Botley is a fun, screen-free robot that can be programmed to move, spin and play games! Students as young as 5 can enjoy the introductory activities, and classroom sets are available. The 77-piece activity set includes tactile manipulatives, which significantly improve accessibility.
Pair Botley with STEM picture books, such as How to Code a Sandcastle. Students can practice math skills by setting up an obstacle course and coding Botley to solve problems.
1. Botley Hill Farmhouse
Located at the highest point of the North Downs Way, Botley Hill Farmhouse is an old-style country inn that offers spectacular views. This 16th century farmhouse is found in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also abounds with wildlife. It is home to pigs, goats, sheep, alpacas and rabbits.
The restaurant is also famous for its superb menu that features dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. This includes the deeply delicious venison dish and other choices like homemade burgers, roast beef and superfood salad. Guests also love the bakery’s cookies, brownies and sticky toffee pudding.
Botley Hill Farmhouse is easily accessible by public transit. Use Moovit to get the fastest, cheapest and safest way to go to Botley Hill Farmhouse. See if there are any trains, buses or other options to get to Botley Hill Farmhouse in real time. The free Moovit app has all the transit info you need. It even works offline!
2. Manor Farm Country Park
With a wealth of incredible activities and attractions Manor Farm Country Park is a great place for kids to see, touch, taste and learn.
Sat in the middle of River Hamble Country Park close to Hedge End and Botley, it’s a full day out for the whole family. The historic farm is set in a Victorian style with an abundance of family-friendly things to do.
From a wildlife pond, where kids can discover a range of creepy crawlies to Goat Mountain, where they can spot 3 different breeds of goats. Then there’s the Tractor Barn where children can discover a wide variety of vintage tractors and machinery as well as the Soft Play Barn where they can run around, climb and jump with other kids!
There’s also a cafe with a huge choice of hot and cold food. If you’re looking for something to do for the older kids then why not check out the Tennis Club which is open for adults and children of all standards.
3. Down House
A topsy-turvy house that is sure to leave visitors’ jaws dropping. Located in Broederstroom, South Africa, the upside down house features furniture and decorations that would normally be on the floor, above your head! Jumping castles and coin operated kids rides round out the site’s attractions.
Charles Darwin lived at Down House for 40 years. Guests can now explore the rooms he and his wife, Emma, used as a family home including his study where On the Origin of Species was written. There are also exhibitions of his work and the sheltered gardens that acted as his living laboratory for many botanical experiments.
In the garden, take a stroll along the ‘thinking path’ that Darwin often took to clear his mind and reflect on nature. This makes a great outdoor activity to tie in with STEM picture books, such as How to Code a Sandcastle by Girls Who Code and Viking Books for Young Readers.
4. Ridlands Grove
Botley is home to a fun coding robot called Botley that can be programmed to move, spin, talk and play games. This wide-eyed, beeping robot is perfect for students with visual and hearing impairments. It comes with a 77 piece activity set (manipulatives used in accessible games) and has tactile buttons for remote programmers.
Kids up through grade 5 will enjoy learning basic coding concepts with the coding cards and simple remote programming. Older students up through 10 years can use ‘if/then’ logic with more advanced activities such as creating line puzzles or mapping the town for Botley to “drive” down the streets.
Just a 20 minute drive from Botley Hill Farmhouse is Down House, the family home of famous evolutionary scientist Charles Darwin. This English Heritage site offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of life and is an important educational destination for local students. There are also a variety of self-guided trails that explore the historic grounds and beautiful countryside.
