Bracken Hall Activities

All activities are free unless otherwise stated.We also have drawing tables situated here, so you can pick up a pencil and create your own work!

For further information contact John Dallas (Museum Officer) tel 01274 584140 or email john.dallas@bradford.gov.uk

Bracken Hall year-round activities

We run a range of activities all year round and the content is tailored to your individual group requirements. The activities listed below are for groups of up to 35 students plus your staff and there are costs per group of £45.00 for a morning or afternoon activity and £55.00 for a full day of activities; 10am to 3pm+. There is a concessions charge of £20.00 for up to 15 students per session.

The sessions, either am or pm, can be selected from:

Stream dipping and I.D – this is dependant on water conditions.
Pond dipping and I.D - Bracken Hall garden, Shipley Glen quarry or on Baildon Moor.
Grassland, woodland and moorland pootering and I.D.
Fossil hunting and I.D – there are two sites on Baildon Moor to visit or choose from.

Tree I.D. trails – Shipley Glen woods, Broadstone Woods and Baildon Bank Woods.
Geography and geology tour of Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor.
Kingfisher walk upstream or downstream – this is dependant on water conditions.
Art and craft activities to suit outdoor weather and any 'theme' planned for the day/weeks events.

Woodland or grassland sculpture using natural objects to create lasting pieces for all to enjoy.

Full day sessions:

Stream dip survey: this involves reading maps to obtain a grid reference, field sketch of the survey site, cross section of stream measuring, observation and turbidity tests, flow rate/water speed tests, indicator animal survey, recording and return of creatures to their habitat.

Stream walk: from the start of Shipley Glen at Salts Bridge to its confluence with the River Aire at Hirst Mill, with a break for lunch.

All group teachers need to have completed a full pre-visit and done all the activities chosen for the visit.

Depending on your choice of activities, you will need to bring the following with you: wellingtons, spare boots or old trainers and a change of clothes and a towel.

ALL tuition, equipment, paper, recording sheets, pencils, clipboards etc are provided as part of the costs.

We hope this is the sort of thing that you'd like to offer to your schools and students on their activity days and please don't hesitate in contacting us about these activities or any others which might help with National Curriculum studies.

Guided Walks

Friday 19 February 2010
Family Guided walk – Shipley Glen and River Aire
3 ½ mile through Shipley Glen, local tracks and trails and into the River Aire valley.
Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Bring along a snack and a drink.

Friday 26 February 2010
Guided walk to Eldwick Switchbacks
5 miles through Shipley Glen and fields, returning through Eldwick and the Gilstead side of the glen. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Friday 19 March 2010
Guided walk to Denso Marston Reserve
5 miles via Baildon Bank, Butler Lane, Brook Hill and return along the River Aire. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Family Activities

Wild Wednesdays
17 February 2010 2- 4pm
Join in with lots of environmental activities. Free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Nature Detective
18 February 2010, 1.30-4.30 on all days
A half-day of wildlife activities for 8 – 12 year old children. Places are limited and must be booked. Ring 01274 584140 for details. There is a small charge, but no adults necessary.

Hedgelaying Demonstration
28 February 2010, 12-5pm
We are hosting a hedgelaying demonstration when our museums wildlife hedge will be laid/layered by two local craftsmen hedgelayers. The demonstration will be all day from 12 noon to 5pm when the museum will be open to the public. The hedgers will be able to answer any questions from our visitors and there will be details and info about the styles, this event and others and all wildlife hedge matters to take away.

Guilded walks and activities

Wednesday 7 & 14 April
Wild Wednesday
Free children’s environmental activities between.
2– 4pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday 8 & 15 April
Nature Detective
A half-day of wildlife activities for families. Places are limited and must be pre-booked. Ring 01274 584140 for details.

Friday 16 April
Family Geology walk
3-4 miles. Back through time in Shipley Glen and Baildon Bank, if we’ve got enough time. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Snack and a drink.

Friday 23 April
Rodley & back
9 miles. Alongside the Leeds and Liverpool canal to Rodley. We return to Shipley by bus and return to Bracken Hall along the canal and through Shipley Glen. Meet at Bracken Hall 10.30am. Bus fare and packed lunch required.

Friday 7 May
Perambulation of the Boundary
8 3/4 miles. Walking all of the Baildon Township boundary. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Saturday 8 May
Dawn Chorus
3 miles. An early morning wander and listen around Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor.
Meet at Bracken Hall at 4am. Bring along a breakfast snack and binoculars if you have them.

Sunday 9 May
Museum Activity day - Woodland wildflower walk
Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor. Meet at Bracken Hall at 2pm for a two hour plant and flower walk.

Friday 21 May
Hawksworth Spring Woods
7.5 miles. A walk over Baildon Moor to Hawksworth Spring Woods. Returning via Baildon and Baildon Bank. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Saturday 22 May
International Biodiversity Day
An afternoon of Family activities exploring local and international Natural History. 2pm to 4pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wednesday 26 May
Wild Wednesday
Free children’s environmental activities between 2 – 4pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday 27 May
Nature Detective
A half-day of wildlife activities for families. Places are limited and must be pre-booked. Ring 01274 584140 for details.

Friday 4 June
Bat Walk and Talk
Meet at Bracken Hall at 8pm for an evening talk and walk with Ian Butterfield from the Forest of Bradford project.

Friday 18 June
Ilkley Moor Crossing
9 miles. Via Ancient sheep enclosure. Returning by train. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Train fare and packed lunch required.

Sunday 20 June
Wildflower and Orchid hunt and walk
Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor. Meet at Bracken Hall at 2pm for a two hour plant and flower walk.

Sunday 4 July
Painting Course – Butterflies & Woodland insects
10.30am – 4.30pm Watercolour painting course led by Susan Stead. Suitable for all abilities. All equipment provided. Cost - £12.00. Places can be booked by ringing
01274 584140

Friday 16 July
Bradford Industrial Museum
9 miles. Along the Leeds and Liverpool canal through Calverley, Ravenscliffe and Fagley woods. Returning to Bracken Hall by bus/train.
Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Bus/Train fare and a packed lunch required.

Friday 30 July
Dragonflies and Tadpole Walk
Family Walk – 3 miles. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Bring along a drink and snack.

Friday 13 August
Denso Marston Nature Reserve
5 miles. Via Baildon Bank, Butler Lane, Brook Hill and return along the River Aire
Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Saturday 14 August
Shipley Glen & Stream Dip
Family Walk & Activity – 2 – 4pm. Bring along wellington boots, towel and spare socks. Meet at Bracken Hall 2pm.

Sunday 15 August
Wildflower meadow and walk
Meet at Bracken Hall at 2pm for a two hour plant and flower walk. Bring along your camera and a magnifying glass

Friday 20 August
Shipley Glen, Dowley Gap and River Aire
Family Walk - 5 miles. Meet at Bracken Hall at 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Friday 3 September
Esholt
10.5 miles. Via Leeds & Liverpool canal, River Aire footbridge, old saw mill to Esholt village. Return along the river and canal. Meet at Bracken Hall 10.30am. Packed lunch required.

Sunday 5 September
Fungi Foray and Walk with the Mid Yorkshire Fungi Group
Meet at 10.30am for a foray at Shipley Glen starting from the Bracken Hall Centre. We will aim to be back to the centre around 1.30pm for lunch and a review of the finds.

Friday 10 September
Bat Talk & Walk
Meet at Bracken Hall at 7pm for another chance to meet Ian Butterfield from the Forest of Bradford project for a talk & walk.

Summer School Holiday Activities for Children

Wild Wednesday from 2 - 4pm Join in with lots of environmental activities. Free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dates are – 28 July and 4, 11, 18 and 25 August and 1 September.