Our woodland setting
Changing the face of early years settings
A quick tour of our site
Set across a vibrant and varied outdoor space, Forest School For Life offers children a unique opportunity to learn, play and thrive in nature. Our woodland setting is more than just a backdrop – it’s an active part of the learning journey. Learning hands-on, moving within natural spaces, planting, growing, harvesting and being around animals. All of this gives our children a much deeper understanding of how to care for all things living; themselves and others included.
Every area of our site has been carefully designed to support outdoor education, helping children connect with the natural world while developing key life skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences.
The Roost - a family space for transitional conversations
Our adventurers begin their day at the Roost; a welcoming transitional space for early years learning.
With a warm and sensory atmosphere, our Roost supports children at the start and end of the day. Children start their day around the warmth of the campfire, signing songs and welcoming each other into the session. This area creates space and opportunity for families to liaise with practitioners.
Once we’re all settled in, we discuss the adventures for the day!
We start our days with a risk assessment and a slow sensory nature walk through the woodlands. Sometimes we stop at the pond, sometimes we explore the meadow, other times we follow the characters from our stories through the fairy walks to expand our imagination and ask pondering questions!
The Den
Upon arriving at the Den, our main camp for the day, we are welcomed in by delicious smells of the outdoor kitchen which is firing up to prepare us a nourishing hot lunch!
The Pond – A Living Classroom
The pond area is a place of wonder, teeming with wildlife and discovery.
Whether it’s spotting tadpoles, studying insect life, or learning about lifecycles and habitats, this peaceful corner of our site offers rich opportunities for natural science and curiosity-led learning.
Children are supported to explore safely and respectfully, developing both knowledge and a deep sense of care for the environment.
The Meadow
Nestled in the heart of Forest School for Life, our Meadow is a safe, open space designed for children to regulate and unwind, explore, and connect with nature. Whether it’s a group picnic in the grass, a bug-hunting adventure, or simply a place to breathe in the fresh air, our meadow offers a slice of calm for all ages. With thoughtfully maintained pathways that weave like a maze, have seasonal wildflowers, and plenty of space to roam, it’s a perfect spot for the children to find their sense of flow.
Permaculture
Our Permaculture Area, a flourishing, edible jungle where every season brings new flavours, textures, and smells. We eat what we grow. From blossoming fruit trees to hidden patches of herbs and berries, everything is grown with care and shared generously with the community (apart from the tasty treasures our young explorers munch on first!). It’s a playful, ever-changing space that blends food, fun, and sustainability, inviting children to learn, harvest, and reconnect with the land together.
The Nest
The Nest is incredibly welcoming. Team Wildlife’s hub for all things wild, curious, and full of life. This is our natural history hideaway, a cosy, creature-filled space where children and families can explore skulls, feathers, fossils, and fascinating finds from the world just outside the door. Part mini-museum, part storytelling and curricula-led Den. The Nest invites young naturalists to dig deeper into the lives of local wildlife, ask questions, and spark a lifelong love for nature. This is the base for holiday clubs and home education family groups.
Respite areas - space to breathe
A big part of our children’s education also involves being in touch with their emotional wellbeing. Our respite areas offer calm, sheltered space for children to rest, reflect or self-regulate when needed. They can choose to take a nap, read a book or just take a quiet moment.
Surrounded by nature, our sensory-rich respite areas are gentle spaces where children can feel grounded and supported – an important part of our holistic approach to education.
The Hide (Coming soon)
Coming in 2026. The Hide will be a peaceful, purpose-built shelter overlooking our pond. A quiet space for wildlife watching and wonder. Designed with all ages in mind, it offers low-level viewing ideal for even the tiniest nature-lovers. From glinting beetles on the water’s edge to newts and frogs nestled among the reeds. The Hide invites babies to slow down, look closer, and share nature’s quiet moments from a whole new perspective.
Next steps
We’d love to show you around our forest school in person. You’ll have the opportunity to see all the different areas in use, and ask all the questions you have! Please use the buttons below to get in touch or book a visit.