Parent & Child Groups
‘Woodland Explorers’ are Forest School sessions for children aged 1-5 years on Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.
However, these sessions are not just for the children. We curate a space in which families can meet, connect and unwind. A safe and calm session to bring your little ones and connect with nature and your local community.
Our sessions encourage free-flow, child-led exploration in our private forest space. Explore our mud kitchen, meet some worms in our digging bed, get stuck into a woodland craft and enjoy some stories and a snack around the fire!
Our sessions follow the seasons and allow you and your family to reconnect with the natural rhythms of nature.
What to expect
Our circle time together actually comes at the end of our session – instead we always begin by letting the children delve straight into the forest independently, exploring the woodland with you at their own pace.
Exploration
Discover our beautiful woodlands in a safe and fun way. Rich in wildlife and native plant species.
Creativity
Our activities change weekly depending on the seasons. Check out our Instagram to see what we’ve been up to.
Fires
We have a sheltered fire-pit. Come and enjoy warmth and food at the end of each session.
New Experiences
From using fire strikers to introducing tools our little ones have the opportunity to try new things and take controlled risks
Tasty Fireside Snacks
Enjoy a range of different tasty snacks to finish off the session with songs and stories around the fire!
Imagination
A space that nurtures and feeds your child’s imagination with endless opportunities for open-ended play
What to bring?
Please check the weather before you visit! Although we have good shelter here in the forest, both you and your child will need suitable clothing come rain or shine.
Bowl, Spoon & Cup
Every week please bring a bowl, spoon and cup for our fireside snack. You are welcome to bring your own snacks for you and your child in addition to this.
Suitable clothing
Please dress your child in suitable clothing – plenty of warm layers, a hat, gloves and waterproofs when it’s cold. Snowboots are better than wellies for warmth, but if your child has wellies, plenty of thick socks are advised. When it’s hot, closed shoes, a hat, and long, loose-fitting sleeves and trousers are best for keeping cool but covered up
Wipes & rubbish bag
You may wish to bring wipes and a rubbish bag for your litter. The nearest bins are at the cafe.
Please check the weather before you visit! Although we have good shelter here in the forest, both you and your child will need suitable clothing come rain or shine.
Frequently Asked Questions:
It there a toilet?
There is a compost toilet in our woodland and a public toilet with changing facilities at the cafe, which is open Weds-Sunday.
Is there buggy parking?
There is no buggy parking under cover so please bring your pram rain cover. We can offer tarpaulins to drape over your prams as an extra cover if you need them. Alternatively, bring your little one in a sling or walk to us, where possible!
Parking & Location
Our private Forest School is situated in the woodland behind the cafe.
Please be aware that it can take a little while to walk to us from the car park, which is situated on Long Beach Road.
Please avoid blocking the road by parking within the Willsbridge Mill site itself, as it prevents the bin collectors and cafe delivery drivers from accessing the Mill
Willsbridge Mill
Willsbridge Mill
Bristol
BS30 6EX