Testwood Lakes Education Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 2-17
ENTRY
from £5
WHERE
Southampton
What it’s like
Woodland, meadow and pond sessions where kids hunt minibeasts, learn fire lighting and try life in a Bronze Age roundhouse.
This is a working education centre rather than a visitor attraction, and it shows in the best way. Groups head out into woodland, meadow and pond habitats to identify minibeasts, and there's a Bronze Age roundhouse on site where kids learn about the natural materials it's built from. For older ones, the Bronze Age role play day goes further, with ancient survival skills and actual fire lighting, which is the bit they'll be telling you about on the drive home.
Younger children get their own strand. The Forest School programme runs for 1.5 to 5 year olds, and Wildlife Tots sessions mix stories, wildlife exploration and nature crafts for a gentler pace. Wildlife Watch then picks things up again for 5 to 15 year olds with discovery and themed craft activities, so there's a route through from toddler to teenager rather than one session trying to fit everyone.
Most of what's on offer here is built for pre-booked school and community groups, though Wildlife Tots is bookable directly by phone or email at £5 a session. Everything needs booking in advance, there's no just turning up. Parking's free in the Education Centre car park, there's a picnic area if you want to make a morning of it, and the site has accessible toilets, baby change and wheelchair access throughout.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 2 to 17, with Wildlife Tots suiting the youngest end
- Booking
- Pre-booked school and community groups
- Parking
- Free parking in the Education Centre car park
- Dogs
- Policy to be determined from site information
- Everything runs on booking, so this isn't a turn-up-and-explore visit
- Wildlife Tots is the one session you can book directly yourself, the rest lean towards school and community groups
- Bring your own picnic, there's a spot on site for it
- Blue badge parking and bike parking are both available alongside the main car park
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Wildlife Tots sessions are £5. Other sessions are aimed at pre-booked school and community groups.
Do we need to book?
Booking is required for everything here. For Wildlife Tots you phone or email direct.
What age is it suitable for?
Activities cover 2 to 17 year olds, with the Forest School programme starting from 1.5 and Wildlife Tots for the younger end.
What do kids actually do?
They explore woodland, meadow and pond habitats, identify minibeasts, and get hands-on in a Bronze Age roundhouse. Older kids can try fire lighting on the Bronze Age role play day.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking in the Education Centre car park, with blue badge and bike parking too.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs or buggies?
The site lists wheelchair access and an accessible toilet, plus baby change facilities.
Can we bring a picnic?
There's a picnic area on site.
Can school groups visit?
School visits and group bookings are part of what they run here.
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