Activities for Schools
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, nestled in the Wensum valley near Fakenham, is a beautiful, peaceful reserve with a rich mosaic of habitats. This accessible reserve, with boardwalks providing easy access for those with wheelchairs, provides lots of opportunities for children to engage with nature and spot some wonderful wildlife. Our activities for schools are linked to the National Curriculum and provide hands-on learning experiences. You can book one of our themed workshops which provide a range of linked activities or contact us to discuss a tailor-made option.
Please note that we offer nature-themed activities in schools or at the Sculthorpe Reserve.
Our Activities for Schools leaflet outlines all our services for schools, including National Curriculum linked workshops for Key Stages 1 and 2, Forest School provision, bespoke activities for secondary schools and outreach sessions.
Our latest education brochure can be viewed here:
For further information contact Victoria Chamberlin, Education and Activities Officer for the Hawk and Owl Trust.
Tel: 01328 856788
Email: Contact Form
Sculthorpe's educational programme is in conjunction with the Heritage Fund
Volunteer at the Sculthorpe Moor Reserve!
Opportunities are always available for potential volunteers. From building, nurturing, and conserving to joining our enthusiastic wardens. Opportunities are also available inside our Visitor Centre, as well as internship and apprenticeship programmes.
In the visitor centre, our volunteers are the first point of contact for visitors. We are interested in energetic and people-focused individuals who can confidently assist with all manner of public queries! If you enjoy talking to people then you will get on fine in this essential reserve role!
Practical ‘hands on’ volunteers are an important cog in the wheel at Sculthorpe Moor. Their hard work includes helping build walkways, hides, vital infrastructure and repairs. Our volunteers also make bird boxes for the Hawk and Owl Trust Adopt-a-Box scheme on-site. It’s a hands-on role that really makes a difference in our conservation efforts!
Volunteer wardens can enjoy a gentle pace around the reserve walkways and hides. This vital role is vital for bridging the gap between the reserve and the public. A warden will get to know the reserve inside out! As a warden, there are even opportunities to help us with our regular wildlife surveys.
The Therapeutic Horticulture Team is a twice-weekly group of volunteers that do fantastic work at the reserve. Together this team have created wildlife havens and habitats all over the reserve, with each session providing variety and fulfilment. The project aims to provide a “green experience” for adults with mild learning disabilities and/or mental health issues, as well as those who may feel lonely or cut off from society.
How to become a volunteer?
If you would like to find out more about volunteering opportunities at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve please contact the Hawk and Owl Trust on 01328 856 788 or contact us through our website. We will be happy to discuss any particular skills that you can bring to the reserve, as well as any areas of interest.
Join the Sculthorpe Moor Reserve’s friendly team, without our volunteers we wouldn’t be the reserve we are today. Our volunteers work together and achieve great things!
With 7 accessible hides, all aspects of the reserve can be enjoyed by visitors. Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts will be able to look out for a wide variety of species as the seasons change including Wading Birds, River Flies, Beavers, Otters and birds of prey (including Hawks and Owls!).
Wildflower surveys at the reserve have noted remarkable species over recent years such as Bog Pimpernel, Early Marsh Orchid and Marsh Lousewort. Throughout the year a number of events are held including guided walks and educational talks. An example of topics covered includes wildflowers, butterflies and moths, dragonflies, fungi, wildlife photography and family events like pond dipping in our wildlife pond.
The Hawk and Owl Trust's Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve opened in 2003. What started as a 12ha site grew into what is now 81ha acres with woodland, waterways, fenland, moorland, wetlands and is still growing! The majority of the reserve is open and accessible to the public, behind the scenes grazing livestock are reared and kept, the reserves staff volunteers work tirelessly on-reserve projects and on producing Adopt a Box boxes, and the Hawk and Owl Trusts headquarters operate at Sculthorpe Moor.
Ongoing projects at the reserve have created an abundance of accessible boardwalks and spaces meaning everyone can come and enjoy Sculthorpe Moor. Buggies, wheelchair and mobility scooter users can enjoy the wide pathways and ramps into our hides. The Dragonfly and wetland hide grant lower level windows that people with wheelchairs can comfortably seat themselves at. (We're listed on Ewan's Guide!)
Continued thanks go to our members, benefactors, supporters, and to the generosity of awards received from the Heritage Fund, Sheringham Shoal and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Like what we do? Become a member and support the work at Sculthorpe Moor.
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Entry:
The Sculthorpe Reserve grants free entry to Hawk and Owl Trust Members (MEMBERSHIP) or non-members entrance is by donation for all those over 16 years. All donations go back into the reserve helping the great work continue!
Opening Hours:
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve is open year-round with the exclusion of adverse weather meaning the reserve isn’t safe for our visitors and a few key dates at Christmas.
The Sculthorpe Visitor Centre reserve opens daily at 9.30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. throughout the year.
Controlled Access to the Car Park
To manage the flow of visitors effectively, we have introduced an automated barrier system for the Sculthorpe car park. The barrier will be open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, aligning with the opening hours of the visitor centre. This controlled access ensures that everyone has a fair chance to park their vehicles and enjoy their visit to Sculthorpe.
Those visitors who enter the car park before 4 p.m. can remain on the reserve up until 8 p.m. each day.
Extended Hours for Members
As a token of our appreciation for our members' support, we are pleased to offer further extended hours exclusively for them. Members with a valid card will have access to the car park and the reserve outside of the regular opening hours. This allows our dedicated members to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Sculthorpe during quieter times and to enter the reserve when the barrier is closed.
The extended hours for members are as follows:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings: 6 a.m. - 9.30 a.m.
Daily: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
We hope that these extended hours provide our members with additional opportunities to connect with nature and experience the diverse wildlife that Sculthorpe has to offer.
Members who would like a card to access our extended hours will need to request a card and contact our membership officer:
By email:
On our website: https://hawkandowltrust.org/about-us-and-contact/contact-us or (as a last resort)
By telephone: 01328 850 598
You will be asked for your name, membership number and postcode.
Joint members will receive one card.
Access cards will be made available and can be collected from the Sculthorpe Visitor Centre after the 1st of November.
Find Us By Car:
Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve can be found off the A148 Kings Lynn Road just outside Fakenham town. The reserve is clearly signposted and a small track will lead you down to our visitor centre and car park.
The car park offers ample parking, and disabled bays and boasts two electric charging points.
By Bus:
The X29 bus stops at the end of Turf Moor Road, from there the reserve is accessible by foot down a small track that will lead you the Sculthorpe Moor Reserve visitor centre.
Cycling:
Cyclists can access the reserve via the A148 Kings Lynn Road. Please note that this road has no cycle lane.
Family and Disability-Friendly Nature Reserve:
Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve is fully accessible. Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams will have easy access to the reserves walkways, hides, and amenities. Baby changing and disabled toilet facilities can be found at the visitor centre.
Assistance dogs are welcome at Sculthorpe (regrettably other dogs are not permitted onto the reserve, there are too many good smells!).
Amenities:
Loos, baby changing, refreshments, disabled parking and electric vehicle parking can all be found at the Sculthorpe reserves visitor centre. There are also picnic benches for those wishing to enjoy a hot drink and a biscuit before heading on or off the reserve.
