Learning at Mottisfont

We'll then send you a booking form to fill in.

Our learning group can help you to plan your visit and discuss the following:

• What you want to focus on
• What activities you would like to do
• Lunchtimes and whether you might want to visit the shop

Contact us via mottisfont@nationaltrust.org.uk

Confirming your booking

Once we've received your booking form, you will then be sent a confirmation letter.

The National Trust requires that all schools or colleges planning to visit one of the properties or sites undertake a preliminary visit and carry out their own risk assessment. These visits must be booked in advance and are free for the group leader. Any accompanying adults or children are subject to normal admission rates.

Free learning resources for teachers

Working with the University of Southampton's education department, we have produced a number of free, curriculum-linked resources for primary teachers to make use of when visiting with their groups - see them listed further down this page. As well as information for teachers, there are pupil worksheets for carrying out practical activities. 

These will help young students to:

• Give creative responses to key features in our grounds
• Carry out scientific investigations
• Develop map-reading skills
• Discover some of Mottisfont's varied history

Please don't hesitate to email mottisfont@nationaltrust.org.uk for copies of the worksheets:

Finding your way with maps and a compass

These resources will introduce the use of a compass and enhance the understanding and use of simple maps. The two worksheets give practical experience of using a compass and map to find specific features. Curriculum links: KS1 and KS2 Geographical Skills and Fieldwork

Making sun prints

This activity encourages children to look really carefully using magnifying glasses and then to draw their chosen leaf. From this they can then enjoy the process of making a sun print. Science enquiry objectives: Observing closely and using simple Scientific Equipment. Identifying and classifying. Recording findings using simple scientific language, drawings.

Measuring the flow rate of the font stream

The font at Mottisfont is a natural source of water that flows from an underground reservoir. Pupils can carry out a scientific investigation here to discover the flow rate of the stream. Curriculum link: Scientific Enquiry Objectives UKS2: I can take measurements of time with increasing accuracy and precision, taking repeat reading and record my own data on a table.

Measuring light and temperature using a data logger

Use data loggers (available from Mottisfont – please ask when planning your visit) to give pupils experience in the use of practical scientific methods, processes and skills. Curriculum links: KS1 & KS2 Working Scientifically

Primary creative activities

These activities offer opportunities for children to explore the grounds of Mottisfont in an engaging and inspiring way while developing observational, creative and evaluative skills.

Sensory trail

Explore Mottisfont with your senses.

Story builder tool

Use open questions whilst following our Mottisfont Wild Play Map (available to collect when you do your pre-visit) to help children build their own stories. Curriculum link: KS1/2 Literacy: Composition - articulating ideas and structuring these in speech and writing.

Using gear mechanisms

Study gears in action at Mottisfont and carry out a comparative investigation. Curriculum link: Forces Year 5. Learning Objectives/Success Criteria: I understand that some mechanisms allow a smaller force to have a greater effect. I can recognise that gears allow a smaller force to have a greater effect.