Field Trips
All excursions will take place on Wednesday 23 September 2026. When registering for the conference, please note that it is only possible to attend one excursion.
Field trips may change in response to circumstances, operational needs, or weather conditions.
Participation is at attendees’ own risk, and the organisers cannot accept responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred during the trip.
Engineering with Nature: Oxford – Cotswolds
Engineering with Nature: Oxford – Cotswolds Field Trip
This visit takes place in the Gloucester and Oxford area. The itinerary includes three major projects: a landscape‑led highways scheme, one of the UK’s largest flood‑alleviation schemes, and a sustainable motorway service station.
The first part of the visit focuses on the A417 Missing Link, a £460 million landscape‑led highways scheme designed to create a safe, resilient, free‑flowing road while conserving and enhancing the character of the Cotswolds National Landscape. The project includes 3 miles of new dual carriageway, one of the largest wildlife bridges in the UK (37 metres wide), the Gloucester Way Crossing, and a range of environmental enhancements. The visit will include an overview of the project in the site office, followed by a trip to the project’s exclusion zone, where the construction site can be safely viewed.
The visit then continues to Oxford to explore the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, one of the largest flood‑alleviation projects in the UK. Located in farmland and floodplain meadows outside the historic city, the scheme will create a new stream and a 5‑kilometre wetland corridor to reduce flood risk to Oxford and surrounding areas. The project will reduce flood risk to all Oxford properties and infrastructure currently at risk, while creating 20 hectares of new wetland habitat and 16 hectares of floodplain meadow.
The final stop is Gloucester Services, a unique example of a motorway service station built around sustainability, local enterprise, and ecological design. The site features nature‑positive layout, natural landscaping, green roofs, and the use of local materials. It supports local producers and demonstrates how commercial enterprise can operate in an environmentally responsible way. There may also be time to visit the farm shop before returning to campus.
A packed lunch will be provided and should be collected before boarding the coach.
Meeting time on campus is 8:00am, with an expected return at approximately 6:15pm.
Walking level: This is a low‑activity trip, with short walks at each site. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this trip is £70.
Restoring Nature Wetlands & Energy-Legacy Landscapes
Restoring Nature Wetlands & Energy-Legacy Landscapes
This visit takes place in the Avonmouth, Severnside, Hallen Marshes, and Oldbury‑on‑Severn areas. The itinerary focuses on major flood‑defence, wetland‑mitigation, and habitat‑restoration projects, along with the environmental legacy of a former nuclear power station.
The first part of the visit explores the Avonmouth & Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Flood Defence and Ecology Mitigation Project. This large‑scale programme delivers 17 kilometres of new flood defences and more than 80 hectares of wetland habitat to offset the impacts of industrial development. The visit will provide an overview of the flood‑defence works and the associated ecological‑mitigation areas.
The visit then continues to Hallen Marshes, a flagship wetland‑mitigation site north of Avonmouth. This newly created wetland provides high‑tide roosts for waders and wildfowl and compensates for habitat loss linked to the ASEA project. The site includes scrapes, ditches, and native planting designed to support species such as curlew, redshank, pintail, and water vole.
The final stop is Oldbury Nuclear Power Station, near Oldbury‑on‑Severn. Here, the focus is on the decommissioning of the former Magnox reactors (closed in 2012) and the environmental obligations set out in the site’s Environmental Management Plan under ONR consent. The visit will include discussion of wetland restoration in the former silt lagoons, which historically provided high‑tide roosts for estuarine birds, and plans to regenerate Lagoon 3 as a valuable habitat.
The group will then return to campus.
Walking level: This is a moderate‑activity trip, with short walks at each site. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this trip is: £25
Bristol Harbour: Engineering Icons & Eco‑Innovation
Bristol Harbour: Engineering Icons & Eco‑Innovation
This visit is a boat trip through the iconic Bristol Harbour, taking in several of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the SS Great Britain, and Temple Meads Railway Station. The trip also includes views of the Bristol Temple Quarter regeneration area and the historic Portishead railway line, which is being prepared for reopening.
Throughout the journey, speakers will introduce key projects and schemes connected to Bristol Harbour and outline the wider harbour strategy. The visit also includes the Floating Ecosystems of Bristol Harbour, installed as part of the West of England Combined Authority’s green‑recovery initiatives. These floating platforms support habitat for fish, invertebrates, and birds, and form part of the harbour’s nature‑positive approach.
The visit begins at UWE, where a packed lunch will be provided and should be collected before boarding the bus. A coach will transport the group to the harbour, where the boat will be boarded. The group will remain on the boat for the duration of the visit.
Meeting time at UWE is 10:00am, with an expected return to the harbour at approximately 3:00pm. Participants will make their own way to their accommodation from there.
Walking level: This is a low‑activity trip, with all activity taking place on board the boat. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this trip is £45.
Rewilding & Peatlands: Nature Recovery and BNG in Action
Rewilding & Peatlands: Nature Recovery and BNG in Action
This visit explores two pioneering approaches to nature recovery and sustainable land management. The itinerary includes Belmont Estate and Avalon Marshes, two contrasting landscapes demonstrating large‑scale environmental restoration and innovation.
The first part of the visit takes place at Belmont Estate, where regenerative agriculture and rewilding are being used to transform a historic estate into a centre for nature‑based solutions, community engagement, and biodiversity net gain. The visit will introduce the estate’s land‑management approach and show how conservation and innovation can work together to shape a greener future.
The visit then continues to Avalon Marshes Nature Reserve, part of Somerset’s new “super” National Nature Reserves. Here, peatland restoration and wetland connectivity are being scaled up to deliver climate resilience and biodiversity gains. The visit includes walking discussions on peatland restoration, wetland habitats, and the area’s archaeological history.
The group will depart from UWE at 9:00am and return at approximately 5:30pm.
Walking level: This is a moderate‑activity trip, with walking involved at both sites. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this trip is £25.
From Prehistory to Peat Scrapes: Stonehenge & Chalk Grassland Restoration
From Prehistoric to Peat Scrapes: Stonehenge & Chalk Grassland Restoration
This visit explores the chalk landscapes of southern England, where prehistoric heritage, modern infrastructure, and nature‑recovery projects come together.
The first part of the visit takes place at the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, offering views of the iconic monument and its surrounding landscape. The visit will consider how visitor management, landscape setting, and transport planning interact at a globally significant heritage site. It will also provide an overview of the recent policy and funding context linked to the A303 Stonehenge road scheme and the ongoing tunnel debate.
The visit then continues to the RSPB reserve at Winterbourne Downs, where an arable farm has been transformed into a chalk‑grassland nature reserve. The site now includes more than 200 hectares of new chalk grassland. The visit will introduce the reserve’s work to maintain open ground for nesting birds and wider biodiversity through cultivated plots, chalk scrapes, and butterfly banks.
The group will depart from UWE at 8:00am and return at approximately 6:00pm.
Walking level: This is a moderate‑activity trip, with walking involved at both sites. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this trip is £50.
Bristol to Bath Cycle Ride
Bristol to Bath Cycle Ride
The Bristol and Bath Railway Path a 14 mile completely off-road walking, wheeling, and cycling path on a disused railway.
It opened in 1984 and was the first part of what would later become the National Cycle Network.
The National Cycle Network is a UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling, and exploring outdoors, brought to you by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
We are offering 24 delegates the opportunity to participate in a led ride on Wednesday 23rd September between Bristol and Bath, before returning to Bristol using public transport.
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust will lead the ride, which will include talks on the history, and how it acts as an important wildlife corridor. We will also stop for a picnic.
All bicycles will be provided, which can include non-standard, and more accessible cycles, including e-assist. This will be a leisurely, slow-paced ride, allowing participants to take in their surroundings.
Further information to follow.
Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
The cost of this is £100.
UWE Campus Walk: Pollinators & Mobility Innovation
UWE Campus Walk: Pollinators & Mobility Innovation
Th
is visit is a short walking tour of the UWE Bristol campus, focusing on pollinator habitats, nature‑positive interventions, and sustainable transport infrastructure.
The tour begins with an introduction to the pollinator and nature‑enhancement projects across campus. Led by a member of the grounds team, the visit will highlight planting schemes, habitat features, and ongoing work to support biodiversity within the university landscape.
The visit then continues to the Mobility Hub, including an overview of the innovative WESTbusStop+ connection hub. The session will outline how the hub operates, its role in sustainable travel, and how it supports movement across the campus and wider city region.
The tour lasts approximately 1.5–2 hours, with short walks and stops for talks. The route covers a modest distance and is considered gentle activity.
The group will meet at UWE at 10:00am and return at approximately midday. If demand is high, a second tour may run in the afternoon.
There is no cost for this trip.
Walking level: This is a low‑activity trip. Anyone with accessibility needs is encouraged to share this information when booking.
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