Growing knowledge on the Woodhall Estate

30 May 2025

Children looking at a tractor with Farm Manager Rob Fox

Hundreds of children found out all about food, farming and the countryside when they visited Woodhall Estate in Hertfordshire.

The estate hosted two days of activities in May, organised with education charity Countryside Learning for around 400 children from local schools.

Activities included bug hunting for insects, finding out all about sheep and deer, forming anagrams from the first letters of animals and plants, a talk on falconry, and learning all about different crops with Farm Manager Rob Fox.

Countryside Learning Chief Executive Officer Gary Richardson said: “We have been working with the Woodhall Estate for 15 years, starting off in a small way. It’s very much a partnership with our staff, estate staff and organisations such as the British Deer Society involved.

“The aim is to arrange interactive sessions and to make it fun. After lockdown, pupils are still dealing with issues such as a low attention span and some have little connection with the natural environment. They can gain so much from an event like this.”

Nick Fox, Wildlife, Environment and Forestry Manager at Woodhall Estate, said: “We are hosting hundreds of children over the two days and they will all get something out of it. There is something for everyone in the countryside.

“I think it’s important for all of us involved in food and farming to stand up and show how important this all is.”

Teacher Jess Tucker from Welwyn St Mary’s Primary School said: “Our Year 5 children had a super day at Woodhall Country Estate. The activities were well planned and resourced and the children learned so much throughout the day. 

“Thank you to all the team. We will definitely attend again next year.”

As well as its work with Countryside Learning, Woodhall Estate organises Discovery Days for local schools during the summer, with children visiting wildlife and nature areas on the estate. It also organises guided walk events for adults and families. More details about education at Woodhall Estate can be found here.

The NFU has launched a campaign for an updated school curriculum that represents British food, farming, and our food security fairly across the education system. Find out more about it. 

Read more on NFUonline


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