Environmental Workshops
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
Albert Einstein
Our Peak District Environmental workshops develop your understanding of nature, from the macro geological to the micro of lichens and everything in-between.
Who is it for ?
Anyone who works or plays on the hills and crags and wants to know more about their surroundings. Ideal for aspirant or qualified Lowland Leaders, Hill and Moorland Leaders, Mountain Leaders, Rock Climbing Instructors and MCIs who want to know a bit more and pass the knowledge on. 1 CPD point for MTA members.
Peak District Environmental Workshop: Overview
We meet at 9am and after initial introductions (and a cuppa) the workshop will spend a bit of time in the classroom looking at the Geomorphology of the Peak District. This helps us understand the range of birds, animals, trees, plants, lichens and fungi that have made the Peak District their home.
We examine everything in bite sized (and hopefully fun) chunks so that you are able to pass on the knowledge to those you work or play with. Before we leave for our first location, we look at the wide range of field guides, phone apps and other aids to help us both understand what we see, but also pass on the knowledge in a fun and engaging way.
We drive a short distance to our first workshop location and go for a walk looking at what we see, smell and hear. Sometimes we are near a cafe for lunch, but we don’t guarantee it as we tend to search for the best nature – if another Lammergeier comes by, we won’t sit in a cafe and miss it!
We will normally finish the environmental workshop at a second location to experience slightly different birds, animals and plants.
The workshop will finish at around 4:30pm.
Most environmental workshops cover the environment of the Dark Peak, but look for out White Peak and Orchid specials.
About the tutor:
Chris Allewell
Chris has a livelong fascination with the natural world. The excitement of his first bird watch in the garden with his grandfather at the age of four still hasn’t left him.
He undertook his first degree, in Microbiology, in Sheffield. Here he got up close with the smaller inhabitants of the Peak District with a research thesis on lichens. He has interspersed work in training and development around the world with his passion for inspiring others about the outdoors ever since.
As well as running environmental workshops and guiding natural history groups in the UK he has worked in a Chimpanzee sanctuary and led birdwatching tours in W Africa.
He volunteers for the RSPB and Wildlife trusts and is Fellow of both the RSPB and the RGS
He has led walking and climbing groups all over the world and has Course Directed over two hundred Mountain Training leadership courses.
Course Details
- Location: Peak District
- Cost: £45
- Duration: 1 day
- Ratio: 1:8
- Level: Introduction
More Information
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Course Dates
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Bespoke Dates and Locations
We can if required deliver these courses at your place of work or add additional courses to an overall package.
Please contact the office and we will arrange some dates to suit your diary.
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Meeting Point
The course will meet at the Sir William Hotel at 0900 in the village of Grindleford. The village has good bus and train links with Sheffield and good train links to Manchester.
The hotel has ample free parking. Its postcode is S32 2HS.
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Equipment Required
Please bring warm and waterproof clothes, binoculars & hand lens (if you have them), a packed lunch and a means of recording everything you learn.
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Fitness Level
We undertake short to medium walks on our environmental workshops. The terrain underfoot will be rough.
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Accommodation Options
This Beyond the Edge environmental workshop is non-residential to allow you to select between a thermarest or 5 star hotel as you require.
There is lots of accommodation in the Hope Valley although we base ourselves out of The Sir William Hotel.
Further details and other options are listed on our Accommodation page.
If you are struggling to find something or want something special, contact the office and we will endeavour to assist.
Gallery
FAQs
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How do I book?
The best way to book on an environmental workshop is via this webpage. Choose the date from the options on the above and then submit your booking and pay or request an invoice. If your course is under six weeks away you must pay the full amount.
For bespoke environmental workshops / study days get in touch first so we can check diaries and if required give you a quote. Get in touch by either calling the office on 01142 631 155 or emailing us.
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Does the course include accommodation ?
Not usually! We prefer to let you choose where you will be most comfortable. This may be in a tent or in a luxury hotel.
In the Peak District we work out of the the Sir William hotel in Grindleford (S32 2HS). This is a comfortable Inn with stunning views over the Hope valley.
If this doesn’t suit you for whatever reason, other accommodation options can be found on our accommodation page.
For bespoke courses and events we can arrange whatever you desire from a bivouac under the stars to a spa hotel.
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Children, Parking, Dogs, COVID and everything else...
You will find all of the most frequently asked questions and their answers on our FAQ webpage.
