Every year hundreds of school parties from across the country visit Blackgang Chine. Childrens' imaginations run wild as they enjoy the many themed areas around the park.
Blackgang provides a fertile base for activity play and learning, with exhibitions on coastal erosion, woodland & countryside crafts and the 'Wight Experience' "helicopter trip" over the Island!
Blackgang Chine calls itself "Land of Imagination" and this is certainly true. With many different attractions in one park there's something here to appeal to all students, no matter what age or interest. There's everything from nursery rhyme characters through to pirates, cowboys, fairies, goblins and even dinosaurs. Add in a few thrill rides and factual museums and you have a great mix for a fun day out.
This all provides extremely rich stimulus for many subjects. The pre-prepared educational resource set available for Blackgang Chine plays to the strengths of the park itself and are worthy of further investigation.
Blackgang is built on the edge of an eroding cliff-face - indeed, since the park first opened it has had to retreat inland on a number of occasions. This fascinating history is well recorded and presented in the "Coastline" museum and is ideal study material for students looking at coastal erosion. From the park there are several viewpoints where you can see partially collapsed buildings sliding down the cliff edge and enormous amounts of spoil on the beach below.
Suspend disbelief and enjoy all the quirks you will experience at Blackgang. The kids will simply love it.
The following information is not intended to form a comprehensive access statement; it is provided to highlight particular areas of concern for disabled visitors. We do not warrant that this information is fit for purpose or accurate. Education Destination will happily assist with gathering information in respect of particular concerns, or help you arrange an inspection visit.
To help you determine whether Blackgang Chine is suitable for your particular students, we've summarised any accessibility issues for you in the section below.
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Assistance dogs allowed
The park is set on top of 400ft high cliffs overlooking the English Channel. The paths around the site are undulating with some paths as steep as 1:6. The paths have tarmac surfaces but we would recommend that wheelchair users have strong helpers with them. Electric powered chairs may find some areas too steep to enter without additional help.
There is much more to see at the park other than the few aspects highlighted below and the majority of features are reasonably accessible. For full details see the current brochure or park website.
Assistance dogs not allowed in this part of the venue
Stairs access to loading platform and motor muscle strength required.
Assistance dogs not allowed in this part of the venue
Restricted access subject to upper body control.
Assistance dogs not allowed in this part of the venue
Stairs access to loading platform and motor muscle strength required.
Opening Dates, Times and Restrictions
Many Island venues and attractions, especially those outdoors, have limitations on opening times during the year. Additionally, some have limits on the number of group tours on any given date for safety and capacity reasons.
This section helps you identify whether Blackgang Chine has any such restrictions during your preferred visit dates.
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Open Easter - October
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Why not visit Blackgang Chine on a day trip?
The Isle of Wight can be reached in as little as 12 minutes! If you're located close to the south coast then a day trip is easily achievable...
Blackgang Chine features in the following day trip:
Land of Imagination! from £25pp inc. ferry
Let children's imaginations run wild as they enjoy the many themed areas around Blackgang Chine!
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Helping you come prepared!
In this section we've highlighted any special clothing or equipment you'll need to bring in order to get the most out of a visit to Blackgang Chine
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There are no special requirements for a visit to Blackgang Chine.
SITE SPECIFIC DOCUMENTATION
All of the supporting documentation you'll need
One of the most common issues faced by teachers when planning trips is ensuring that all of the relevant paperwork is in place, and that the lead teacher and their assistants are fully briefed about each venue before they arrive.
Our experienced teachers have done most of this work for you. In this section you'll find a sample Risk Assessment covering all of the typical activities undertaken at Blackgang Chine by groups of students, along with a detailed "On The Day" Procedure which sets out everything you need to know about the site before you get there.
If there are any other mandatory considerations, such as HSE advice sheets for animal attractions or outdoor activity centres, you'll also find these below.
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VENUE OVERVIEW - FOR TEACHERS
A brief overview of Blackgang Chine prepared especially for teachers.
Download (PDF) →
VENUE OVERVIEW - FOR PARENTS
A brief overview of Blackgang Chine prepared for parents.
Download (PDF) →
GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT
For your convenience this generic risk assessment has been prepared to cover all of the typical activities undertaken at Blackgang Chine. You may use it as the basis for your own documentation. We do not warrant that this is either complete or accurate, and would be happy to help arrange a site pre-visit if required.
Generic Risk Assessment (PDF) →
ACCESS STATEMENT
Blackgang Chine have published a comprehensive Access Statement. This is a description of the facilities offered at Blackgang Chine, covering a wide range of information on accessibility for those with particular needs.
Access Statement (PDF) →
PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
Blackgang Chine have provided a copy of their current or most recent PLI cover note.
PLI Policy (PDF) →
ON-THE-DAY PROCEDURE
Our handy guide to distribute to your adult supervisors just before arrival. This essential document sets out in summary form everything you need to know about the venue, from a useful site navigation map to the locations of toilets and first aid boxes, lost child procedures, special clothing or equipment requirements etc.
On-the-Day Procedure (PDF) →
Facilities Overview
 | Blackgang Chine is mostly an outdoors attraction with some aspects under cover. |
 | There are various cafes and food outlets throughout the site depending on the time of year. There are also lots of places to stop and eat a packed lunch. |
 | There are plenty of places to stop for a while. |
 | First aid is available at the gift shop. If you run into difficulty whilst in the park, any member of staff will be in radio or phone contact with the front desk. |
 | There are toilets dotted around the park in various locations. |
 | Phone reception is patchy. No WiFi. |
GROUP LEADER FEEDBACK
Verified feedback from previous group visits...
Wendy Leeming, Head Teacher | 27/06/2017 | 30 x KS2U
"The children’s favourite day!"
"The children loved this! A lovely mix of enjoyment with the attractions and learning about the erosion displays and viewpoints. It worked really well having a time slot for the water ride."
"The theme park provided an excellent welcome and customer service session for students which gave them an insight into how they maintain standards and train staff, students were able to ask previously prepared questions and make notes during this session. The theme park arranged a private session on the water slide which meant students had lots of fun. The theme park is a little young for Yr11 students but they made every effort to accommodate them on the rides that were more suitable. All students were provided with a gift bag which included a book about the history of the park, DVD and leaflets. This was extremely useful for completing work back at the academy."
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