Access to funded community and education visits
Through our Access to Nature programme, we are able to offer funded visits, for schools, community groups, charities and youth organisations that meet the eligibility criteria.
Applications for funded education and community visits for 2026 are now closed.
If you'd like to apply for a visit next year, please visit this page again in January 2027.
What is Access to Nature?
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to access nature. However, we know many groups face barriers to accessing green spaces and wildlife.
Access to Nature aims to remove these barriers, ensuring Bristol Zoo Project is truly accessible and inclusive for all.
Through Community Membership, or through our funded education and community visits, we offer year-round access to the wildlife and green spaces here at Bristol Zoo Project. In this way we ensure nature, both locally and globally, is accessible and inspiring for everyone in our community.
Access to community and education visits
Access to Education Visits is designed for schools, community and charity groups that meet the programme's eligibility criteria.
Bristol Zoo Project offers an amazing opportunity for all ages and abilities to learn about animals, conservation and the natural world in a beautiful and inherently wild setting, connecting people with nature and supporting health and well-being.
How do funded community and education visits work?
Funded education visits through Access to Nature allow eligible organisations to gain free access for their members and/or beneficiaries to enjoy visits to Bristol Zoo Project.
What are the criteria to apply?
Applicants for our funded visits must be located within our catchment areas:
South Gloucestershire
City of Bristol
North Somerset
Bath and North East Somerset
Gloucestershire
Wiltshire
South Wales (Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport, Cardiff, Rhondda, Merthyr, Gwent, Caerphilly and Glamorgan)
Community applicants should be charities, not-for-profit organisations and services, whose purpose is to support individuals who face barriers to accessing nature, in particular:
Those on low income
Disabled people
The Global Majority
People experiencing mental health issues
People over 60 who may be at risk of isolation
Education visit applicants must demonstrate that they are a state-funded primary, secondary or special school, and have both of the following:
30% or more students eligible for Pupil Premium*
5% or more students with special needs*
*Special schools do not need to adhere to this criteria.
After the visit has taken place, we will send you a post visit survey which must be completed by the organiser of the trip. If the survey is not completed, your school or organisation will not be able to make future applications to the Access to Nature Scheme.
How do we apply?
Applications for funded education and community visits for 2026 are now closed. If you applied for a visit, we will be in contact by the end of March 2026.
If you would like to apply for a visit next year, please visit this page again in January 2027.
Can I reschedule my Access to Nature booking?
If you need to cancel or reschedule your Access to Nature booking, we ask that as a minimum, you let us know via edubookings@bzsociety.org.uk with at least 7 days’ notice.
Our school visits are always in high demand, and this policy allows us to offer cancellation slots to other schools that would like to come.
If possible, we will try to reschedule the visit for you. Please note, the rescheduled visit must still take place in 2026. If a suitable date cannot be found, the funded visit will be cancelled, and you will be able to reapply the following year.