Environmental education forms the basis for this trail through a number of museums in West Yorkshire.

The Green Trail starts at the National Coal Mining Museum for England located on the A642 halfway between Wakefield and Huddersfield with easy access from both the M1 and M62.

Coal has been mined in Yorkshire for many years; at least since the time of the Romans. The National Coal Mining Museum is based in the historic colliery of Caphouse, situated within the Yorkshire Countryside. The museum aims to give an insight into mining times, both past and present, and it also provides an opportunity for study of the surrounding environmental issues.

Photo: The National Coal Mining Museum is especially good for education. Picture courtesy: NCM

In the museum you can go on the underground tour down into the mine. Here you can study the fossils, rocks and soils and learn about the formation of coal. Back on the surface you can take time to walk around the museum and examine the issues of pollution, coal extraction and the effect of mining on the local environment. In the grounds of the museum a nature trail takes you through a mature mixed woodland travelling along the banks of a stream.

From the National Coal Mining Museum we head north to Bagshaw Museum in Batley.

Bagshaw Museum is situated north of the wooded area of Wilton Park in Batley. The museums collections cover the theme of local and natural history; and exploring the world beyond. Within the museum you can explore 'The Enchanted Forest', a recreated rainforest in the heart of the museum and see it's collections of natural history, including a rock pool exhibit. In the grounds of Bagshaw Museum, you can visit the Butterfly Conservation Centre containing the largest collection of butterflies and moths in the area and walk the 35 acres of parkland.

Photo: Within the museum you can explore 'The Enchanted Forest', a recreated rainforest in the heart of the museum.

Now we head a short distance north, along the A652 to Birstall to Oakwell Hall Country Park.

Oakwell Hall is set in 100 acres of country park, covering a wide range of habitats including woodlands, wetland, ponds and streams. There are nature trails , a permanent orienteering course as well as a wildlife garden and the discover Oakwell exhibition that introduces children to the environment of a country park.

From Birstall we join the motorway and head into Leeds and Temple Newsam House.

This Tudor-Jacobean mansion is set in 917 acres of parkland landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in the 1760's and contains seven specialist gardens. Contained within the parkland is Home Farm, a working farm, with rare breeds of livestock. There is also a nature trail that takes you around the grounds of the House, through woodland and over streams.

Finally, we head north again, through Leeds and along the A61 to Harewood House.

Harewood's grounds cover around 6000 acres. This is divided into the house, with its Designated collections, and public parkland. The park includes a three and half acre bird garden that houses over 120 species of birds. These include a glass sided pool for underwater observation and a lake. A nature trail takes you around the grounds where there are opportunities for water and woodland study and pond dipping and minibeasting. Animal handling and talks are also available.