Local venues for environmental educational visits
There are a wide range of countryside centres and other venues throughout the Tees Valley that offer schools and other educational groups hands-on environmental activities. Here is a list of venues and contact details. Please contact us if you know of any others.
Middlesbrough
Lingfield Countryside Centre
Lingfield Countryside Centre is located on Mount Pleasant Way in Coulby Newham. This is Middlesbrough’s only countryside facility and it aims to promote all kinds of environmental issues from recycling to creating new wildlife habitats. It offers a wide variety of activities for schools and educational groups including earth education, introduction to food chains, habitats, adaptation and life cycles, seasonal environmental arts and crafts plus practical conservation work.
Address:
Lingfield Countryside Centre, Mount Pleasant Way, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough TS8 0XF
Tel: 01642 577325
Nature’s World
Nature’s World, Middlesbrough, is a unique site which aims to provide information, ideas and inspiration for living in harmony with nature, and improving our environment. By using sustainable practices, such as renewable energy and recycling, a 25-acre peaceful rural haven on the edge of a thriving urban centre has been created. It can provide educational visits on a variety of sustainability topics.
Address:
Nature’s World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough TS5 7YN
Tel: 01642 594895
Stockton
Wynyard Woodland Park
Wynyard Woodland Park (formerly known as the Castle Eden Walkway) started life as a working railway carrying freight to the ports along the River Tees. Now it provides visitors with miles of flat footpaths and numerous circular walks. Housed in the old railway station, the Visitor Centre has displays about archaeology, woodland history and wildlife. The rangers can provide a wide range of wildlife activities for educational groups. The Observatory has become popular with visitors interested in astronomy and is available to schools, groups and visitors throughout the year.
www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/environment/parksandopen/countrysidesites/wynyard_woodland_park/
Visit the Wynyard Woodland Trust Environmental Trust website for a virtual tour at www.wynyardwoodlandpark.org.uk
Address:
Wynyard Woodland Park (formerly the Castle Eden Walkway), Station House, Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 3JG
Tel: 01740 630011
Billingham Beck Valley Country Park
With its colourful meadows, ponds, marsh and woodland, Billingham Beck Valley is one of Stockton borough’s most interesting areas of countryside. This wetland provides a home for plants and animals, many of which are beginning to disappear from our countryside, as wetlands are being drained. The Ranger Service leads themed visits for school groups, including pond dipping and mini beasting, habitats and how plants and animals live.
www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/environment/parksandopen/countrysidesites/BBVCP/
Address:
Ecology Park, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees TS23 1RA
Tel: 01642 360376
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park
Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park is a new area of woodland located on the edge of Billingham. The site was reclaimed from former brickworks, landfill and ex-agricultural land. Although still in the early stages of growth, rapid development has led to the site’s large variety of habitats and wildlife. These include grassland, a lake, a series of ponds and a beck flowing around the boundary. The site has an attractive new visitors’ centre and the rangers are able to offer a wide range of education programmes to suit all ages.
www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/environment/parksandopen/countrysidesites/CBWP/
Address:
Visitor Centre, Seal Sands Link Road, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees TS23 3NF
Tel: 01642 371633
Hartlepool
Summerhill Nature Reserve and Outdoor Sports Centre
Summerhill is a unique Country Park. Set on the western edge of Hartlepool, the 100-acre site has been transformed from low-grade farmland into a Local Nature Reserve that is also an outdoor sports centre. School visits can be arranged for map reading and orienteering, archaeological activities, boulder climbing, archery and environmental games activities.
Address:
Summerhill Visitor Centre, Summerhill Lane, Hartlepool TS25 4LL
Tel: 01429 284584
Teesmouth Field Centre
Teesmouth Field Centre is adjacent to the entrance of Hartlepool Power Station and every year the facilities and exhibits are enjoyed by over 3500 school children, students and members of the public. Wheelchair access, parking and toilets are available.
Educational and recreational groups of all ages are welcome. Two full-time staff, together with several volunteers, provide a varied programme of field studies throughout the year by prior arrangement.
Address:
Field Centre, Hartlepool Power Station, Tees Road, Hartlepool TS25 2BZ
Tel: 01429 264912
Redcar and Cleveland
Guisborough Forest and Walkway
The Guisborough Forest and Walkway is situated in Pinchinthorpe on the outskirts of Guisborough. It extends for 2.5 miles along part of the route followed by the old Guisborough Branch Railway line, heading west towards Nunthorpe, and east to Guisborough Forest, which is managed by Forest Enterprise. It is a gateway site to the North York Moors National Park and offers splendid views of Roseberry Topping to the south. Points of local interest include Highcliff Nab and the Hanging Stone. Captain Cook’s Monument is also within walking distance. The Rangers offer an environment educational service for schools and groups.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/main.nsf/web+full+list/3529cb9ebdcbf6e580256b9c00497907?opendocument
Address:
Guisborough Forest & Walkway, Pinchinthorpe, Guisborough TS14 8HD
Tel: (01287) 631132
Saltburn Valley Woodland Centre
The Woodland Centre can be found at the end of the Valley Gardens and acts as a link through to Rifts Wood. The ranger responsible for the Valley, is based at the Woodland Centre in which the story of the valley is told through leaflets, displays, events and school visits. There are many leaflets available from the centre showing circular walks through the valley, coast and through Saltburn Gill, a Local Nature Reserve which is managed by Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. The centre can also act as an information gateway to the wider countryside.
The Cleveland Way passes through Rifts Wood coming from Guisborough and making its way onto Huntcliff and Whitby. Huntcliff has a vast sea bird colony that can be viewed at low tide.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/main.nsf/Web+Full+List/AE5950327DCF8ACE80256B9C0049AD2F?OpenDocument
Address:
c/o Saltburn T.I.C., 3 Station Buildings, Saltburn TS12 1AQ
Tel: 01287 622408
Flatts Lane Country Park
Flatts Lane Country Park is the perfect place to explore the countryside south of Normanby. The park is also an ideal starting point from which to visit the Eston Hills. The site is rich in history and wildlife and its countryside rangers are able to advise and assist with educational visits.
www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/main.nsf/Web+Full+List/F729B6E7C67F4B4180256B9C0049289E?OpenDocument
Address:
Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, Flatts Lane, Normanby, Middlesbrough TS6 0NN
Tel: (01642) 459629
