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Make Food, Farming and the Environment Fun... |
Rushmoor is a clean, open air classroom providing memorable days full of fresh air and animals.
Many children could be seeing, smelling touching or hearing farm animals for the first time – an experience we all want them to have in a safe and secure environment so they get the best from it.
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We will do all we can to make your visit run smoothly, as well as being fun, informative, and safe... |
| A day at Rushmoor provides plenty possibilities for follow on work back in the classroom and a great investment in your children's futures – we will give you a quality and value for money experience in a package that includes a guided tour of all the park and animals offering both education and entertainment. |
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Just A Few Things We Can Offer School Visits |
- Safe off road parking
- All visits are accompanied by staff members to explain and introduce animals and their habitats
- Somewhere to leave coats, bags and lunches
- Somewhere dry to eat if it rains…..but also
- Plenty of space and fresh air so bags of space to picnic for when the sun shines
- Hand feeding animals – goats, sheep, ponies, donkeys and small animals
- Bottle feeding lambs in the spring
- Bouncy castle
- Adventure playground
- Tea room for tea, coffee, and ice-cream …and lots more – all locally sourced
- Small gift shop with £1 pocket money spends for those who wish to
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Fun and Learning in the Countryside |
Rushmoor Country Park is a great place to bring children and since there are many many repeat visits, then so do others too!
Why not give us a try. Come along and check it out, just bring some form of school identification and we’ll give you a tour – free of charge.
For an information pack and to find out about all we do for Fun and Learning in the Countryside, then complete our online enquiry form and we’ll get in touch with you.
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Our Parent and Toddler Group runs every Tuesday afternoon from 1.00 till 3.30 and Thursday mornings from 9.30 till 12.00 every week (inc school holidays) till the end of October)
Meet and Play over tea and toast, or coffee and biscuits – not forgetting a drink and a biscuit for the toddlers….play on the toys or meet the animals…sit in the sun……maybe!!
Come and try it out… £5.00 per session per family - two adults of the same family and as many preschool age children as you have – child minders welcome. |
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For celebrating special occasions we also have great days out for general group visits who are not so focused on the educational side of things. So if you just want to bring your nursery group, or care home residents or the local WI or perhaps all your family and friends then we can offer you a day that will bring out the “softie” that is in all of us.
You may just want to come for a cup of tea and a bit of cake in the tea room or lunch or Afternoon Tea without including a visit to the animals – no problem – we can cater for those of you who prefer perhaps to sit and watch the world go by!!
Groups of 10 and over are welcome – please contact us for details and ask for our Group info pack.
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HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION |
It is important you please spend a few moments to read through the following information to ensure your visit to us is enjoyable and safe.
CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT AT ALL TIMES IN ALL AREAS
YOUR CHILD REMAINS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE?
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING THE ANIMALS AND BEFORE CONSUMING ANY FOOD OR DRINK.
CHILDREN UNDER 5 SHOULD BE SUPERVISED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT DURING HAND WASHING TO ENSURE HANDS ARE WASHED THOROUGHLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
- Hot water and soap facilities are in the toilets in the tearoom and at the entrance/exit to the animal areas and 4 antibacterial gel cleansers are located in the park areas. Please note anti bacterial gels are not a substitute for warm water and soap hand wash but are an added measure in hand hygiene. Do NOT rely on them to effectively remove bacteria after handling or feeding animals – they will not do this despite claims made on the gel packaging.
- You need to wash your hands thoroughly after handling animals as some bacteria can transfer from animal to human and cause illness – hand washing removes this risk – guidelines at the washing stations will guide you through the correct procedure.
- All contact with animals by children must be the choice of and closely supervised by the accompanying adult – please ask staff if you need help or assistance
- Expectant mums should not handle sheep or lambs during the lambing season.
- Please use the flat of your hand if you wish to feed any of the animals - I.e. palm held out flat - animals cannot tell the difference between food and fingers until they have tried.- after feeding animals do not handle any food or place hands near mouth until they have been correctly washed – see advice at hand washing stations.
- All our animals are friendly and enjoy a cuddle - do NOT chase them - remember all animals CAN bite - they may nip if frightened or tired. Ask a member of staff if you would like to handle any animal. Do NOT put your fingers through any cages or wire.
- When in Albert’s Hall please check with a member of staff you may enter any of the animal pens - there is a maximum of 2 people to a pen and no entry into the Maternity Wing.
- The ornamental pond area by the Herb Garden is fenced off with entrance gates and “Warning - Deep water signs”. do not allow your children past these signs unless you are with them.
- Stand behind the barriers in front of the Birds of Prey – do not climb on them or over them – they are there for a reason.
- Picnic Benches – sit still and on either side to distribute weight evenly to prevent falling and overbalancing
- The large pond with the goats, chickens and water fowl is fenced and locked off - Pond Walks are made during the day with a member of the park staff - please ask them when the next one is.
- All play areas are unsupervised and for you to use at your own risk. Please ensure your children use the equipment safely and sensibly. A responsible adult must be in attendance at all times.
We reserve the right to disallow children on the equipment if they are behaving inappropriately.
We cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage or injury to persons or property howsoever caused.
Your children and your belongings are YOUR responsibility whilst visiting us.
- Please ask your children to remove their shoes before using the bouncy castle.
- The ride on toys near the tea room are for 5 and under only
- When walking around the park and gardens be aware there are uneven surfaces and muddy areas. Keep to the paths and watch where you put your feet.
- Smoking is permitted outside only.
- In the event of an accident First Aid is available from the Tea room or from our trained First Aiders – please speak with a member of staff.in the first instance – please advise us of any accident however minor.
- Our staff are here to help you enjoy your day, to guide and answer any concerns you have and to assist with the handling and care of the animals. They are not responsible for the care or supervision of your children in your absence.
- We comply with the NFAN Safety Scheme and HSE Best Practice introduced in September 2010 – please ask us if you would like background information on these schemes.
Reviewed and Updated January 2012 |
FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS AND TO COMPLY WITH INSURERS REQUIREMENTS PLEASE OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING WHEN PLAYING ON BOUNCY CASTLE |
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An adult must be in attendance at all times
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Please remove all footwear and any sharp or hard objects from pockets or clothing
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Do not climb or hang from the outside walls or bounce on the front apron
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Children of similar ages to use it at the same time please.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REMOVE ANY CHILDREN WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES
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WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REMOVE ANY CHILDREN WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES - ANIMAL HEALTH AND SAFETY |
We are one of the few animal parks that encourage and permit close up contact with our animals.
We would ask you to remember that Rushmoor is their home and that when entering the park and pens you do so on their terms - REMEMBER ALL ANIMALS CAN BITE
We are happy for you and your children to choose to have contact with our animals but for your own health and hygiene safety please follow our guidelines and controls – see Health and Safety Info
We take great care of all our animals and their well being and safety is of paramount importance.
They are all checked on a twice daily basis to ensure food and water are plentiful.
They are monitored every morning for any sign of illness and again in the evening before being bedded down.
Farrier and veterinary inspections are carried out on a regular basis
Flea, mite and lice infestation is very detrimental to any animals’ health and all our animals are checked daily for any signs.
Our staff are qualified, or working towards qualification in animal husbandry, and would be happy to answer any concerns you may have with regard to animal welfare.
We hope you get as much pleasure from the animals as we do.
Reviewed and Updated January 2012 |
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