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Horton Kirby Environmental Centre

A mix of day visits and science workshops - all created to bring learning to life for your pupils.

Day visits with us

Set in the village of Horton Kirby in Kent, our Environmental Centre used to be the village primary school. Here we can offer a range of experiences where your pupils will truly be hands on exploring nature or stepping back in time to relive certain era's of our history. Our Centre is managed by fully qualified teachers who will ensure your pupils have a fun, safe, engaging and educational day. The authentic and inspiring venue will get your pupils learning whilst showing them so much more.

Our day visits offer fantastic learning opportunities for your pupils, there is very little sitting and listening and most of the time they will be learning and 'doing'.

Day visits available are:

  • River Study Day
  • Nature Day
  • Rocks Day
  • Settlements Day
  • World War II - Time Travellers
  • Victorians - Time Travellers
  • Fantastic Physical Forces Day.

Day visits to Horton Kirby Environmental Centre

We can also come to you!

We have a fantastic set of four science workshop days that we can bring to you. We will bring all the items (clean and COVID-19 compliant) needed for these workshops to you and will deliver these interesting and educational sessions on your site.

The following workshops are currently available:

  • Mission Incredible: Fantastic Physical Forces Workshop
  • Escape from the Science Laboratory Workshop (States of Matter)
  • Saving Planet Earth - Electricity Workshop
  • Rock. Soils and Fossils Day.

Science workshop days information

29 School Lane
Horton Kirby
Dartford
Kent
DA4 9DQ

Telephone Number: 03301 651 333 or 03301 651 070
Email: [email protected]

Every day visit is different and tailor made to your school/pupils needs and what you want to be focusing on and learning about. Depending on the day visit you book we will work with you so you know what to expect from your planned visit.

On the day of your visit you will need to bring:

  • Lunch for all children and adults

River Day

  • Suitable clothing for the children
    • Waterproof jackets
    • Welly boots (as well as the shoes that they will wear to the Centre). We have some spare wellies. Email the Centre before your visit to let us know the size and number of your boots that you would like to borrow.
    • Spare socks (even in welly books many children will still get their feet wet!)
    • Sun hats
    • Spare trousers/leggings if there has been a lot of rainfall, or if you have children who could be rather lively in the river.

Nature Day

  • Suitable clothing for the children
    • Waterproof jackets
    • Welly boots (as well as the shoes that they will wear to the Centre). We have some spare wellies. Email the Centre before your visit to let us know the size and number of your boots that you would like to borrow.
    • Spare socks (even in welly books many children will still get their feet wet!).
    • Sun hats.
    • Spare trousers/leggings if there has been a lot of rainfall, or if you have children who could be rather lively in the river.

Settlements Day

  • Suitable clothing for the children
    • Waterproof jackets
    • Welly boots (as well as the shoes that they will wear to the Centre). We have some spare wellies. Email the Centre before your visit to let us know the size and number of your boots that you would like to borrow.
    • Sun hats.

Victorian Day

  • Suitable clothing for the children
    • Waterproof jackets.
    • Sun hats.
    • Victorian outfits if you choose (the Centre's teacher will dress up).

World War II Day

  • Suitable clothing for the children
    • Waterproof jackets.
    • Sun hats.
    • WWII outfits if you choose (the Centre's teacher will dress up).

For more information please visit our FAQ page or contact our friendly team.

Contact us here!

Feedback and testimonials

An immersive, exciting day, packed full of historical artefacts and buildings, as well as excellent opportunities. The children gained so much knowledge and lots of fun.

Victorians day visit
Shipbourne Primary School, January 2022.

The children had the opportunity to learn above and beyond the curriculum content in a fun and engaging way. Weeks later, the children are still talking about what they have learnt and are now looking forward to their next experience which is booked for a few weeks’ time. Thank you so much.

Electricity, energy and the environment workshop study day
Horizon Primary Academy, February 2022

Fabulous organisation, a wonderful experience to launch our Rivers topic with science, geography and DT thrown in for good measure.

Rivers study day
Platts Heath Primary School, February 22.

Rocking around Britain is a highly anticipated day in Year 3 and each year the children really look forward to it. This year was no exception to the rule and Andrew yet again delivered a fantastic day of learning, which left every child excited, desperate to share and talking of nothing else. We can’t wait for next year!

Rock day
Holmewood House Prep School, February 2022

Absolutely immersive experience.

World War II day visit
Cecil Road Primary School, March 2022.

Brilliant day, the children learnt a great amount in a fun and engaging way. The children continue to link their current learning back to the experience day and often mention how much they enjoyed the day and how great Mr Berry was!

States of matter workshop
Horizon Primary Academy, March 2022.