Colleges & Universities
Bring Sustainability to Life at The Sustainability Centre
Looking for an inspiring place to bring your college or university students? The Sustainability Centre offers a unique opportunity to explore sustainability, environmental issues and practical solutions in a beautiful 55-acre setting in the South Downs National Park, Hampshire.
Whether you’re studying environmental science, sustainable development, geography, ecology, outdoor education, eco-tourism, agriculture or design, our site offers plenty of opportunities to see sustainability in action.
We welcome colleges, universities and further education groups for guided tours, educational visits, practical workshops and bespoke study days, tailored around your course content and learning objectives.
Discover, explore and learn about sustainable living beyond the classroom.
Guided Sustainability Tours
Take a closer look at how sustainable living works in practice with a guided tour of our site.
Led by an experienced member of our team, tours typically last between one and two hours and can be adapted to suit your subject area, interests and learning requirements.
Explore our buildings, renewable energy projects, woodland, gardens and sustainable land management practices, while discovering how environmental principles can be put into everyday action.
Tours can be tailored to your particular area of study, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, discuss ideas and connect classroom learning with real-world examples.
Topics can include:
- Sustainable Living & Development – exploring practical approaches to reducing environmental impact.
- Permaculture & Food Growing – discovering sustainable food production, gardening and working with nature.
- Eco-Renovation & Green Buildings – looking at low-impact construction, sustainable materials and energy-efficient buildings.
- Renewable Energy & Off-Grid Living – exploring solar energy, heating systems and alternative approaches to energy use.
- Woodland & Grassland Management – understanding biodiversity, conservation and sustainable land management.
- Sustainable Business – discovering how organisations can put environmental and ethical values into practice.
- Natural Burials – exploring environmentally conscious approaches to end-of-life choices and land management.
- Environmental Education & Volunteering – learning about community engagement, environmental awareness and practical action.
Bespoke Study Days & Residential Visits
We understand that every course has different learning objectives. That’s why we can work with lecturers and course leaders to develop a visit around your students’ interests and curriculum requirements.
Choose from a one-day educational visit or a residential experience, giving students more time to explore the site, take part in practical activities and develop their understanding of sustainability.
Tell us what your students are studying and what you’d like them to gain from their visit, and our Education Team will be happy to discuss ideas.
Depending on your requirements, activities could include:
- Guided sustainability and site tours.
- Practical environmental activities.
- Sustainable building and eco-design.
- Woodland and bushcraft activities.
- Team-building challenges.
- Eco-art and creative workshops.
- Farm tours exploring food production and UK farming.
Farm Tours – Food, Farming & Sustainability
Our farm tours offer a fascinating insight into food production and the issues surrounding farming in the UK.
Particularly suitable for students studying agriculture, food systems, environmental studies and sustainable land management, the tour explores the relationship between food, farming and the environment.
The approximately two-hour tour includes travel around the farm by tractor and trailer, offering an opportunity to explore the landscape and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing sustainable agriculture.
Team Building & Practical Activities
Give your students the opportunity to learn, collaborate and develop practical skills outside the classroom.
We can arrange activity days incorporating team building, sustainable building, bushcraft and eco-art. These sessions provide an opportunity to work together, develop problem-solving skills and explore creative approaches to sustainability.
Activities can be discussed and adapted to suit your group and the aims of your visit.
Stay at The Sustainability Centre
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay at our South Downs Eco Hostel.
Our group accommodation provides a comfortable base for students to enjoy a residential experience, with space for up to 38 people.
We can provide full catering, including breakfast, packed lunches and evening meals, prepared by our on-site Beech Café chef using locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Staying overnight gives students additional time to explore the site, enjoy evening activities and experience the South Downs countryside.
A Living Classroom in the South Downs
The Sustainability Centre is more than an educational venue. It is a working example of how people, buildings and the natural environment can exist in greater harmony.
Set within 55 acres of woodland and natural chalk downland, our independent learning centre is home to a variety of sustainable projects, low-impact buildings, renewable energy systems, wildlife habitats and practical environmental initiatives.
As an award-winning charity, our work is rooted in educating, enabling and inspiring people to make positive changes towards a more sustainable future.
We believe the best learning happens when people can see, experience and explore things for themselves.
Plan Your College or University Visit
Whether you’re looking for a guided sustainability tour, a practical study day, a farm visit or a residential experience, we’d love to hear from you.
Our Education Team can discuss your requirements and help put together a visit that complements your students’ studies.
Get in touch with our Education Team to start planning your visit.
Have you got some questions you need answering before booking your trip? Feel free to check out our information page for answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Or, if you’d like, contact our knowledgeable education team at education@sustainability-centre.org