Facilities
Cockington Country Park is a 450 acre estate which lies close to Torquay in the heart of Torbay. The Park is managed by the Trust which has its headquarters at Cockington Court the original Manor House of the estate. The Trust has a well established educational programme at Cockington having run group visits for over 6 years. Visits are based in the thatched Gamekeeper's Cottage which lies in the heart of the Park and is large enough to accommodate 60 or even 90 students. The Park contains formal parkland, including an arboretum, woodland and farmland.
Gamekeeper's Cottage Education Centre: The historic Gamekeeper's Cottage is located in the heart of the country park, right on the edge of Manscombe woods and provides a wonderful, atmospheric indoor facility for groups visiting the park. There are full toilet facilities and disabled access with plenty of room to store bags while students are out in the field. If the weather isn't suitable for a picnic, the group can have their packed lunch in the large upstairs room.
Cockington Organic Garden: Behind the Cockington Court is a wonderful walled kitchen garden, open to all and producing an abundance of vegetables and fruit that have been grown using organic gardening methods. School groups are wel come. The Cockington rangers can run plant and /or gardening themed interactive activities and tours for up to 20 students at a time (if a class has to be split then they can be doing another activity in the park and then swop over). Phone 01803 606035 for further details.
Working Crafts: The Cockington Court at Cockington is open to the public and to groups 10 -4pm, 7 days a week, entry is free and inside are several working Craft studios including a pottery, a blacksmith and glassblowers. The studios are run by independent craftspeople and demonstrations to groups of students can be arranged in advance. Timing: each demonstration would last for approx 15 minutes
Warren Barn Residential Centre: The Trust is in the process of converting a barn within the country park, close to the Gamekeeper's Cottage into a camping barn to be used by schools and other community groups. It is hoped that it will open after Easter 2007.
Toilets: Full toilet facilities are available in the village car park and at Cockington Court, please supervise all children in your care.
Meeting point if children get lost: Trust Main Office upper floor of Cockington Court.
Emergency Meeting Point: Car Park behind Cockington Court.
Meals/Picnics: There are many lovely lawned areas, ideal for picnics, near Cockington Court and near the Gamekeepers Cottage. Children must be supervised by adults at all times. There are litter bins for any rubbish. Unfortunately there are no water fountains so please ensure that children bring a drink with their pack lunch if relevant.
The Courthouse café/restaurant is situated in Cockington Court. Opening times 10 – 4pm (5pm in the summer, tel: 01803 605873). Ice cream is sold in cones.
There are also shops and other cafés in the village, and craft studios in Cockington Court and in the adjacent stable yard.
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