AONBs are landscapes of fantastic diversity offering natural and cultural heritage to explore. They are excellent places of learning for all ages.

In partnership with South Shropshire Youth Forum, local schools and other youth groups we have worked with many young people in and around the Shropshire Hills over the years, helping them to connect with and care about this special landscape. Take a look at this short film, Buzz in the Borders, helping primary school children to discover all about pollinators.

The John Muir Award has proven a great way to engage with school children and teachers. Named after the pioneer of the National Parks movement, the John Muir Award helps participants to discover and explore a wild place, to do something to conserve it, and to share their experience. Based on our work, resources have been developed to help other AONBs deliver the John Muir Award across the UK, which you can download here.

 

Intested in joining Young rangers? Click here to find out more

Other learning opportunities in the Shropshire Hills include:

Organised school visits

• Cardingmill Valley, the National Trust offers a range of organised activities for school parties.
• Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre offer activities for schools and workshops through the school holidays.
• Shropshire Wildlife Trust, offer activities and have produced the directory “Where Wild Schools Go” of sites suitable for countryside visits by schools.
• Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, welcomes school parties and other interested groups.
• Snailbeach Lead Mine - school visits including underground tours available by arrangement.
• Blakemoorgate Cottages, Stiperstones - visits can be arranged through Natural England, who own the cottages.

 

Rural skills & craft courses

• Bog Visitor Centre - runs a varity of craft courses
• Acton Scott Historic Working Farm
• Westhope Craft College
• The Gleanings Rural Studies Centre
• Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre - range of courses for adults including cookery with local ingredients.
• The Hurst - creative writing

 

Museums & resource centres

• Shrophire Archives
• Ludlow Museum Resource Centre
• Bishop's Castle Heritage Resource Centre
• Acton Scott Hisoric Working Farm