Nettlecombe Court Outdoor residential Centre Williton Somerset Field Studies Council

FSC offers fieldwork and outdoor learning for groups of all ages at centres across the UK. Trips use our stunning locations to teach curriculum focused work and inspire everyone about the environment.

Primary field trips enable you to pick and choose from a range of exciting adventure or curriculum sessions to build your own trip. Visits to FSC Flatford Mill will immerse primary school children in the natural world, taking in its sights, sounds and smells.

For secondary and A level groups we offer geography, biology and environmental science courses. FSC can tailor courses to your own requirements to ensure you get the most from your visit and trips utilise the local environment to fully engage students.

Bring your subject to life in the outdoor classroom!

FSC Nettlecombe Court has excellent access to the Somerset coast as well as Exmoor National Park and The Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit for fun outdoor activities, geography and biology trips at all ages.

FSC Nettlecombe Court is a stunning mansion house in large grounds including heritage parkland and ancient woodland.

Excellent access to a range of field sites at the Somerset coast, Exmoor National Park and The Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Our courses are created carefully to link to curriculum requirements. We can work with you to tailor content to fit in with work back in the classroom.

We have passionate and experienced teaching staff.

FSC take care of everything once you arrive; comfortable accommodation, all your meals (residential visits) plus transport during the course.

We offer different price bands through the year to offer value for money.

There is an FSC Kids Fund and FSC Bursary Fund available to offer financial support to those who may not otherwise be able to visit us.

FSC Nettlecombe Court is part of FSC, an environmental education charity with 75 years’ experience of providing fieldwork and outdoor learning and a network of UK centres offering day and residential fieldwork opportunities.

Our charity works in many other ways to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment including through projects working in local communities and lobbying government to include fieldwork in the curriculum.

• LOtC
• AALA

Students will look at a variety of plants and common animals using age appropriate classification keys to identify living things we find in our woodland and in our pond habitats.

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs. A day filled with team building and problem solving activities.

We can offer a range of biology courses from KS2 to curriculum-based A level trips. KS2 pupils can look at a range of habitats, learning about microhabitats and how they provide the basic needs for living things. Pupils can learn to identify the different structures of plants and name a variety of common animals. We will mini beast hunt and observe them in their microhabitats.

We offer a range of sessions and courses covering human geography through fieldwork. Most sessions have short classroom sessions before and after. Teaching is delivered by fully trained and experienced tutors.

We can offer a range of geography courses from KS2 to A level. KS2 pupils can use maps, stories and games to explore the woods. Discover the plants and animals that live here and design and build dens.

We offer a range of sessions and courses covering environmental geography through fieldwork. Most sessions have short classroom sessions before and after. Teaching is delivered by fully trained and experienced tutors.

We offer a range of sessions and courses covering field studies. For KS4 and A level students we link all of our courses to the exam board requirements for each subject and can tailor the course to your specific needs.

We have a wide range of activities such as:

Primary: minibeast hunt, pond dipping, hiking, low ropes, eco-activity, rock climbing, bushcraft, orienteering

Secondary/A level: geography independent investigations, adventurous geography, river study, biology core practicals

We can cater for groups of varying size. Some courses have a minimum of 10 students. This centre has 120 beds.

FSC courses are created carefully to link to curriculum requirements. We can work with you to tailor content to fit in with work back in the classroom.

We provide a variety of resources to support outdoor learning, on the FSC website.

A detailed risk assessment for activities and teaching sites is undertaken which forms the basis of a dynamic approach to assessment by trained staff whilst in the field.

Contact our team for latest prices and availability:

01743-852100 or enquiries.nc@field-studies-council.org

FSC prices include: course planning; fully risk assessed teaching sites; accommodation; specialist tutors; teaching resources; fieldwork equipment; classrooms and food. The only thing you need to add-on is transport. We even provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres.

Many of our visiting groups take advantage of our off-peak prices between November and February. Between November and February, courses start at just £10 per primary pupil and £22 per secondary student for day courses.

We are always looking for ways to make FSC trips affordable for all schools. As well as off-peak pricing we work with project funders, and we distribute Grants for Schools to enable access to outdoor learning for everyone.

Please contact us regarding your needs, although we provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres.

All field teachers are trained in first aid and group management.

Car Parking: There are limited parking facilities available at the centre.

Catering: Self-catering is also considered upon specific request.

Children’s Facilities: We are an Educational Centre and have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome.

Common Room: There is a student common room at Nettlecombe Court, with facilities for watching television, use of a pool table, football table and some video games machines.

Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.

Kitchen: Fully catered services for all dietary needs available, as well as packed lunch making services.

Linen: All bedding is provided, but you will be required to bring your own towels.

Lounge: We have an adult lounge area with comfy sofas.

Outdoor Clothing: You can hire wellingtons, waterproof trousers and coats

Outdoor Facilities: Extensive range of on-site and off-site activities.

WIFI: Free guest WIFI is available through-out the centre.

Workrooms: We have five workrooms and all have interactive whiteboards and WiFi access. We also have a computer room and have access to laptops and tablet computers for all educational groups.

We have one accessible en-suite bedroom on the first floor.

By Car/Coach From the M5: * Follow the A358 (from Taunton) or the A39 (from Bridgewater) to Williton and then the A39 towards Minehead. * After approximately 1 mile at Washford Cross roundabout (beside the radio masts/Tropiquaria) take the 1st exit onto the B3190 (signposted towards Wiveliscombe/Monksilver). * After approximately ¾ mile turn left onto the B3188 (signposted Wiveliscombe/Monksilver/Combe Sydenham). * Follow the B3188 into the hamlet of Woodford (approximately 1 mile) and turn right onto Nettlecombe Park Road. * After a short while there is a turning to the right signposted to Nettlecombe Court. From Minehead: follow the A39 towards Williton. * At Washford Cross roundabout (beside the radio masts/Tropiquaria) take the 3rd exit onto the B3188 (signposted Wiveliscombe/Monksilver). * After approximately ¾ mile turn left onto the B3188 (signposted Wiveliscombe/Monksilver/Combe Sydenham). * Follow the B3188 into the hamlet of Woodford (approximately 1 mile) and turn right onto Nettlecombe Park Road. * After a short while there is a turning to the right signposted to Nettlecombe Court. COACHES – Please note that it is not advisable to approach the centre on the B3188 from the south as directed by Sat Nav (via Monksilver/Elworthy) For those using a Sat Nav, Nettlecombe Court’s postcode is TA4 4HT.

By Train The nearest station is Taunton (15 miles). There are regular buses from the station to Williton, but you will need to get a taxi for the final section to the centre.

FSC has developed links with First Travel Solutions (FTS), and we recommend them as a coach travel provider to help reduce the cost of transport for academic groups to our Centres. FTS provide a fully supported, UK wide school travel service, providing a dedicated contact for each coach booking from the initial contact through to tracked delivery with 100% security on all deposits paid. If you would like to receive a quote from First Travel Solutions please enquire here.

apacity: All of our accommodation is in one building and altogether we are able to accommodate approximately 120 people. This is spread across two single bedrooms, three twin rooms and 18 dormitory rooms which vary in size from 4-12 beds. 11 of the 23 rooms are en-suite and there are four other designated bathrooms.

Contact our team for latest prices and availability:

01743-852100 or enquiries.nc@field-studies-council.org