School visits

Porthkerry country park has a wide variety of habitats: extensive broadleaved woodlands, wildflower meadows, streams, a small dipping pond, large recreational grasslands and access to a fine semi-circular pebble beach. These make it an ideal place for learning about our natural world.

The ranger service can provide  a variety of different activities for schools and youth groups, including traditional environmental learning sessions, as well as art and craft sessions, den building and conservation work. Schools can use an enclosed woodland area for the study of trees, mini beasts and other sensory activities. A magical log circle has now been created for groups wanting to take part in Forest School activities.

The small pond can be used for pond dipping and there are nets and trays available with identification guides.

Three trails now run throughout the Park: a permanent orienteering route, a footprint walk and a wildlife trail.

The park has recently recieved grant funding to provide resource materials for schools to use onsite. There are two resource packs available:

1. Learning Through Play Pack

This pack includes a variety of materials that encourage children to 'play' outside and hopefully learn about the world around them at the  same time. The pack includes den making materials, arts and craft materials, and materials that encourage investigation of the natural world!

2. Sports Pack

This pack contains  the Activate Programme Kit, which consists of a range of different activities including hoops, balls, rackets, skipping ropes, at least 50 different items, plus a range of items to construct obstacle courses that children can complete. The pack also includes an Acti Gym set, High stilts, Team walker, Jump sack set of 4, Play tunnel and parachute.                                       

If you would like to arrange a visit to  the park or use the ranger service to run some activities for your school or group, please contact the ranger service on 01446 733589 or porthkerry@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk. Please note that there is a cost for any ranger led activities.