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Pensthorpe Natural Park


Description

Did you know that Pensthorpe Natural Park is not just all about ducks? As well as appealing to nature and gardening enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and bird watchers, it also makes for a perfect day out for families and young children. Multiple WINNER of Norfolk's Best Large Attraction*, Pensthorpe is a modern day nature reserve with a focus on inspiring the next generation to enjoy wildlife and the great outdoors – without compromising on the tranquility and calmness that the reserve brings to so many regular visitors.

Former home of BBC Springwatch, the 700 acre reserve is a true showcase for British wildlife; beautiful gardens including one of Norfolk’s largest wildflower meadows which is home to the famous harvest mouse who starred in the recent BBC’s Planet Earth Two series and; more recently, inspiring adventure play, no matter what the weather. Encounter Flamingos, Red Squirrels, and cute ducks that will feed out of the palm of your hand; larger than life bugs on the Bug Trail; and learn more about Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s 'Actively Saving Species' projects including Operation Turtle Dove, the Great Crane Project and their Corncrake re-introduction programme. Hop on the Pensthorpe Explorer** for a behind the scenes tour to discover the secret side of the Wensum Valley, enjoy home cooked food in the Courtyard café and shop in one of North Norfolk’s largest gift shops. Families can unwind together in WildRootz, an outdoor adventure play area and Hootz House, the award winning indoor play area, complete with soft play for the under 5s.

*EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards
**Seasonal activity with additional charge


Reviews

The following reviews have been added by visit leaders using the EVOLVE system.
Overview
4.8
58 reviews


Excellent
 
76%

Very Good
 
24%

Average
 
0%

Poor
 
0%

Awful
 
0%

(November 2024)




(October 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School)




(July 2024 - Primary School)




(July 2024 - Secondary School)




(July 2024 - Primary School)




(July 2024 - Primary School)




(July 2024)




(June 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School)




Good trip - well planned. Curriculum content would need some adjustment for our school as we are not teaching National Curriculum. Play park was brilliant and staff were very helpful. (May 2024 - Primary School)




(May 2024 - Primary School)




An excellent day that was well-organised and run by Pensthorpe staff. Lots for the children to see and do and the life-cycles education session was pitched at the perfect level for Year 1 and Year 2 children. (April 2024 - Primary School)




The day went really well and the staff were very welcoming. They explained the learning clearly and the children enjoyed the activities very much. The visit enhanced our learning about animals and life cycles. (April 2024 - Primary School)




(March 2024 - Primary School)




Great venue with great activities to aid classroom learning. (March 2024 - Primary School)




(November 2023 - Secondary School)




(September 2023 - Primary School)




Great for pond dipping and follow up on our topic of animals (especially birds). Lovely grounds to walk around in summer and we had our lunch under trees in the shade. The outdoor playground was great - some of the climbing better suited to Y2 but there was something for everyone. Staff lovely. (July 2023)




(July 2023 - Primary School)




(July 2023)




We completed outdoor Forest School type activities led by school staff (June 2023 - Primary School)




(June 2023 - Primary School)




Great venue, lovely staff. Children had a great day (May 2023 - Primary School)




(May 2023 - Primary School)




(April 2023 - Primary School)




(April 2023 - Primary School)




(March 2023 - Primary School)




(March 2023)




very well set up. children were very engaged. Guide was knowledgeable and answered all the children's questions. very helpful when organising the trip (February 2023 - Primary School)




(January 2023 - Primary School)




(November 2022 - Secondary School)




(November 2022 - Primary School)




(July 2022 - Secondary School)




(July 2022 - Primary School)




Led by Pensthorpe education team, very little prep and organisation needed by the school. (July 2022 - Primary School)




(June 2022)




(June 2022)




(June 2022 - Primary School)




(June 2022 - Primary School)




Excellent organisation (June 2022 - Primary School)




(June 2022 - Primary School)




(March 2022 - Primary School)




(March 2022 - Primary School)




A really amazing place. Lots to do for children of all ages. The venue was clean and staff were very helpful and welcoming. (March 2022 - Secondary School)




(February 2022 - Primary School)




(February 2022 - Primary School)




Fantastic day. (December 2021 - Secondary School)




(December 2021 - Primary School)




(December 2021 - Primary School)




(December 2021 - Primary School)




Grreat (September 2021 - Primary School)




Excellent trip - lots to do, well organised, and very interesting (August 2021 - Secondary School)




Our first visit but we will definitely be returning...excellent venue (July 2021 - Primary School)




Wonderfull visit! Well planned and organised by Pensthorpe and we were well looked after and supported throughout our trip. Thank you so much (July 2021 - Primary School)




Fantastic trip, brilliant communication and organisation. Allan was excellent with the children. There was a fantastic balance between learning in the discovery centre and then hands on practical activities too. (July 2021 - Primary School)




Great site to visit (July 2021 - Primary School)




(June 2021 - Primary School)




(December 2019 - Primary School)




(October 2019 - Primary School)




Contact

Pensthorpe Natural Park
Pensthorpe
Fakenham
Norfolk
Nr21 0LN

Pricing

Child – £6.00

Accompanying adult (teacher or parent helper) – 1 FREE for every 5 paying children

Additional adults – £6.00

Child under 3 – FREE

Registered Carers – FREE

Opening Times

10am-5pm

Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

Description

Did you know that Pensthorpe Natural Park is not just all about ducks? As well as appealing to nature and gardening enthusiasts, wildlife lovers and bird watchers, it also makes for a perfect day out for families and young children. Multiple WINNER of Norfolk's Best Large Attraction*, Pensthorpe is a modern day nature reserve with a focus on inspiring the next generation to enjoy wildlife and the great outdoors – without compromising on the tranquility and calmness that the reserve brings to so many regular visitors.

Former home of BBC Springwatch, the 700 acre reserve is a true showcase for British wildlife; beautiful gardens including one of Norfolk’s largest wildflower meadows which is home to the famous harvest mouse who starred in the recent BBC’s Planet Earth Two series and; more recently, inspiring adventure play, no matter what the weather. Encounter Flamingos, Red Squirrels, and cute ducks that will feed out of the palm of your hand; larger than life bugs on the Bug Trail; and learn more about Pensthorpe Conservation Trust’s 'Actively Saving Species' projects including Operation Turtle Dove, the Great Crane Project and their Corncrake re-introduction programme. Hop on the Pensthorpe Explorer** for a behind the scenes tour to discover the secret side of the Wensum Valley, enjoy home cooked food in the Courtyard café and shop in one of North Norfolk’s largest gift shops. Families can unwind together in WildRootz, an outdoor adventure play area and Hootz House, the award winning indoor play area, complete with soft play for the under 5s.

*EDP Norfolk Tourism Awards
**Seasonal activity with additional charge

Pricing

Child – £6.00

Accompanying adult (teacher or parent helper) – 1 FREE for every 5 paying children

Additional adults – £6.00

Child under 3 – FREE

Registered Carers – FREE

Opening Times

10am-5pm

Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day

Contact

Pensthorpe Natural Park
Pensthorpe
Fakenham
Norfolk
Nr21 0LN

Reviews

The following reviews have been added by visit leaders using the EVOLVE system.
Overview
4.8
58 reviews


Excellent
 
76%

Very Good
 
24%

Average
 
0%

Poor
 
0%

Awful
 
0%

November 2024




October 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School




July 2024 - Primary School




July 2024 - Secondary School




July 2024 - Primary School




July 2024 - Primary School




July 2024




June 2024 - Primary School & Secondary School




May 2024 - Primary School
Good trip - well planned. Curriculum content would need some adjustment for our school as we are not teaching National Curriculum. Play park was brilliant and staff were very helpful.



May 2024 - Primary School




April 2024 - Primary School
An excellent day that was well-organised and run by Pensthorpe staff. Lots for the children to see and do and the life-cycles education session was pitched at the perfect level for Year 1 and Year 2 children.



April 2024 - Primary School
The day went really well and the staff were very welcoming. They explained the learning clearly and the children enjoyed the activities very much. The visit enhanced our learning about animals and life cycles.



March 2024 - Primary School




March 2024 - Primary School
Great venue with great activities to aid classroom learning.



November 2023 - Secondary School




September 2023 - Primary School




July 2023
Great for pond dipping and follow up on our topic of animals (especially birds). Lovely grounds to walk around in summer and we had our lunch under trees in the shade. The outdoor playground was great - some of the climbing better suited to Y2 but there was something for everyone. Staff lovely.



July 2023 - Primary School




July 2023




June 2023 - Primary School
We completed outdoor Forest School type activities led by school staff



June 2023 - Primary School




May 2023 - Primary School
Great venue, lovely staff. Children had a great day



May 2023 - Primary School




April 2023 - Primary School




April 2023 - Primary School




March 2023 - Primary School




March 2023




February 2023 - Primary School
very well set up. children were very engaged. Guide was knowledgeable and answered all the children's questions. very helpful when organising the trip



January 2023 - Primary School




November 2022 - Secondary School




November 2022 - Primary School




July 2022 - Secondary School




July 2022 - Primary School




July 2022 - Primary School
Led by Pensthorpe education team, very little prep and organisation needed by the school.



June 2022




June 2022




June 2022 - Primary School




June 2022 - Primary School




June 2022 - Primary School
Excellent organisation



June 2022 - Primary School




March 2022 - Primary School




March 2022 - Primary School




March 2022 - Secondary School
A really amazing place. Lots to do for children of all ages. The venue was clean and staff were very helpful and welcoming.



February 2022 - Primary School




February 2022 - Primary School




December 2021 - Secondary School
Fantastic day.



December 2021 - Primary School




December 2021 - Primary School




December 2021 - Primary School




September 2021 - Primary School
Grreat



August 2021 - Secondary School
Excellent trip - lots to do, well organised, and very interesting



July 2021 - Primary School
Our first visit but we will definitely be returning...excellent venue



July 2021 - Primary School
Wonderfull visit! Well planned and organised by Pensthorpe and we were well looked after and supported throughout our trip. Thank you so much



July 2021 - Primary School
Fantastic trip, brilliant communication and organisation. Allan was excellent with the children. There was a fantastic balance between learning in the discovery centre and then hands on practical activities too.



July 2021 - Primary School
Great site to visit



June 2021 - Primary School




December 2019 - Primary School




October 2019 - Primary School