Our 2017 Countryside Days for Schools event will take place on 14th and 15th June and we will be welcoming children from over 50 primary schools to the Estate.

Our Estate staff turn the House, deer park and village into an impressive classroom, running interactive workshops, demonstrations and topical based learning for children aged between five and 11.

Primary schools across Berkshire receive an invitation for the two-day event. The aim of the initiative is to help local children to learn about the workings of a modern rural Estate, including building, farming, horticulture, forestry and countryside management, - inspiring young minds and informing them of current working practices.

Participants will also learn about the history of the house and the people that have lived on the Estate over many generations.

Event organiser, Tina Haynes said: “Plans and preparations for the event are well underway and we are looking forward to welcoming the children to the Estate.

“We hope that the children will find the event both enjoyable and educational, and that they will understand more about the countryside they see every day.”

The Countryside Days for Schools concept was inspired by the father of current Estate owner, Richard Benyon. Sir William wanted local schools to learn more about the Estate and what is involved in making the countryside a great place to live, work and enjoy.

Richard Benyon said: “The first schools days event was held in 1997 and we are so proud to see children still enjoying the event today.

“We hope that each child learns something new and enjoys a new experience, having a lesson entirely different to those they get in the classroom.”

Ms Prentice, a year six teacher at Falkland Primary School said: “We have been taking our upper junior children to the Countryside Days for Schools for many years and each year the event gets better. 

“It is a fantastic opportunity for the children to see a working estate in action. In addition, there is always a vast and varied range of interactive exhibits and demonstrations relating to many areas of the curriculum.  At the end of the day, the children always come away having had a unique and fascinating experience.”