ABOUT US
Stone Farm Study Centre is located on the edge of Dartmoor in the heart of the Devon countryside. Set in the foothills of the National Park, the site boasts 110 acres of organic park-land pasture and is an idyllic retreat for children to visit.
Among 17th century listed buildings we have a traditional working farm where every morning and evening visiting groups can help with supervised farm jobs - complete with pigs, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, alpacas, a donkey, a pony, 'Hedwig' the African eagle owl and resident sheepdog Baloo there really is something for everyone! Stone Farm also has its own onsite lake where, if lucky, the children will be able to spot local birdlife including ducks, geese, moorhen and kingfishers. When taking a walk in the adjoining woodland we often see deer, foxes and badgers.
First established in 1992 by two former teachers, Stone Farm Study Centre has welcomed schools for 30 years and we understand the educational, physical and emotional benefits school visits offer. We have attempted to create a Study Centre which we would want to visit ourselves and an environment in which every child can flourish and grow. We work closely with every school to ensure our on-site activities, and the excursions you choose in the local area, incorporate and complement the curriculum of each year group. Set up specifically and exclusively for primary schools, we welcome KS2 groups from across the country for 3 or 4 night visits.
Great Reasons To Choose Stone Farm!
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A magnificent setting! We are situated in the foothills of Dartmoor on the edge of the National Park.
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EXPERIENCE: Stone Farm has welcomed over 30,000 children since we were established in 1992!
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Our Study Centre is ideally situated for the dozens of places of interest in Devon and Cornwall. The Eden Project, Plymouth Aquarium, Morwellham Quay, the Cornish Coastline and many more are available to visit in the local area.
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Wholesome farmhouse fare - cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and home-cooked evening meals (4/5 choices per evening!) are all prepared in our farmhouse kitchen and included in our price.
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All on-site facilities inc. campfire circle, fully equipped games room, bale-maze, animal sketching, barn dance/disco area and barn cinema can be used at no additional cost.
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Free entry to all National Trust properties with our education card.
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All staff places are free on a ratio of 1:9, and all staff have separate accommodation.
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Groups of 40+ children have the whole centre to themselves.
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We know how busy teachers are! We are happy to check availability for your excursions and make provisional bookings if helpful.
What The Teachers Say...
‘Everything is so thoughtfully organised and run, providing a brilliant experience for everyone. The year group have made lasting memories from the unique experiences which other residential trips just don't come anywhere close to offering. Thank you so much and see you next year!’ Spring 2023
‘We finished the disco last night with ‘Time of our lives’ and this sums up our week really! We sat in the courtyard and reflected on what memories we will be taking with us and the children just kept on sharing one after another – the awesome food, the friendly staff, the animals, the environment, overcoming fears, developing friendships, laughing, dancing, walking and soaking up nature and the outside. An incredible set up you have here – thanks for sharing!' Summer 2023
‘What a wonderful week we have had! Thank you for all the laughs, the cuddles and the fresh air. It has been amazing to see how the children interact with the animals, so calm and responsible. A big thank you for looking after us as staff too. We have really enjoyed ourselves and for the first time ever, will be going home refreshed and renewed after a school residential! You are miracle workers! Looking forward to visiting again in September!’ Summer 2023
‘What can we say? We have had the most incredible first visit to Stone Farm. Your hospitality is boundless, warm and welcoming; a real home from home. We have been delighted to see our children blossom, thrive and grow before our eyes as they soak up everything you have given us. The food was absolutely scrumptious – we are thoroughly stuffed and leave you longing to stay. Thank you for memories made, experiences shared and moments we will treasure forever. We will be back!’ Summer 2023
'A third visit to Stone farm and it just continues to get better! This is our first visit in the Autumn and we strongly recommend it. Beautiful young animals being born, the perfect weather and lots of opportunities to make new friends. The activity days always have their highlights, like the big zip and finding crabs rock pooling, but the reason we keep coming back is the farm itself. The staff are wonderful, the food is delicious (and plentiful) and you simply cannot replace he nurturing effect that being exposed to all these delightful animals has on the children. Thank you Stone Farm, we'll see you again next year!' Autumn 2023
What The Children Say...
'Thank you for letting me stay, I have made memories which will last a lifetime. Seeing so many animals made me so happy. Your cooking is the best I've ever had, I've never had chocolate cake which is so delicious!'
'I think Stone Farm is important because its an opportunity to learn new things and things that you can't learn in the classroom. I had such a great time and I wish I could stay again!'
'Thank you again for everything you have done this has been the best week of my LIFE!'
'I didn't know I liked the outdoors until I came here. I've learned so much!'
'Thank you for giving me your delicious food I loved it, it was scrumdiddlyumptious! I really hope i can come back and please tell all the animals that I really miss them and the Stone Farm crew!'
Sample Itinerary
You would need a month to do everything we could suggest!
This is just a 5 day (four night) sample.
Day One:
Arrive mid-afternoon. Settle into bedrooms and drop off luggage. Tour of the farm to meet the animals and introductory chat. Evening meal. Campfire and toasting marshmallows.
Day Two:
Up with the larks to see if any chicks have hatched, walk the rabbits and groom Tiny the pony. Breakfast at c. 8:30am. Day excursion to Morwelllham Quay (reconstructed Victorian Village) to ride on the mine train, dress in Victorian costume and make Victorian chocolate! Home via Lydford Gorge (a local beauty spot) and a walk down to the stunning White Lady Waterfall.
Day Three:
Up with the larks again for farm jobs. A morning on Dartmoor with experienced guides to show you the very best of the Moor. The children will enjoy hunting for the 'secret' Dartmoor letterboxes – they can even send a postard home from one of them and see when it arrives! Afternoon swim at a local pool before back to Stone Farm for an evening falconry display.
Day Four:
Early morning farm jobs and then to the Cornish coast for games on the beach, rockpooling, crabbing, beach art and sandcastle competitions. Or would you prefer the Eden Project? Or would you prefer an Activity Day with high ropes, archery, kayaking or raft building? The choice is always yours!
Day Five:
A special breakfast of pancakes, goodbyes with the animals and the chance to take those final pictures before the bus departs. Back to school via an en-route National Trust property (free with our education card) with one last packed lunch from us!
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our centre, available dates or any other enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us either via a contact form, E-mail or give us a call. We are also more than happy to host pre-visits for teachers to give you a first hand experience of Stone Farm!