May 2021 Update: We are sorry to say that we are not taking bookings for school and group visits before September 2021.
Having given careful consideration to the logistics of hosting group visits with the current requirements to keep everyone safe on site, we have decided we do not have the resources to offer group visits at this time. We apologise for any disappointment caused but safety must always be our priority.
We are confident that we will be able to safely resume group visits after the summer holidays. For now you can read the information below to find out more on what we have to offer once we resume group visits again.
Having given careful consideration to the logistics of hosting group visits with the current requirements to keep everyone safe on site, we have decided we do not have the resources to offer group visits at this time. We apologise for any disappointment caused but safety must always be our priority.
We are confident that we will be able to safely resume group visits after the summer holidays. For now you can read the information below to find out more on what we have to offer once we resume group visits again.
EDUCATIONAL FARM TOURS
Our year-round farm tours are hugely popular with school groups (including kids clubs and home-schools), offering an in-depth, hour-long tour of the farm led by an experienced teacher. The tour can be tailored to meet the needs of the group or a particular aspect of a curriculum. Some examples of our most popular tours are given here, and we’re happy to combine elements from different tours to create a bespoke visit. Click the [+] to read about each tour.
Our year-round farm tours are hugely popular with school groups (including kids clubs and home-schools), offering an in-depth, hour-long tour of the farm led by an experienced teacher. The tour can be tailored to meet the needs of the group or a particular aspect of a curriculum. Some examples of our most popular tours are given here, and we’re happy to combine elements from different tours to create a bespoke visit. Click the [+] to read about each tour.
1. Food and Farming tour
Available all year round, this is the most popular tour we offer, covering topics such as the different growing seasons, sustainability, crop life cycles, farm machinery, history of farming, healthy eating and the large-scale production of food.
2. Growing Fruit and Veg
The perfect tour for summer and autumn, we cover some of the general farming topics from the ‘food and farming’ tour, with particular focus on visiting the fruit and vegetables growing on the farm at the time. This gives an in-depth insight into food production, nutrition and healthy eating. Groups often add the 'Pick Your Own Fruit' activity onto this tour (see below) to add a hands-on learning experience.
3. Herbs, Plants and TREES
A tour especially suited to spring time, or for those wishing to understand the growing of plants, their life-cycle and how to care for them. Visitors will also gain sensory experience with the smell and feel of different herbs and plants. Groups often add the 'Grow Your Own Veg' activity onto this tour (see below) to add a hands-on learning experience.
4. ChickenS and Eggs
A firm favourite amongst the younger children, we go inside the farm’s hen coup, usually off-limits to farm visitors. Inside the coup we learn all about our hens and how to care for them, as well as their life-cycle. The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to gather eggs from inside the hen house!
We also offer a Tractor and Trailer tour in addition to the above walking tours. The tractor can only run in fine weather and so this tour is subject to availability. If you would like to express your interest in a tractor tour please do so when booking, and provided the conditions are right we will run the tractor tour in addition to your walking tour.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
Our hands-on experiences offer the chance to 'learn through doing' and are particularly memorable for the children. The availability of these activities is seasonal and to enjoy our heavily discounted group rates they must be done in conjunction with an educational tour* (see above). Click the [+] to read about each activity.
Our hands-on experiences offer the chance to 'learn through doing' and are particularly memorable for the children. The availability of these activities is seasonal and to enjoy our heavily discounted group rates they must be done in conjunction with an educational tour* (see above). Click the [+] to read about each activity.
pick your own fruit
It's what we're famous for! Visit our fruit fields in summer and autumn and pick whatever's available with your own hands. Every child will get chance to pick a punnet of their own produce to take home and enjoy. A great way to learn how different crops grow and to encourage healthy eating.
Grow Your Own Veg
Experience hands-on planting of vegetables, herbs or flowers in our plant centre in spring. With the help of an experienced gardening professional, every child will get chance to plant their own produce to take home, watch grow and enjoy the harvest. This teaches a number of lessons including the science behind the plant life-cycle, caring for living things and patience!
PUMPKIN PICKING
It's our busiest time of year, with thousands of pumpkins, muddy fields and grinning children! Subject to availability, school groups can book in during the first two weeks of October to come pumpkin picking and/or carving. Children can pick their own pumpkin from our outdoor patch or indoor display, and can chose to carve it here at the farm and leave the mess with us!
WHEN CAN WE VISIT?
Groups are welcome to visit at any time of year. The calendar below indicates when the different tours and activities are available. Please note that all are subject to seasonal variability. We advise booking as far in advance as possible - our tours are often fully booked several weeks in advance.
Groups are welcome to visit at any time of year. The calendar below indicates when the different tours and activities are available. Please note that all are subject to seasonal variability. We advise booking as far in advance as possible - our tours are often fully booked several weeks in advance.
Month |
Farm Tours |
Pick Fruit |
Grow Veg |
Pumpkins |
Jan |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
Feb |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
Mar |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
Apr |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
May |
YES |
- |
YES |
- |
Jun |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
Jul |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
Aug |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
Sep |
YES |
YES |
- |
- |
Oct |
YES |
- |
- |
YES |
Nov |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
Dec |
YES |
- |
- |
- |
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We strive to make educational group visits affordable, to encourage as many people as possible to learn about food and farming. We also try to charge fairly for groups based on their size and age of participants. Please click here for our School Visit Price List.
We strive to make educational group visits affordable, to encourage as many people as possible to learn about food and farming. We also try to charge fairly for groups based on their size and age of participants. Please click here for our School Visit Price List.
HOW DO WE BOOK?
Click here to download a booking form. Once completed please email it to: kenyonhallvisits@gmail.com
Click here to download a booking form. Once completed please email it to: kenyonhallvisits@gmail.com
READ ABOUT OUR EDUCATION CREDENTIALS
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Farmer Tod Bulmer started giving educational tours of the farm in the 1980s to adult groups such as the WI and to occasional school classes. A natural (loud) speaker, these days Tod gives talks on the history of the farm and farming in general to various societies who invite him to speak. With over 50 years of farming experience there aren't many questions he can't answer and you might get the chance to pick his brain as he drives you round the farm on his tractor and trailer!
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Farmer Tod Bulmer
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Kathryn teaching how to grow pumpkins.
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Kathryn Green has over 30 years of teaching experience, particularly in subjects such as geography, communication, teacher training and provision for people with learning difficulties.
After retiring from teaching in 2011 she joined us to work in the plant centre, but soon got involved in helping out with school visits to the farm. Kathryn has now led hundreds of school visits, which have grown in popularity every year, with over 1300 children coming to the farm in 2019 on an official school trip. Kathryn liaises with school teachers in advance of their visit to ensure her guided tour is tailored to meet the curriculum needs and learning styles of the children. School visits can cover any aspect of food, farming and the natural environment, with the most popular visits coming in summer and autumn when the children can pick their own fruit or vegetables! |
Simon (left) and James (right)
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Simon Bulmer grew up at Kenyon Hall and spent much of his youth working on the farm. During the 2010s he moved to Cumbria and qualified as a primary school teacher, gaining nine years of experience in this vocation.
He returned to the farm in 2020 as horticultural manager but is keen to get involved in our educational offerings. Given his recent in-school experience, he will be a welcome addition to our learning team! |
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