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About Cosmeston
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village covers a variety of habitats with over 100 hectares of land and water, some areas designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest protecting the rare and diverse plant and animal species. The Country Park opened to the public in 1978 and gained Local Nature Reserve status in May 2013. Today Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a haven for local wildlife. The site has a large car park with coach bays and disabled parking, café and ice cream parlour, adventure playground area and 3 sets of toilets located off the car park, within the café and at the Medieval Village.
Environmental Education Programme
The environmental education programme offers children a chance to take part and appreciate their natural surroundings while learning about the environment. Activities are led by experienced ranger service staff and if there are particular topics/areas you would like the ranger on the day to cover they will be more than happy to try and help. Activities run for 1 hour, please see below for a list of activities.
For more information, please contact Karen Child / Pauline Hadgraft
Ranger Led Activities
Pond Dipping
Group work, dipping, catching and identifying creatures. Discussion on animal lifecycles, food chains and adapting to the environment.
Bug Hunting
Hands-on investigation into mini-beasts and their habitat. Using nets, pots and shaker sheets the children will be able to discover what’s jumping, crawling and flying around the park.
Habitat Talks
Learn about different habitats and associated wildlife, investigate the interaction of plants and animals and the ways in which animals are adapted to their habitat. (photo Tony Barnes)
Past and Present Land Use
A walk around the east lake with the ranger, who will tell the children all about the history of the country park. Children will be encouraged to use visual identification of the landscape.
Nature Walk
The nature walk and talk activity involves a walk around the east lake. The ranger will tell the children all about the wildlife, plants, trees and habitats.
Den Building
Team building activity, where children are encouraged to work as a small team to build a survival shelter. The session takes place in the woods and each team is provided with basic equipment and guidance.
Orienteering (self-led map reading activity)
There are 3 orienteering routes to choose from depending on how adventurous you are ..... they are perfect for learning map reading skills. Self-led, map reading.
Cosmeston Medieval Village
During the development of Cosmeston Lakes Country Park in 1978, excavations uncovered the remains of a community over 600 years old, and so began a unique archaeological project to restore the village of Cosmeston. The Medieval Village seen today is fully accessible to visitors and set in the year 1350. It was a fascinating time in history as the village had been given a new boost of life by the de Caversham family. The Medieval Village is wheelchair friendly and open 7 days per week.
Historical Educational Tours
At Cosmeston Medieval Village we offer schools and groups the chance to step back in time to see what life really was like for the people, rich and poor, who lived around the manor of Cosmeston. The dedicated team of professional village guides have so much to tell their visitors as they educate and entertain them. Your group can experience a variety of different attitudes and views based around the type of character represented by your costumed guide. Extra activities are offered which can be added to the basic Medieval Village tour. Each of the extra activities run for an additional 20 minutes to the basic tour that lasts 45 minutes. Activities currently offered include:
Village Tours
Take the opportunity to step back in time to see what life really was like. The dedicated team of professional village (costumed) guides have so much to tell their visitors as they educate and entertain them. Activities currently on offer include:
Bread making; Weapons and War; Storytelling.
If there are any specific requirements or topics you would like your guide to cover during your visit we will try our best to accommodate you.
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