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Final Woodland Words of 2021...

2021 was quite a year, am sure it was not like any of us had planned, with challenges, knocks and bumps along the way (I certainly felt a number this year). That said it has been a year of reminders - remind us what is important, remind us of what is on our doorstep, remind us to treasure our loved ones, remind us to make time, remind us to be kind, remind us of local areas and to be grateful for what we have, not what we do not have.

It has taken a pandemic to remind many people what natural beauty we have on our doorsteps, or perhaps it was the time that people needed to recognise it and have time to spend in nature to appreciate it. Either way, we are all spending more time in nature and valuing it for what it is at that moment in time, as well as the lasting impacts it has on our day to day lives. 

This year has seen many new groups access the woods, whether for wild play, fun, education, well-being, therapy, time out or 'just because'! We hope to be able to continue to offer the various services and space in 2022. 

However, it is now that time of year when we give nature and the woods a bit of a well deserved rest. We also need to recharge our staff batteries, so the office will be closing from 5pm on 22nd December 2021 and reopening on Monday 10th January 2022. 

May I take this opportunity, to give all of you a heart-felt thank you for all your support and kindness this year in supporting a local, small business that I am utterly passionate about. 

 

Coming up in 2022...

Treetots

Autumn got off to a flying start, with lots of new adventures in the woods, ending with many a festive wonder and craft in the woods towards the end of the block. 

Treetots sessions run on;
* Thursday 10.00am - 11.00am
* Friday 9.30am - 10.30am

Sessions are popular, so don't leave it until the last minute to book, you don't want to miss out, so book your space around the campfire now!

Please bring your own mugs for a hot drink. We also ask you all bring your own bottle of pocket hand sanitiser and a face mask.
 
£40.00 per block pass.  
BOOK HERE...>

 

February Half Term - Woodland Adventure Days

Woodland Adventure Days are where children can come without their parents to enjoy a day in the woods, building fires, exploring, climbing, cooking, covering themselves in camouflage paint and running wild. Your children will be happy and exhausted by the time they go home! They are an excellent way to give your children a day out whilst you work. 

We are running our Woodland Adventure Days during the February Half Term on;
* Thursday 24th February 2022
* Friday 25th February 2022

Why not give your child an adventurous day out this half term? We will be providing our usual adventures that will allow some much needed freedom, space and play for children. 

£30 per child
BOOK HERE...>

 

Birthday Parties

As everyone starts to catch up on missed birthday celebrations - what better location than to celebrate OUTSIDE in the woods with a group of friends. 

We have various options available so check out the website for more details here...>

 

Splat Paintball

This low impact version of paintball is ideal for children, families and friends. Splat Paintball is the most popular new birthday party adventure for children aged 8 and up! 

Organise a birthday party, gathering of friends or family get together! It is not just for children. A day full of communication, team work, stealthness and speed, why not bring your work colleagues for a team day out?

More information here...>

 

Team Building

Looking for a challenging day out for your team?

We have a variety of corporate outdoor activity events for the private industry sector, the forces, and other large groups who simply wish to have some fun or gain some knowledge and skills in the activities we offer. 

We work with other local organisations to ensure that your day or weekend is truly unique, rewarding and memorable! Contact us to discuss options and we can get planning! 

More information here

Hoping your Christmas is full of festive happiness and joy. 

Festive wishes
Louise and the Woodland Team

The sun is finally shining and the holidays are here!

Summer has arrived and that means the woods are busy again with many school visits, camping and adventures. Over the summer holidays we have planned a huge range of activities for young people from age 8 to 16. 

Join us for our Woodland Adventure Days, our Mini Wet & Wild Camp (many spaces are booked already), Twilight fire, food & fun sessions and make a splash with our Water Day. There is also an opportunity to come and camp in the woods as a family and stay in our beautiful bell tents, soaking up the nature and gaze at the stars.

The bees are buzzing, the butterflies are fluttering around the woods and we are looking forward to welcoming you for a summer of adventure!

Please bear with us as we get back in to the swing of things. It's a really busy time of the year and due to the nature of our work we are not always able to be by the computer.

It's so lovely to see the woods coming back to life with the sound of children's voices and happy campers too! The good news is that we are now offering Birthday Parties with restrictions in place, see the party section of the website for details. 

As a small local business we are still hanging in there and continue to appreciate all the support, positive correspondence and reassuring understanding we have had over the last year or so - a heart felt thank you to you all. 

Playful wishes
Louise and the woodland team

 

 

Treetots

Our last summer Treetots sessions are finished but we are back in September 2021 for our autumn term.

We have lots of new adventures planned.

Bookings are now open for Treetots on a Thursday 10.00am - 11.00am and a Friday 9.30am - 10.30am and another from 11.30am - 12.30pm. 

Sessions are proving very popular, so don't leave it until the last minute to book, you don't want to miss out, so book your space around the campfire now!

Booking links are open for the September / October block here...>

We will still request that only one adult comes with the toddler, in order to minimise social contact. 

Please bring your own mugs for a hot drink. We also ask you all bring your own bottle of pocket hand sanitiser and a face mask.
 
£40.00 per block pass.  
Book here...>

 

Woodland Adventure Days

Stuck for something to do during the school holidays? Then look no further, our Woodland Adventure Days are where children can come without their parents to enjoy a day in the woods, building fires, exploring, climbing, cooking, covering themselves in camouflage paint and running wild. Your children will be happy and exhausted by the time they go home! 

They are an excellent way to give your children a day out whilst you work. We are running our Woodland Adventure Days weekly throughout the summer holidays.

Why not give your child an adventurous day out this summer? We will be providing our usual adventures that will allow some much needed freedom, space and play for children. 

£30 per child or FREE if you have a HHH code.

The dates are live and open for bookings on the Playwaze website for the summer holidays. 

Dates:
July 2021: Thursday 29th & Friday 30th

August 2021: Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, Thursday 12th, Friday 13th, Thursday 19th, Friday 20th, Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and Tuesday 31st

September 2021: Thursday 2nd

Book here...>
or
Booking here with a HAF code...>

 

Water Adventure Day

Love an adventure of the woodland kind? Why not try our Water Adventure Day this summer holiday?

Young people get the chance to go to the North Devon coast for a day of water adventures, including coasteering and stand-up paddle boarding with our partner Active Escape.

A day of sun, sea, surf and laughter, book your place today!

The dates are live and open for bookings on our website.

Dates:
Wednesday 1st September 9am - 5pm.
Young people must be able to swim & be water confident

Book here...>

 

NEW Twilight Fire, Fun & Food

Join us in the woods for some Fire, Food and Fun, a social chill and catch up around the firepit.

Fire lighting, campfire cooking, wild and active games, tracking, watching and listening to wildlife, hanging around in hammocks, climbing and sitting in trees.

Created for teens, aged 12 - 16 years old. A healthy meal will be provided. 

£20 per session or FREE places if you have a HHH code.

The dates are live and open for bookings on the Playwaze website for the summer holidays. 

Dates:
July 2021: Thursday 29th 

August 2021: Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th 

September 2021: Thursday 2nd

Book here...>
or
Booking here with a HAF code...>

 

 

Wet and Wild Adventure Camp

...is back!

Delighted to announce that we will be hosting the awesome camp this summer. If you have a child that loves adventure, camping, laughing and would love a few nights in the woods...then get in touch or book your space now! 

Click here for details

 

Wild Woodland Camping

We are offering our wild camping areas in our beautiful woodland again this year - ideal for a staycation!

Our beautiful 5 metre bell tents can be hired on our Quantock, Exmoor, Brendon and Mendip Bell pitches, each tent can sleep a family of four comfortably.

If you would rather bring your own tent to pitch up for a night or two these can be cited in dedicated areas within the woodland, where there is plenty of space for a family tent.

Our facilities include two composting toilets, with hand wash area and the use of our camp kitchen, with wash-up area for pots etc.

For more information...>

 

School Groups

As schools get used to a new normal, please remember we are here and can support your learners.

Whether that is bringing small groups out on a regular basis, overnight camps or as a one off day trip. Taking bookings for next academic year. 

Do contact us if you would like to discuss options. 

School trip information 
Email u

Covid 19 update: 17th March 2021

Exciting news - we are getting ready to be able to welcome you all back to the woods soon, its been a long time! We will be opening up slowly following government guidance, so please be patient with us and make sure that you follow all procedures if booking a session with us. 

When you make a booking please make yourself familiar with the COVID19 POLICY and RISK ASSESSMENT

 

Treetots
The next block is proving very popular, so don't miss out and book your space around the campfire now! Booking links are also open for the June/July block. 

We will still request that only one adult comes with the toddler, in order to minimise social contact. 

Please bring your own mugs for a hot drink. We also ask you all bring your own bottle of pocket hand sanitiser and a face mask.
 
£40.00 per block pass.  
Starts on 22nd / 23rd April 2021

BOOK HERE...>

 

Adventure Days

Why not give your child an adventurous day out this Easter - we are offering some adventure days in the woods. We will be providing our usual adventures that will allow some much needed freedom, space and play for children. 

The dates are live and open for bookings on the website for Easter and May half term holidays. We have been lucky enough to secure some Holiday Activity Funding for those children on free school meals, a very limited number of spaces are available. Contact us for more details. 

Dates: Thursday 8th, Friday 9th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th April. 

BOOK HERE...>

Summer dates and Wet & Wild camps dates to follow soon.

 

School Groups

As schools start to return to a new normal, please remember we are here and can support your learners. Whether that is bringing small groups out on a regular basis, overnight camps or as a one off day trip...when permitted under guidance. 

Do contact us if you would like to discuss options. 
School trip information 
Email us

 

Wild Camping

We will be offering our wild camping areas in our beautiful woodland again this year - ideal for a staycation!

Our beautiful 5 metre bell tents can be hired on our Quantock, Exmoor, Brendon and Mendip Bell pitches, each tent can sleep a family of four comfortably. If you would rather bring your own tent to pitch up for a night or two these can be cited in dedicated areas within the woodland, where there is plenty of space for a family tent.

For more information...>

 

The woods are ready to embrace many new adventures...and so are we! It has been a funny old year, with many challenges for us all. It is weird to think we have not hosted a Woodland Birthday Party now for 12 months, when there would have been one most weekends! As a small local business we are hanging in there and appreciate all the support, positive correspondence and reassuring understanding we have had - a heart felt thank you to you all. 

The woods are changing, acorns are falling, leaves are changing colour and we are adding an extra layer for woodland adventures. We are getting ready for an autumn in the woods, take a look to see what is on if you fancy joining in some fun! When BOOKING an activity please make yourself familiar with the COVID19 POLICY and RISK ASSESSMENT

 

Treetots - the new block starts on the 5th / 6th November. This block is proving very popular, so don't miss out for the next block and book your space around the campfire now! £40.00 per block pass.  

BOOK HERE...>

 

Halloween Treetots

For all those that are under 8 years and want an adventure in the woods over half term - this is for you! You just need to book and bring one adult with you! Friday 30th October 2020. 10.30am - 12.30pm

BOOK HERE...>

 

Adventure Days

Summer is hardly over but we are thinking about October half term already!
Over half term we will be running our Adventure days, of which information can be found on the website. The dates are live and open for bookings on the website. 

BOOK HERE...>

 

School Groups

As schools start to return to a new normal, please remember we are here and can support your learners. Whether that is bringing small groups out on a regular basis or as a one off. Do contact us if you want to discuss options. 

https://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/education-days

COVID 19 Update: 21st July 2020

We are opening! Hurray!

Over the summer holidays we will be offering a range of services for children, adults and family groups. We have put together social distancing precautions and outlined our guidelines from making a booking to the arrival and departure onsite. We request that all visitors to the woods follow our guidelines in order to not only follow the recommended government procedures, but for all our safety and well-being.  

 

Please be patient as we try to keep up to date with the government changes and easing in restrictions. There will be a slight increase in some of the costs to allow for the additional cleaning materials and time to ensure the highest standards are able to be met.

  

When BOOKING an activity or wild camping pitch please make yourself familiar with the new procedures and COVID 19 Policy 

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Wild Camping:

 

Throughout the summer we are offering two wild camping pitches at any one time. Our beautiful 5 metre bell tents can be hired on our Quantock Bell and Exmoor Bell pitches, each tent can sleep a family of four comfortably.

 

If you would rather bring your own tent to pitch up for a night or two these can be cited on our Bendon and Mendip pitches, where there is plenty of space for a family tent.

Quantock & Exmoor Bell tent hire: £65.00 per bell, per night

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/36305433
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/36328030

Brendon & Mendip pitch hire: £45.00 per pitch, per night

https://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/wild-camping

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Treetots Holiday Club:

 

We are able to run a Treetots holiday club during the summer holiday which we do not normally offer. This will be run on a Friday morning only from 31st July to 4th September (6 sessions) and will be limited to seven bookings (of one adult and one child). Depending on demand we may be able to offer two time sessions.

The times have changed to allow for the staggered time of arrival and departure, you will be given your time of arrival and departure at the point of booking. We are requesting that only one adult comes with the toddler, in order to minimise social contact. There is also a price increase to allow for additional times and cleaning materials.

It is hoped that we will be able to resume the usual Thursday and Friday Treetots from September onwards.

Please bring your own mugs for a hot drink and snacks. We also ask you all bring your own bottle of pocket hand sanitiser and a face mask.

 

Treetots Holiday Club: 9.30am – 11.00am, £40.00 per block pass.  

[if this group is at capacity and there is the demand we can run another group from 12noon to 1.30pm]

 

https://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/treetots

 

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Adventure Days:

We will be hosting our Adventure Days throughout the summer holidays, there will be certain restrictions in place so that we are following the latest government guidance, as follows;

‘As the Prime Minister confirmed in his announcement on 23rd June, providers who run community activities, holiday clubs, after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school provision for children will be able operate over the summer holiday with safety measures in place.

During the summer holiday period these settings can open to all children, provided they put in place the appropriate protective measures.

We are recommending that providers as far as possible keep children in small, consistent groups of no more than 15 children and one or two staff members.

You are also advised to choose settings that are local to you. Where possible, parents, carers and children are encouraged to walk or cycle to the setting or to use a private vehicle. If you are using a private vehicle to take your child to an activity, you should avoid using it to take other children from outside your household to the same activity even if they are in the same small, consistent group.

Anyone who has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, such as a raised temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste, should not attend an out-of-school setting and should follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.’

 

As settings reopen, it is crucial that we are minimising the risk of transmission of the virus due to increased mixing between different groups of children. For this reason, we request you send your child to the same setting consistently. If your child is attending other settings we request that you refrain from booking an adventure day until there is further easing.

 

There will be a limited number of children each day, there will social distancing measures in place for the drop off and collection. Upon booking you will be given a drop off / collection time. Your child will be walked to the car park and should be dropped off and collected from there. We are currently not planning on offering the early bird and night owl service, please do ask if it is required. Children will need to bring their own mug, lunch and drinks bottle. We also ask they bring their own bottle of pocket hand sanitiser and a face mask.

--------------------

Adventure Days: 10.00am – 4.00pm, £30.00 per child, per day

Details for our adventure days can be found here: https://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/adventure-days

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Wet & Wild Camp:

We are able to host our Mini Wet & Wild Camp on the dates advertised but will have to move the Wet & Wild Camp until later in the summer. There will be some significant changes to the way the camps are run.

 

There will be a limited number of children on camp, there will social distancing measures in place. We will request that where possible children bring their own tent.

 

Please contact us if you are interested

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Parties:

At this time we are not able to host birthday parties as we would do normally. However, why not book your birthday child and their friends on to an adventure day together. That way they can have a blast and adventure in the woods with their friends – all day!!!

 

Due to the ever-changing nature of things at the minute, we are keeping up to date with the latest Government advice and guidance. 

We are hoping that, with recent developments allowing people to spend more time outside, we will soon be able to resume activities.

In England, campsites and caravan parks can open on 4th July, as long as shared facilities are kept clean. However, close proximity venues such as soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to stay closed for now.
 

We are putting together social distancing precautions ready to go for when this restriction is lifted. 

When BOOKING an activity or wild camping pitch please make yourself familiar with the new procedures we’ll have in place:

• Should you or your household, pre activity or stay show the symptoms below, you’ll need to follow Government guidelines and contact us as soon as possible:
• high temperature
• new, continuous cough
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

 

• Keeping our distance: A minimum of 1m distance between leader and participant / guest to be adhered to at all times.

 

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• Wild Camping pitches are available to one family / bubble per pitch. There are only two pitches in the woods at any one time.
• Guests will need to bring everything they need for an enjoyable stay, bringing their own tent and all they need for a nights (or more) stay in the woods.
• There are two compost toilets and covered areas. So each Wild Pitch will be allocated a compost toilet and covered area for their use only.
• The woods are big enough to practice safe social distancing; we will provide guidelines on this upon booking. 
• Why not use this amazing opportunity, as it is rare not to share the woods with other users, to spend some quality time in the woods with loved ones in your bubble or treat someone who needs some wild nature time to a night in the woods. 
• We are hoping, again when permitted, to be able to offer our beautiful Bell Tents for some Wild Camping. 

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• Activity equipment issued to you is yours for the duration and will not be shared or passed around.
• Kit and equipment will be cleaned down with a suitable disinfectant.
• Hand wash or hand gel station will be available and participants will be required to use it both pre and post activity.

I hope that everyone is well, as whilst there continues to be many challenges and changes to the new "normal", I am hearing and seeing great inspiration of how people are adapting. 
 

With the latest government updates saying that we must continue to be careful with restrictions in place due to Covid-19, we are unable to function as we would do normally at this time of year.  

We are not able to start the next block of Treetots as normal. However, I am going to be running the virtual Treetots for this block (until 16th / 17th July) or until we are able to welcome you all with open arms in the woods.

Treetots:

·         Thursday 10.00am – 10.30am

·         Friday 9.30am – 10.00am
 

So I know how many people want to join in, please can you book via the new website. Here is the link - https://www.woodlandplaycentre.co.uk/treetots

Click the BOOK NOW button for the day you want to join in and it will take you to a DONATE PayPal button. It should be that easy, let me know if it is not!

 

Wild Camping:

We are aiming to allow limited and booked Wild Camping slots in the woods once restrictions permit, hopefully at the beginning of July onwards. 

One family will be able to book a Wild Camping pitch, bringing their own tent and all they need for a nights (or more) stay in the woods. We have two compost toilets, so if the restrictions permit we may be able to allow two families to Wild Camp in the woods at one time, as there would be a covered area and compost toilet per family. The woods are big enough to practice safe social distancing, we will provide guidelines on this. 

Why not use this amazing opportunity, as it is rare not to share the woods with other users, to spend some quality time in the woods with loved ones in your bubble or treat someone who needs some wild nature time to a night in the woods. 

We are hoping, again when permitted, to be able to offer our beautiful Bell Tents for some Wild Camping. 

More information here on the wild-camping page or contact us if you have a date in mind. 

 

And finally...we have a YouTube Channel! Those of you that know me, embracing technology is not normally "my thing" but I am trying! So please take a look and subscribe as will be adding some footage from our wildlife camera soon.  

 

Remember, when this is all over we will be here and so will the woods, ready for lots of adventures.

Louise and team

Following the PM's announcement last night where new strict rules were implemented on us, stating we should only leave home only to exercise once a day, travel to and from work where "absolutely necessary", shop for essential items and to fulfil any medical or care needs.

Therefore, we are not able to deliver any sessions in the woods for this period, but we will be open for adventures as soon as this storm passes and boy we will all be ready for some outdoor time!

Stay safe, be kind and help your neighbours and loved ones. 

Following the announcement that all schools in the UK are to shut until further notice, will undoubtedly cause additional worry and strain on family life.
 
We are following government advice and have taken into consideration the space in the woods and the fact that it allows adequate social distancing - click here for more information...> 
 
Therefore we are still open and as a way to help we would like to offer some EXTENDED CHILDCARE options, with priority spaces for front line NHS staff and care workers.
 
Extended Childcare
In light of the schools closing and the impact to many of you as working parents. We are offering a limited number of spaces for children to come to ‘wood school’. They will have the equivalent of half an acre per child in the woods! We will implement social distancing and strict hygiene measures. We ask that children bring their own lunch and mug. We are currently offering the extended childcare for children aged 6 years and over, do speak to us if you have a younger child. We are going to initially offer this extended childcare on the following days (subject to our health);

• Thursday 26th March
• Friday 27th March
• Thursday 2nd April
• Friday 3rd April

Times are 10.00am to 4.00pm with the option to extend to a full day (9am-5pm) for £35 per child.

BOOK HERE...>

We do not normally do sibling discounts but we will be on this occasion. Contact us

Please let us know if alternative days are requested and we will see if we can accommodate this. We are also looking into the possibility of the extended childcare continuing into the summer term until further notice.
 
What is not to like....your children are learning outdoors - a large space and not many children and you get work as best you can under the circumstances! Contact us to book a space or ring 07775 941353. 
 
Do not come to the woods if;

• One person in your household has a new persistent cough or fever, everyone living there must stay at home for 14 days.
• You are feeling unwell (such as a common cold, sore throat etc) but think it is not COVID-19, please also stay at home. We all want to keep our immune systems as healthy as possible during this time.
• You are over 70, pregnant or have known under lying health issues.
• You or anyone in your household should be self-isolating

 
We ask that you;

• Bring your own mug / cup to the sessions. We will NOT be providing the usual cups
• Maintain a social distance from people (2 metres), following Government guidelines
• Follow and maintain Government hygiene guidelines
• If you feel that you do not want to attend the sessions, we will arrange a transfer of your sessions so you do not miss out.

 
Our aim
We aim to continue to provide an outstanding service that allows learning to take place outdoors, people to attend that are not in social isolation, support our frontline NHS staff, support working parents and give children an alternative to staying indoors. Whilst not compromising the health and well-being of anyone.
 
Advice and guidance on coronavirus is changing daily. We are monitoring the situation and will endeavour to fulfil your needs, as long as we can. As you know I am deeply passionate about what we offer in the woods and the magic we create together in a beautiful space.

Louise and team

Treetots
We will be continuing with Treetots for those that would like to still come along. There are three more weeks of this block and we are still planning to run the next block and bookings are open as advertised.
 
Easter Adventure Days
We are planning our adventure days as advertised, we will be adding in some additional days to help those of you that need to work. We will also be limiting the number of children that can attend these days.
 
Easter Family Nut Hunt
Sadly, given the type of event this is and that we often have families with Grandparents attending, we have decided to CANCEL this event, it was scheduled for Friday 10th April.