Magdalen Farm Environmental Centre Dorset

At Magdalen Farm Environmental Centre in Dorset, we provide an immersive experience on our 132-acre organic working farm. Our unique offer lies in our approach, where students don’t just observe nature- they participate in it. Visitors can taste test homegrown produce from the garden, spend time caring for our farm animals or conduct hands-on fieldwork on the River Axe

We offer tailored itineraries to groups to suit their focus and the needs of the young people visiting. Each trip is unique to the group attending and provides each visitor to the farm a space where they can discover the potential of the outdoors.

Visits can have a curriculum led focus, mapped to the curriculum from Key Stage 1 to 4. Using the river and nature reserve for practical based learning. Groups can also get stuck into farm life through animal care activities or take part in group activities encouraging teamwork and communication skills. Whether spending time in the woods or fields, each group has hands-on experiences and lasting memories.

Every child, and every class, has a different starting point when it comes to nature and interaction with the environment. Reflecting that, every trip to Magdalen is unique. We don’t have a set programme or agenda of what we want your children to learn- your experiences here will be tailored to the needs of your group. Visitors can immerse themselves in nature and have new experiences on Magdalen Farm. Collecting eggs from the chickens, lighting fires, building dens and trying produce from our garden are experiences that young people visiting us have called trip highlights.

Year after year, we welcome back schools drawn by the experiences we provide and the expertise of our welcoming and friendly education team.

Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge certification

Social Farms and Gardens Green Care Quality Mark (Quality assurance certificate)

Dorset Alternative Provision approved provider

Dorset Family Matters approved provider

We offer a range of outdoor activities for day visits. Groups can pick from our list of activities to suit a particular curriculum focus or more practical skills and sensory options. Activities at Magdalen offer learning and personal development – most schools come to us for both.

Popular activity choices are – Survival in the Wild, River Dipping, Hands on Farming and Eco-Cooking. In these activities, children love to learn about where their food comes from and taste home-grown produce from our fruit and vegetable gardens. Physical and team building activities such as orienteering and the low ropes challenge complement arts, crafts, tree planting, egg collecting and discovering the farm’s amazing wildlife. The climbing frame and zipwire are good for burning off any excess energy, and everyone enjoys the meeting and caring for the farm animals!

For day visits, we can have two classes of up to 70 young people with all activities available for the day. An adjusted itinerary of activities can be created for groups larger than this.

We provide all resources for planned activities here on the farm. Our expert education team will work with you to create an itinerary of activities tailored to each group, before your visit.

Activities at Magdalen can form part of your teaching of the school curriculum from Early Years to Key Stage 4. Activities can be linked to a current curriculum topic, class theme or seasonal activities (e.g. Harvest). We love hosting younger visitors from Pre-schools and Nurseries as well.

You will be able to take photos and videos of your group in accordance with your media policy.

We provide a full suite of Risk Assessments, including visiting the site and for the activities you choose for your itinerary.

All bookings are made through our Office. Either email hello@magdalen.farm or phone the office on 01460 30144 to enquire.

Prices can increase in line with inflation

Adults are free if included in the ratio of the number of young people

Visitors to the farm need to wear old clothing as they may get muddy while out on the grounds. Waterproofs and wellies are a must. It is best to bring warm layers so that these can be added in case the weather changes.

We would suggest:

• Waterproofs,
• Wellies or appropriate outdoor shoes,
• Spare shoes/clothes to change into,
• Wooly hat and gloves/ sunhat (depending on weather),
• Packed lunch and drinks bottle.

All members of the Education team are qualified first aiders.

• Dining areas
• Toilets
• Disabled access toilet
• Gold standard changing place
• Free Wi-Fi
• Outdoor playing field
• Three all access terrain vehicles available
• Outdoor and indoor spaces to eat packed lunches

We offer day visits to SEND schools and our education team have experience working with SEND students and groups. Activities can be adapted to make them accessible to all. We have 1km of accessible paths around the farm which can be accessed by wheelchairs, but better than that, our three Tramper all-terrain wheelchairs can be used to pretty much go anywhere. The main building is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet and gold standard rating changing place.

All visits are pre-booked with times arranged in advance. School bookings will be in term time during the school week while groups can book term time and school holidays.

“What an amazing trip this was. Thanks to the staff at the farm. It was very educational, eye-opening and therapeutic.” Staff member from a trip for adults with mental health difficulties.

“The farm is very accessible. The staff are brilliant. All the families engaged with the instructor. Even trying various fruits and vegetables which they have never thought they would eat. Our instructor was very knowledge and managed to keep all interested. As a local group we are grateful to be able to visit and invite the families who’d normally be isolated at home. Perfect family get together.” Local SEND support group lead.

“We brought 24 children do Magdalen they had a wonderful time feeding and getting close to the animals. The goats, pigs and chickens were all great for introducing the children to the farm animals. The children also did crafts and really benefited from being able to play outside and be in a natural environment. Thank you, Magdalen, for a lovely trip!” Pre-School visit lead teacher.

We offer a purposeful and nurturing environment for students who find the traditional classroom setting a challenge. Our Alternative Provision focuses on re-engaging learners through hands-on, outdoor education that builds confidence, resilience, and practical life skills. Whether it’s through regenerative farming, animal care, or forest school activities, we offer a tailored approach designed to support emotional well-being and personal growth.