Woodland Wanderers forest school comes to Hylands Park
A young child explores the forest school classroom at Hylands Park. Images courtesy of Woodland Wanderers.
Chelmsford City Council is welcoming a brand-new forest school to Hylands Park this autumn, giving children more opportunities to learn, play and explore in the great outdoors.
Woodland Wanderers will offer nature-based learning sessions within Hylands Park’s dedicated outdoor education area, helping local children to get creative, make new discoveries and build confidence in a safe and welcoming setting.
Helping children connect with nature
Woodland Wanderers is led by Clare Houghton, who has 25 years’ experience as a primary school teacher. She’s passionate about taking learning beyond the classroom and helping children connect with the natural environment.
Her forest school sessions are designed to nurture independence and confidence in a safe, supportive outdoor environment. Through nature-themed activities, children will develop their creative, problem-solving and motor skills, while forming new relationships as they learn to work as part of a team. Activities across the sessions range from woodland walks and scavenger hunts to nature crafts, including making small animal shelters and creating their own leaf art.
Woodland Wanderers delivers sessions featuring a range of nature-based activities. Images courtesy of Woodland Wanderers.
Regular sessions throughout the year
The first Woodland Wanderers sessions will launch this November, offering regular outdoor learning at Hylands Park for ages two to 11 across two different groups:
Little Saplings
Taking place 10-11.30am every Monday from 9 November, Little Saplings sessions provide gentle outdoor play, sensory and nature-based crafts for children aged two to five, alongside a parent or carer. Each group is limited to 15 children.
Woodland Explorers
On the first and third Saturday of each month, these 90-minute sessions will give children aged six to 11 the chance to explore the outdoors, tackle activities and learn more about woodland habitats. Parents and carers can leave children with the forest school team and return at the end of the session. Each group is limited to 15 children.
The outdoor classroom at Hylands Park. Image courtesy of Woodland Wanderers.
Councillor Jennie Lardge, Deputy Leader of Chelmsford City Council and Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure, says the forest school at Hylands provides an important opportunity for children to develop a connection with nature:
“"It is incredibly important to nurture a love of the great outdoors in our future generations. Not only is it beneficial for their mental and physical health to get outside and explore our natural world, but it also helps create an ecologically conscious generation of children, who will help to protect and support our natural world in the years to come.
Cllr Jennie Lardge, Deputy Leader of Chelmsford City Council and Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure
"An interest in nature develops in many children from a very young age, and Woodland Wanderers’ forest school sessions provide a safe and engaging space from which this interest can grow into a lifelong passion for our trees, plants, bugs and wildlife."
Clare Houghton is delighted to be moving Woodland Wanderers to the inspiring setting of Hylands Park:
““This is an amazing opportunity to take the Woodland Wanderers project to the stunning Hylands Park. I couldn’t think of anywhere better to conduct Forest School sessions, and I hope the children and parents will enjoy their time with us.
Clare Houghton, Woodland Wanderers
“We provide a safe, fun place for children to enjoy their time outdoors, make new discoveries and make the most of their natural surroundings.”
Plan your visit
Woodland Wanderers sessions start from £16 per child, with a 10% discount available when two or more siblings attend together. Plus, forest school attendees can enjoy 10% off at The Deli café in the Stables.
The outdoor learning space is located to the left of the main Hylands House car park. Free parking is available for Woodland Wanderer families via a session permit.
Find details of future Woodland Wanderers sessions and booking information on their Instagram or email woodlandwanderers.forestschool@gmail.com.
