2,500 children experience UK's largest outdoor classroom

Pupils from various regions are relishing the touch of spongey sphagnum mosses and sights of insect-eating sundew plants as the UK's grandest uplands classroom makes its return.

As part of this year's 'Let’s Learn Moor' events, the children are immersing themselves in nature, meeting resilient Swaledale sheep, observing birds of prey in-flight, and listening to the gossiping of red grouse.

Coordinated by the Regional Moorland Groups, BASC and Countryside Learning, the event has engaged over 10,000 children since its inaugural run in 2017.

(Image: Regional Moorland Groups)

Curtis Mossop, head of education and outreach at BASC, said: "In the past, they have had a chance to “rescue” their teachers with the mountain rescue, solve rural crimes with the police and learn about the importance of the precious carbon-rich peatlands below their feet.

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"Our young guests will get to sample wild food, with pigeon and venison burgers on the menu.

"We are very excited to be working alongside Countryside Learning and the Regional Moorland Groups once again to deliver this fantastic event."

The events have been scheduled across multiple locations in the north between July 1-5, 2024.

Richard Bailey, spokesperson for Regional Moorland Groups, said he was looking forward to "showing these youngsters what makes the moorlands of the UK special."

'Let’s Learn Moor' serves as the UK’s prime annual upland education event, introducing children to the people and organisations safeguarding moorland landscapes and species.