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The Earth Centre is part of Derwen Estates and is located within the grounds of the Derwen College near Oswestry. It has been developed as an environmental teaching resource and visitor centre, with the theme of the natural environment and the impact that people have upon it. The ten-acre site includes a woodland area planted with native trees that has a 750 metre wheelchair accessible trail running through it.

The Earth Centre is comprised of a number of different pocket-sized habitats including areas to attract birds and insects. In addition, there are large beds of different varieties of willow trees for basketry and other willow work. A number of trees are grown in the nursery and a small organic allotment is being developed by Derwen Estates to produce teasels, bulrushes, poppy heads, twisty willow etc  for sale to the public through college outlets, including the Garden Centre.

The woodland surrounding the trail is gradually maturing and provides a pleasant walk/wheel throughout the seasons but is especially attractive during the autumn months with an abundance of colour from the changing leaves and the ripe berries and fruits.

The college's ethos of offering real life working environments to their students make visitors an essential element at the Derwen and as well as the trail you can enjoy some excellent home made refreshments at Tiffins or lunch Betty's Coffee Shop and The Orangery Restaurant. You might also wish to browse around the excellent garden centre, the art gallery or buy locally grown produce in  the Farm Shop.

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Gardens and Countryside Facilities

Assessed by Disabled Holiday Information

Arrival

• Designated Disabled car parking (not designated but there is parking near the entrance to the trail and at the coffee shop, garden centre and restaurant)
• Hard surfaced car park
• Level/ramped wheelchair access to entrance (level)
• Level/ramped wheelchair access into venue (level through an accessible kissing gate)
• Concessionary fee for wheelchair user (free)
• Concessionary fee for carer (free)
• Easy access around ground floor/area of site
• Wheelchair access to gardens/grounds

Toilets

• Wheelchair accessible toilet/toilets (There is an accessible toilet at the centre as well as at Betty's Coffee Shop and The Orangery)
• Room for carer/carers in accessible toilet
• Wheelchair turning space in accessible toilet (Betty's has the larger dimensions)
• Space for side transfer to toilet
• Grab rails in toilet
• easy access to hand dryer/towels
• Easy access to wash basin

Café/Shop

• Level/ramped access to shop (level)
• Level/ramped access to café/tearoom (level to all three sites)
• Accessible counter/cutlery if self service (partial but staff on hand to assist if needed)
• Sufficient wheelchair access to tables

Other

• assistance dogs welcome