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

We ask Playschemes, Extended Schools Groups and Child Minding Groups of 8 or more to pre-book their visit so we can accommodate them.

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

Family Activities

Guilded walks and activities

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.