St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital Buckinghamshire

Young, old and even teenage students are always excited to visit and we have never failed to interest, educate and amaze groups with the British wildlife that lives around us but is seldom ever seen.

As more people are becoming aware of the wildlife around them and the problems they can get themselves into, the number of casualties arriving at our door is escalating. We are therefore delighted that we now have somewhere that schools and interested groups can wander around and learn about the specialist wildlife care available only at Tiggywinkles.

With the aid of education boards, teaching staff, a glimpse at some of our wards through glass viewing windows and interactive presentations we hope to teach others how to preserve British Wildlife for years to come.

All the residents in the Visitor Centre are permanent due to disability and would not survive if released back to the wild, therefore they are very happy to live their lives in the safe, comfortable supervised surroundings of the hospital grounds.

The hedgehog memorabilia museum: a mass of hedgehog history viewing the many ways in which hedgehogs have influenced us over the years from Egyptian time to present day. This amazing site is suitable for all ages.

The baby bird and baby mammal viewing area: This is a seasonal section of the Visitor Centre, during spring and summer you can watch our dedicated staff and volunteers care for these orphaned wild babies. Baby birds are fed every fifteen minutes so you can imagine how busy this room will get (the baby area can only be viewed from behind glass.)

We also have a large range of British Wildlife goodies available in our Souvenir shop. All our staff are more than happy to assist you in this sometimes-stressful area! We will assist the children to locate souvenirs to meet their pocket money or alternatively so that you can bypass that area altogether we offer a selection of gift bags that can be prepared for all price ranges boxed and ready for you to distribute when you return to school. This service also ensures that your student’s leave with a selection of suitable wildlife souvenirs and not two mars bars!

cafe: We have a light refreshments cafe serving hot and cold drinks with an outdoor undercover-seated area.

Kids play area and picnic site: Why not take a rest while your younger students let off steam playing in the safe environment of our outdoor play centre.

NEW in 2010 – Red Kite information centre, Red kite flight aviaries and larger classroom area.

For further information visit:www.tiggywinkles.com

If you would like any further information please contact – Tiggywinkles, Aston Road, Haddenham, Bucks, HP17 8AF 01844 292511 mail@sttiggywinkles.org.uk

Tiggywinkles is a unique wild visit suitable for all ages. Our experienced and very laid-back staff are happy to cover any area of British Wildlife, rehabilitation and wildlife support to meet your needs in a relaxed friendly style that all children enjoy. You have all the choices, then step back and we will do all the work.

To start our wild adventure your tour guide will meet you outside our centre and briefly talk to your group about the workings of Tiggywinkles, this includes a very quick quiz to clarify what is British wildlife? you will be surprised how many children will answer and it help to put them at ease for an enjoyable interactive visit. Larger groups will be divided up to allow our tour guides to get to know the group and allow everyone a turn to answer or ask a question.

The guided part of your visit includes an interactive slideshow, hedgehog and wildlife garden talk and a meet the keeper style talk with either the fox enclosure or new in 2010 the red kite flight aviaries.

After we are finished with this part of your visit you are still left with many other options to enjoy at your own speed. The remaining areas of the visitor centre are yours to explore including our remaining gardens, paddocks and ponds, picnic and play area, hedgehog memorabilia museum, baby bird and mammal viewing windows, gift and souvenir shop and new in 2010 our red kite information centre.

During this section of your visit please do not feel abandoned we will still be on hand if you need us to answer any questions and offer a hand to make sure your visit runs as smoothly as possible.

We also offer (at a small additional cost) activity sheets- these need to be completed on site as the answers are on the boards around our centre and are set between reception and KS2. Or wild art and craft we offer a large selection of art and craft from colouring to clay. The art and craft options are organised and run by our staff so you can again step back and relax (or organise the endless toilet trips!)

Please note that the majority of our visitor centre is outside and everyone needs to be dressed accordingly. This could be sun block and hats or waterproofs and gloves! Except for the play field all other areas are solid path and therefore wellington boots should not be necessary.

We feel that our visits offer a very wide selection of the curriculum covering nearly all topics however we are happy to try anything! If you have an area that you would like us to cover tell us when booking and we will do our best. Of coarse you can opt for no tour guide and have a quiet independent visit please visit our web site for opening times and costs.

Group sizes – 2010 group sizes are 1 – 75 including staff and helpers however this should increase in 2011.

All larger schools are split up into groups no larger than 25 to provide a more personal interaction and encourage full group participation.

Photography – all amateur photography and filming is welcomed.

Please contact: 01844 292511 Monday – Friday between 10am – 4pm to reserve a date. We will then send you an information pack with a complimentary ticket to use for a risk assessment visit or enclosed will be our risk assessment statement.

All our team are trained and experienced in teaching wildlife rehabilitation topics to all ages.

Groups where the majority of the group are under 6yrs (this includes infant Year 1 students) or over 65yrs

25 people or less £85.00

26 – 35 people £95.00

36 – 50 people £140.00

51 – 60 people £170.00

61 – 75 people £200.00

75 – 100 people £270.00

Groups where the majority of the group are between 6yrs (infant Year 2 and above) and 65yrs

25 people or less £95.00

26 – 35 people £115.00

36 – 50 people £155.00

51 – 60 people £185.00

61 – 75 people £235.00

75 -100 people £310.00

We have a full team of qualified first aiders permanently on site.

Please call to be advised of parking area and drop off areas. The visitor centre is completely accessible to wheelchairs however the play area is on grass and therefore can be difficult for small wheeled wheelchairs.