930's it is a unique experience which appeals to all ages.
Opening times: All year round
Dragonfly Maze
The Dragonfly Maze was created in 1995. The ambition was to combine a traditional Yew Hedge Maze with a Rebus Puzzle. The central pavilion houses automated sculptures by artist and sculptor Kit Williams. If you can find your way to the centre of the maze, see if you can discover the secret hiding place of the Golden Dragonfly.
Opening Times: Summer opening times from 10.00am until 5.30pm. Winter opening times may vary.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park is home to a fascinating and varied collection of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates from all over the world and aspires to help people understand and respect all forms of wildlife. Many of the animals in the park are endangered in the I.U.C.N.'s (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red Data Books; others are still relatively numerous in the wild, but offer an educational encounter of value.
Website: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Opening Times: The Park is open everyday throughout the year (except 25th December) from 10am.
Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle was once the home of the 5th Earl of Carnavon, famous for his work in the Valley of the Kings in 1922. Many Egyptian artefacts are housed in a permanent exhibition in the basement. The castle was built by Sir Charles Barry - who also designed the Houses of Parliament - with which there are many similarities in style and design.
Website: www.highclerecastle.co.uk
Opening Times: Please call your advisor for availability, as only one group can be taken at any one time.
Chedworth Roman Villa
Chedworth is the best site in the country for exploring and understanding the remains of a large country house of the Roman period. Chedworth Roman Villa is an interactive attraction, with many events being staged so that your experience of the site is ehanced and your understanding of the Roman way of life improved. A 15-minute audiovisual presentation gives visitors an insight into the history of this fascinating place. Chedworth Roman Villa is a very popular place for school groups to visit.
Website: www.chedworthromanvilla.com
Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday 1000hrs-1600hrs.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace, home to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, offers a memorable day out. Set in 2100 acres of beautiful parkland landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, the exquisite Baroque Palace is surrounded by sweeping lawns, formal gardens and the magnificent Lake.
Website: www.blenheimpalace.com
Opening Times: Palace & Gardens Open Daily from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Salisbury Cathedral
Be inspired by the peace and beauty of perhaps England’s most perfect Cathedral set within 8 acres of lawn in the spectacular Cathedral Close. Climb up to the country’s tallest spire and discover hidden artworks and treasures, including the best preserved original Magna Carta. Self Guiding leaflets are available.
Website: ; www.salisburycathedral.org.uk
Opening: 9am-5pm daily. Sundays 12.30pm-14.30pm & 4pm-5pm. Please note, opening times may vary at short notice.
Glastonbury Abbey
The buildings of the Abbey span 2000 years of history and within the grounds is the burial place of the legendary King Arthur. It was the last Abbey in Somerset to be destroyed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The central towers still remain, as does the 14th century Abbot's kitchen. This is now used as a theatre for a team of Living History interpreters and houses an interactive display showing how a medieval kitchen might have been equipped. A day spent at the Abbey as part of a school journey or day trip, can have many cross-curricular applications.
Website: www.glastonburyabbey.com
Opening Times: Open every day except Christmas Day.
@Bristol
Become an animator for the day and take a journey through animation past and present. With over 300 hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows and a Planetarium, At-Bristol is one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting interactive science centres.
Website: www.at-bristol.org.uk
Opening Times: 10am-6pm on weekends, bank holidays and daily during Bristol school holidays 10am-5pm on weekdays (Bristol schools term-time only)
SS Great Britain
Visit Brunel’s SS Great Britain to transport your pupils back in time to Victorian Britain. Experience what life was like on the world’s biggest steam ship in the nineteenth century, from first class passengers to those travelling in cramped and dirty steerage.
Website: www.ssgreatbritain.org.uk
Roman Baths
The Roman Baths are below the modern street level and has four main features, the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman bath house and finds from the Roman Bath. The Georgian Pump Room is on the ground level. A range of visit options are available - from a teaching session to self-guided activities. A new audio tour especially for children is also available.
Website: www.romanbaths.co.uk
Longleat
In 1966, Longleat caused a revolution in the world of zoological collections by becoming the first location outside Africa to open a drive-through Safari Park.
Some 40 years later this unique way of showing animals in their natural surroundings still delights and amazes hundreds of thousands of visitors to Longleat each year.
Website: www.longleat.co.uk
Chessington World of Adventures
Spend a whole day exploring the themed lands set in different times and places with spectacular rides including Transylvania, or hurtle through Calamity Canyon on the Runaway Mine train, or visit Animal Land, which has an education centre.
Website: www.chessington.com
Thorpe Park
With all kinds of exhilarating rides, shoot the rapids down Thunder River, test your nerves on the Flying Fish, and try the new ‘X:\ No Way Out’. Visit the nature reserve, with over 40 species of birds, or Model World where you can see such world famous buildings as the Taj Mahal and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, scaled down to 1:36 of their actual size.
On site there is a school study centre and worksheets are available on many aspects of the park.
Website: www.thorpepark.com
Legoland, Windsor
The main concept is to learn through play. Each child can interact and control their experience. There are two school programmes, the first includes a workshop and time in the park, the second being the park only with no time-table or workshop.
Website: www.legoland.co.uk
Opening times: March - October
Please note: The educational workshops are only available weekday term-time.