School Trip Ideas
28th Feb 2012
School trips are always a delicate balance between keeping the children entertained and finding a day out that is suitably educational to be worth the trip. Luckily there is such a wealth of days out in Bristol that finding the right educational school trip is easy. We have listed below five of the best places to broaden the collective mind of your classroom.
Brunel’s SS Great Britain
It is important for children to understand the history of Bristol, which was the most used port in the UK during the 15th century, with trade booming to nearby Ireland. By the 18th century Bristol trade had escalated to include transatlantic journeys with America and the Caribbean. Brunel’s SS Great Britain was a great part of this as the first iron steamer to journey between Bristol and New York during the Victorian era.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm is set in idyllic Bristol countryside and the animals have plenty of room to roam here in more than 100 acres of farmland. The zoo is famous for having big zoo animals including lions and tigers, as well as more unusual animals like tapirs. Pending raising the necessary funding, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm will create the largest elephant enclosure in Europe in 2013, making it an even better school trip destination.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge
It costs nothing to visit the Clifton Suspension Bridge (unless you have to pay to drive across it. This magnificent structure was designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (who built SS Great Britain) and it stretches invitingly over the Avon Gorge. There is a plaque here with more information about how the bridge was created, and lots of excellent walks that wind through the stunning gorge.
At-Bristol
Fast forward one hundred and fifty years and At-Bristol very much represents the future of Bristol. With more than 300 interactive exhibits including live science shows and a planetarium, there is plenty here to keep school trip groups interested. At-Bristol aims to bring science to people of all ages and this is a multi-award winning venue.
Bristol Aquarium
The Bristol Aquarium is also conveniently located in Harbourside, and while Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has a large array of land animals the Bristol Aquarium has every type of sea creature conceivable. Visitors can marvel at everything from local crustaceans, such as giant spider crabs, to fish that come from coral seas and the Amazon. One of the main attractions is a giant Pacific octopus, but rest assured children will learn plenty too with learning labs held in a fully-equipped classroom.