Magdalen Farm Residential Environmental Centre Dorset

At Magdalen Farm, we provide an immersive adventure 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.

Trips can include activities that 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 young people 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, light 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.

• Low ropes
• Campfire
• Outdoor playing field
• Zip wire
• Climbing frame
• Pizza oven
• Woodland area
• Rope swing
• River access

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 can accommodate a range of group sizes. We have two buildings of accommodation; our Old Dairy Accommodation holds 40 and our Farmhouse accommodation holds 30. We can accommodate larger groups using both buildings.

We have two accommodation buildings, our Old Dairy and Farmhouse. The Old Dairy is our larger accommodation with dormitory-style rooms with single or bunk beds. Rooms have a shared bathroom and shower facilities. There is a gold standard changing place that can also be used. The rooms have direct access to a large dining room.

The Farmhouse is typically used by smaller groups which has eight dormitory style bedrooms with shared bathrooms. The Farmhouse also has shared spaces in a kitchen and living room. This building works well for groups coming to stay with us as it has a great homely feel.

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

You are welcome to take photos and videos of their group in accordance with their media policy

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

Prices are based on per child, per night.

Prices can increase in line with inflation

Adults come for free. A minimum ratio of 1 adult to10 children is needed.

All members of the Education team are qualified first aiders.

• Shop
• Indoor and outdoor dining areas
• Shared bathrooms/ shower rooms
• Disabled access toilet
• Gold standard changing place
• Free Wi-Fi
• Outdoor playing field
• 3 Tramper all-terrain wheelchairs

Our residential visits are catered for by our fantastic, experienced kitchen staff who prepare all meals onsite. When possible, they will use ingredients gathered from our vegetable gardens on the farm. Allergies and intolerances are well catered for.

Self-catering groups will have access to the kitchen attached to their accommodation to prepare and cook their own meals.

We welcome residential visits from 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 week while groups can book for school holidays and some weekend visits.

“Our school had absolutely no green space, so this trip is an incredible experience for our pupils – to have this level of freedom in nature is exactly what they need to thrive.” Class teacher.

“They’ve eaten everything, they’ve done everything, they got stuck in!” Residential school trip Lead.

“The activities were coordinated and delivered at an exceptional level. Adaptable to children’s needs, went above and beyond. Very informative and fantastic accommodation.” Year 5 Class teacher, on their class’s residential experience.

Our site is on the Somerset and Dorset border on the banks of the River Axe.

We are 20 minutes from the famous Jurassic Coast, the perfect spot to hunt for prehistoric fossils on the beach.