Event NewsRun Beaulieu – 12th of OctoberThursday 14th August 2025Learn More
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What we do
Established in 1975, The Countryside Education Trust’s mission is to connect people with the countryside. Forty years ago we were pioneers, but now we are experts! We introduce people to the wonders of the British countryside, rural life and farming. Our expert teaching team tailors national curriculum-based modules to the needs of each school and we have great feedback from our visitors.
Farm Life
We welcome schools all year, with an emphasis on hands-on, outdoor learning. Schools visit for a week, half a week or a day. Residential visitors experience daily life on the farm, collecting eggs from our hens for breakfast, helping with animal feeding and picking their own vegetables from the garden.Wild Life
Based at Home Farm in the New Forest, we also have Treehouses close by in ancient woodland. Blessed by a wonderful position, close to woods, a river, heathland and the sea, we have a variety of habitats on our doorstep and teach a wide range of environmental and bush craft activities.Local Life
Beaulieu village, the historic Palace House and monastery, and the National Motor Museum are all within walking distance. Slightly further afield is Bucklers’ Hard, a historic shipbuilding village, reached by a lovely riverside walk.-
- Schools trips in the forest
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- Pond dipping in the river nearby
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- Bird of prey
The Countryside for Everyone
We run regular playgroups Owlets (0-2), Little Owls (2-4) and Big Owls (4-6). The general public is welcome for family days and we hold a variety of events and courses throughout the year to introduce people to country living, rural crafts and wildlife. Home Farm is perfect for groups of families or friends who want to spend time in the countryside and our Treehouses host truly beautiful weddings.
Upcoming Events
Volunteers: Farm- Police House (Southdowns grazing venue) orchard pruning
26th January 2026
10:30am
Main orchard pruning was completed just before Christmas but our other little remote orchard where our Southdowns sometimes graze now needs seeing too. Not so much to do here so may find some other little jobs around the farm depending on time. Meet us at the farm.
Volunteers: Farm- Fencing/Animal feed
2nd February 2026
10:30am
With wear and tear; all the wet weather and some boisterous animals; we seem to have alot of stock fences that need our attention at the moment. We will help a little with the animal feed and then off to one of the boggy outlying areas of the farm to do the main job of...
Little Owls - Seed Sowing and Farm Fun
5th February 2026
10:00am
Help get our garden ready for Spring. There will be seeds to sow, soil to dig and friendly animals to visit on the farm. Take part in the farm trolley dash, seed sort and other growing games. Please note: Ticket includes one child and an accompanying adult, and we’re unable to accommodate non-participating siblings, regardless of age. We need supervising adults...
Volunteers: Conservation- Coppicing
10th February 2026
10:30am
A different date (Tuesday not Monday). A different venue (Longmead not Hartford) otherwise coppicing is coppicing. This will be our second visit with volunteers to this location. The job is the same but interesting to see a different part of the Beaulieu Estate. Meet at the farm and we will bus from there.
Volunteers: Farm- Long grasses cut back
16th February 2026
10:30am
An annual “favourite” down on the farm, getting out in the front of the residential centre and doing what needs to be done to ensure our lovely display of ornamental grasses will be lovely again. A lot of bending down and hard work but worth it in the summer when the gentle swoosh of grass...