RSPB Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve Outdoor Education Centre

Newport Wetlands is a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located between the Severn Estuary and the River Usk on the South Wales Coast. As a visitor centre and education site, we are a great choice for outdoor learning and host various sessions run by our RSPB education team. In addition to the reserve itself, which has reedbeds, lagoons and woodland habitats, Newport Wetlands has nature based play equipment, pond-dipping platforms and an indoor classroom which can be used as a base for talks, lunch, and to safely store bags during your visit.

Newport Wetlands is an excellent place to become immersed in nature, with curriculum-linked sessions to engage all ages and abilities. Sessions are varied allowing pupils to work scientifically using technical vocabulary in context. Learning outdoors is also a great way to build resilience and confidence through interactive activities. Ideas and resources for further learning following the trip are all easily accessed on our website.

We have the CLOtC Quality Badge.

We have sessions suitable for all ages from EYFS to A’Level and University students. Our website lists all the RSPB sessions available on our reserve. The Learning Officer is available to support you when making your session choices and will put together a programme for your visit.

Sessions for primary age groups include Minibeast hunts, Pond-dipping, Brilliant Birds and Living Things and their Habitats. For Secondary and beyond, pupils can explore fieldwork techniques, investigate water-quality through invertebrate sampling or explore biodiversity.

Lessons are delivered to group sizes of up to 30. However, we have the outdoor setting and resources available to facilitate more than one group at a time and therefore classes can be spilt to accommodate larger groups.

We use our RSPB age appropriate resources and equipment to support our curriculum linked sessions. See the session outlines on our website.

We also have a wealth of teacher resources and ideas to continue your learning journey with us. You will find more information on our website.

Schools are welcome to take photographs of their own children.

A generic risk assessment is available on the website.

Please contact our Learning Officer using the email above.

Each programme is designed to last up to two hours; sessions run in the morning and afternoon which also means two programmes can be combined to make a whole-day visit. Default timings are 9:45 to 11:45 and 12:15 to 2:15, these can be adjusted to suit transport arrangements.

Full details of pricing can be found on our website.

Our sessions take place outdoors using different parts of the reserve. We recommend students are dressed appropriately for the weather. This may be waterproof boots and raincoats, or it may be sunhats and sunblock cream.

Although RSPB staff are first aid trained (to Appointed Persons status and will carry a basic first aid kit) visiting schools should have a qualified first aider accompanying the group.

There is a café serving hot and cold food and drinks, a shop, toilets and education room in the Visitor Centre. We recommend that pupils bring their own packed lunch. The education rooms or outside at the picnic area will be available for the group at lunch time. There is also nature based play equipment on site.

We have a purpose-built Visitor Centre on site with accessible toilets all areas are accessed via ramps. Please make us aware of any additional needs at the time of booking so we can discuss necessary arrangements or adaptations to ensure full accessibility.

The Visitor Centre is open from 9am – 5pm all days apart from Christmas day.

“Outstanding introduction to my new topic – the children were immersed in their learning and I will be able to draw on their experiences for a series of lessons.”

“Amazing as always, well trained staff, excellent facilities and fabulous setting with educational activities. What more could you want?”