Outdoor learning in parks and green spaces   

With 10% of Cardiff’s total land area covered by parks and green spaces, the city offers unique educational opportunities and experiences.

As one of the greenest cities in the UK, Cardiff offers a wide variety of landscapes for residents and visitors to enjoy. It is home to many:

• Green Flag parks,
• sites of special scientific interest,
• sites of importance for nature conservation,
• country parks (including Forest Farm and Parc Cefn Onn), and
• local nature reserves.

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards the very best green spaces.

Why use parks and green spaces for learning?

Introducing children to the natural environment can encourage them to take interest in the world around them. The outdoor learning environment can provide unique and different experiences from the classroom. It is:

• less structured,
• not limited to school grounds,
• multi-sensory, and
• more relaxed.

This can positively influence a child’s behaviour, encouraging them to become calmer and more focused. Our outdoor spaces also offer children the chance to:

• make connections outside the classroom while building knowledge and understanding in a meaningful way, and
• develop skills like creative thinking, problem solving and reflection.

We will always aim to make sure that children have fun while learning in our spaces. Our knowledgeable, approachable and professional team can:

• support their learning and understanding of plants and animals,
• help demonstrate how nature is fundamental to our own existence.

Where is my local park or green space?

You can search our full list of parks and green spaces based on name, location or facilities.

Booking and information about outdoor learning sessions

You can find out more about sessions for:

• school groups,
• clubs and organised groups, and
• educators.

We can design session plans to meet the needs of different age groups and abilities on request.