At Greswold, we realise that for children to retain knowledge, skills and understanding, they may need to experience learning within a different or real-life context. This is the reason we use theme days, educational visits and residential visits to help supplement our Curriculum Offer and to embed those learning connections.
The teaching staff are skilled at using elements of our local environment to enable children to relate their own experiences to what they are learning at school and this is the reason for designing a website page dedicated to bridging that gap between school learning and learning at home. This page offers Greswold families information about places to visit which in turn will provide pupils with a different context in which to apply, develop and embed their learning.
Sheldon Country Park
Address: Sheldon Country Park, Ragley Drive, Church Rd, Birmingham B26 3TU
Description: Sheldon Country Park is a great example of a “countryside in the city” experience with trees, flowers and a farm right next to a busy airport. The seventeenth century Old Rectory Farm, a former dairy farm within the park, has been superbly restored and now functions as a Demonstration Farm showcasing traditional methods of farming.
The Country Park sits alongside Birmingham International Airport and there is a viewing point on to the runway for aircraft enthusiasts.
Curriculum link: Nursery – Farms and animals, Year 1 History – Transport
Cost or free: Free
Birmingham Science Park
Address: 1 Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG
Description: The Science Garden offers an adventurous and entertaining day out, bringing themes of engineering, mechanics and transportation to life through over 30 hands-on exhibits.
Curriculum link: Science – All year groups
Cost or free: £3 each after 4pm, otherwise part of Think Tank admission price
Kingsbury Water Park
Address: Bodymoor Heath Ln, Sutton Coldfield B76 0DY
Description: Kingsbury Water Park has 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of country park. Stroll along the surfaced paths, explore hidden corners, spot birds and wildlife, hire a bike, join an organised event or host your own event.
Curriculum link: Year 2 Science – micro-habitats
Cost or free: Parking charge only
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Address: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH.
Description: Part of the museum has now reopened. Open spaces include the iconic Round Room, Industrial Gallery, 'Birmingham: Its People, Its History' galleries, the tearoom and museum shop. Plus, new displays include our new family gallery 'Wild City', and 'The Elephant in the Room' gallery.
Curriculum link: Art & Design – All year groups, Y1 Year 1 & Year 5 History – local history, Year 4 Geography – local area,
Cost or free: Free
The Royal Airforce Museum Midlands, Cosford
Address: Lysander Ave, Cosford, Shifnal TF11 8UP
Description: The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands is a free museum dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force in particular. The museum offers a fun, award-winning day out for all the family. Visit the National Cold War Exhibition with its eye-catching architecture and design. Discover Cold War stories in immersive Hotspots; explore thrilling displays of aircraft, iconic cars, models, tanks and even life-sized Russian dolls. Marvel at the world’s oldest Spitfire and several other classic aircraft in the War in the Air Hangar.
Curriculum link: Year 6 – WW2, Year 1 – Transport
Cost or free: Free
Parkridge Visitor Centre
Address: Brueton Park, Warwick Rd, Solihull B91 3HW
Description: The Parkridge Centre and its 5.5 acre nature area offer a tranquil setting for environmental education and information, plus a wide variety of nature conservation events and activities throughout the year.
Curriculum link: Year 2 Science – Micro-habitats
Cost or free: Free
Transport Museum, Wythall
Address: Chapel Ln, Wythall, Birmingham B47 6JA
Description: The museum is home to over 90 buses. They are also home to the largest collection of battery electric road vehicles, including over 30 electric milk floats and bread vans from operators such as the Co-op, Midland Counties and Birmingham and Handsworth Dairies. They also have three large display halls, interpretative displays, Kids Kabin Activity and Soft Play Area, a cafe and shop, a picnic area plus free parking!
Curriculum link: Year 5 D&T – Controllable Vehicles, Year 1 History – Transport
Cost or free: Cost – family tickets available for £20 or less.
The Lapworth Museum of Geology
Address: Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT
Description: The Lapworth Museum of Geology is one of the oldest geological museums in the UK. It was founded in 1880, and is named after Charles Lapworth, the first Professor of Geology at Mason College, the forerunner to the University of Birmingham. The Museum can still be found in the Grade II listed Aston Webb Building, therefore retains its original Edwardian setting and interior. Throughout its long history, the Museum has provided a valuable resource for students, researchers, and anyone with a desire to learn about geology. A visit to the Museum provides insight into how the Earth and its life began and changed through time.
Curriculum link: Year 3 Science – Rocks & Soils
Cost or free: Free
Coventry Cathedral and Blitz Museum
Address: Bayley Ln, Coventry CV1 5RJ
Description: Located in the corner of the Cathedral Ruins, the Blitz Museum is a treasure trove of 1940's memorabilia and artefacts. Visitors will learn more about the Coventry Blitz on 14th November 1940 in our period school room, and will then travel through a typical house of the time and learn more about life in this era from one of our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.
Curriculum link: Year 6 History – World War II
Cost or free: Free
Sarehole Mill
Address: Aston Webb Building, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT
Description: At Sarehole Mill, you can see a functioning (though currently undergoing restoration) historic watermill with its original waterwheel, gears, and grinding stones, explore the Woodland Realm with its sculptures, learn about J.R.R. Tolkien's childhood connection to the area at the Tolkien exhibition, and discover the history of the mill itself, which was used for both metalworking and flour milling. The surrounding park also features a river walk, wildlife, and open green spaces.
Curriculum link: Year 5 History – Victorians, Art & Design – All Year groups, English Literature – Upper Key Stage 2
Cost or free: Free
Birmingham back to Backs – National Trust
Address: 0-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St, Birmingham B5 4TE
Description: The Birmingham Back to Backs are the city's last surviving court of back-to-back houses. They are preserved as examples of the thousands of similar houses that were built around shared courtyards, for the rapidly increasing population of Britain's expanding industrial towns.
Curriculum link: Year 5 History – Victorians
Cost or free: Around £10 for adults and £5 for children. Family tickets available.
National Sea Life Centre Birmingham
Address: The Water's Edge, Birmingham B1 2HL
Description: There's so much to see at the National SEA LIFE aquarium in Birmingham! Dive in and you'll discover. The UK's Only 360° Ocean Tunnel where you can marvel at our sharks, a giant turtle, rays and hundreds of tropical fish swimming overhead and underneath as you walk through the sea in this truly unique experience. Meet the UK's First Sea Otters, Ozzy and Ola, as they settle into our Marine Mammal facility. Penguin Ice Adventure - Marvel at the cheeky antics of our feathered friends, the Gentoo penguins, as they dive beneath the freezing waters and play in their icy home.
Curriculum link: Year 2 Geography – Polar Regions
Cost or free: £19 - £28
Black Country Living Museum
Address: Discovery Wy, Dudley DY1 4AL
Description: Our region is often called the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Our industrial heritage surrounds us everywhere, with lots to explore! A great place to start is our next door neighbour, the Black Country Living Museum. Become immersed in the living history of our area and discover hundreds of years of innovation, invention and plenty of hard work!
Curriculum link: Year 5 History – Victorians
Cost or free: Tickets are around £27 for adults and £15 for children. Family tickets available.
Selly Manor Museum
Address: Maple Rd, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2AE
Description: Made up of two beautiful buildings, Selly Manor Museum is in the heart of Bournville village in Birmingham and has a fascinating history. Step into Selly Manor to discover how the Tudors cooked, dressed and lived over 500 years ago.
Curriculum link: Year 4 History – Tudors
Cost or free: £6 for adults and £4 for children. Family tickets are available.
Tamworth Castle
Address: The Holloway, Tamworth, Staffordshire. B79 7NA
Description: Step back in time and experience life in an intact Norman motte and bailey castle. Explore Tudor and Stuart chambers, Victorian reception rooms and the magnificent late Medieval Great Hall. Discover our new interactive Anglo-Saxon exhibition which tells of the history of Mercia and includes a mead hall and items from the Staffordshire Hoard.
Curriculum link: Year 1 D&T – drawbridges, Year 1 History – Castles, Year 4 History – Tudors, Year 5 History – Anglo-Saxons
Cost or free: Around £12 for adults and £10 for children. Family tickets available.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Address: Millennium Point, Curzon St, Birmingham B4 7XG
Description: Located in Birmingham city centre, Thinktank is the perfect day out for all ages. Explore MiniBrum, our child-sized mini city. Visit our 4K Planetarium where you can journey to the stars! Discover a world of science in our interactive outdoor Science Garden. Learn more about Birmingham’s industrial past and see steam engines, trains, cars and planes from yesteryear. Plus, come face to face with a dinosaur and even more!
Curriculum link: Year 1 themes of Space and Travel, Year 5 Science – Earth & Space, Geography – local studies, Science Harden – all year groups.
Cost or free: Around £17 for adults and £9.50 for children. Family tickets available.
Weoley Castle
Address: Alwold Road, Birmingham, B29 5RX
Description: The fascinating ruins of Weoley Castle date back more than 750 years and reveal the remains of a fortified manor house originally built as a hunting lodge by the Lords of Dudley. Set in the heart of what was once a thousand acre deer park, the grounds extended almost as far as the city centre.
It has long been referred to as a castle – it had a moat, curtain wall, towers, battlements and arrow slits – however, it never had a keep or the defensive position required as it was located in a valley. During the Middle Ages, those who lived nearby would have paid the Lords of Dudley a tithe, or percentage, of their crops as rent for their land; and a regular court was held in the Great Hall to settle disputes between neighbours and punish poachers.
The ruins seen today are believed to date back as far as 1270, making it one of the oldest buildings still visible in Birmingham. As such it was classified as a scheduled Ancient Monument of National Importance in 1934 and a series of archaeological digs in the 1930s and 1950s uncovered a rich collection of historic treasures.
Curriculum link: Year 1 History – Castles, Year 1 D&T
Cost or free: Free
Olton Jubilee Park
Address: Lyndon Rd, Solihull B92 7RQ
Description: Olton Jubilee Park is a sprawling natural area with walking trails, a playground, and a BMX track. It's well-loved by visitors for its ample space and various amenities such as basketball courts and green areas. The park also features a nature reserve and offers beautiful walking trails.
Curriculum link: Curriculum enhancements in Y5 and Y6 – Bikeability
Cost or free: Free
Lego Club at Hobs Moat Library
Address: Lyndon Rd, Solihull B92 7RQ
Description: Test your imagination to see what you can build! Children of all ages welcome. Children under 8 years MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. These sessions run every Saturday morning, 11am - 12pm.
Curriculum link: Design and Technology – All year groups, in particular Y4.
Cost or free: Free