Thanks to our writer Bethanie ( from Girl About Northumberland ) for this review of Seashore Safari. Over to Bethanie:
Something a little bit different for a day out, birthday party or something to fill a day during the school holidays. Ranger Jane is an experienced beach school practitioner, offering a range of activities in the local area of Seahouses.
Jane originally worked for the National Trust as a community ranger before going independent and is now adding to her business by training to be a forest school practitioner (to add another string to her bow).
We had a great morning down on Seahouses beach, exploring the rock pools and learning all about the local area and what was out at sea…
Location.
The location for our Seashore Safari was North Beach, Seahouses. We parked along the road side where there is National Trust parking. This is located as the name suggests, to the north of the village, heading out towards Bamburgh.
Already a great location with the backdrop of Bamburgh Castle and if you look out to sea you are looking onto the Farne Islands. The boat trips are back up and running so there is plenty of activity out on the water.
You head down through the dunes, (a short walk) and onto the beach. Heading to the right, a short walk along the beach and you will find yourself at the rock pools, where the Safari takes place.
What to expect from a Seashore Safari.
We were greeted by Jane at the car park, just as we were unloading the car. Ideally the booking is for up to six people or a family group but Jane was very accommodating so if your needs are going to be slightly different I recommend getting in touch to see how she can help.
There are five in our family but with one being a baby it was just the older two who took part along with two of their friends. (Although our bum shuffling eight month old did enjoy playing in the sand and leaving her trial down to the water, just like a seal pup!)
Jane provides all the gear so all you need is to dress appropriately and perhaps take drinks and snacks if you feel your children will need this. (Ours certainly do.) Sun hats and cream obviously for the warmer months and wrap up warm if you are heading out when it's cooler.
We headed on to the beach, all the while Jane talked us through what we were going to be doing but also about her background and what she could offer during the Seashore Safari experience. She was engaging and I could tell straight away the kids were fully involved.
As we reached the rock pools Jane gave the kids two options as to where they might like to go; she knew the best spots as opposed to us just aimlessly rambling about hoping for the best.
It was great – straight away they were turning over rocks and unearthing sea creatures with Jane by their side, ready to tell them exactly what it was they were finding and the best ways to safely extract the sea creatures from their natural habitat to look at them more closely.
Fish, sea snails and crabs were the most common for us that day, however I have seen some wonderful photographs of starfish from a previous trip out she did. The kids were in their element and stayed fully engaged for the full ninety minutes. We even ended up staying around the rock pools a bit longer as it was a lovely day weather wise and they were all having so much fun.
There was a particularly huge crab discovered which only Jane was brave enough to hold, but she turned it over and told them about how to tell the difference between male and female and the safest way to pick them up.
Did you know, a crab sheds its shell?
We all came away feeling more knowledgeable and satisfied it had been a successful and fun morning out. I am planning on booking another experience for my son’s ninth birthday but I would say this is suitable from perhaps age three and up. My four year old absolutely loved it.
As well as the Seashore Safari you can also book to do a “Sea Watch”, using binoculars and a telescope, you will learn about the local bottle nosed dolphins, seals and birds along the Northumberland Coast.
If bug hunting is more your bag, Jane offers an activity around this too. You will learn all about bugs and their natural habitat as well as building a bug hotel.
To check prices, book and for more information about what's available, visit the website: https://www.rangerjane.co.uk/ or follow @rangerjane_events on Instagram.
Thanks Bethanie! This looks fantastic.
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