So you wish to get outdoors and sample a few activities? Here are a few suggestions for places to go and for organisations that offer courses and advice
Wild places suitable for day trips
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events Loads of special activities in parks and gardens near you. See their new “Wild Child campaign”
www.sustrans.org.uk or www.nationalcyclenetwork.co.uk The National cycle network. Take a day or a week and discover a safe cycle route that suits the families ability.
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk Find a wood near you owned by the trust and go and explore
www.aonb.org.uk Areas of national beauty in England and Wales
www.breathingplaces.org The BBC has a nationwide campaign to encourage people to make or visit a wild place or “breathing space”. They list what is available and happening near you.
www.naturalengland.org.uk A wealth of ideas and places to visit
www.nationaltrail.co.uk Information of walks and trails near you
www.openwoodlands.co.uk Great site which helps you locate woodland near you with public access, gives information on the type of woodland, any organised activities there etc.
Organisations offering activity programmes
www.wildforwords.co.uk Oxfordshire UK.
Willa Douglas offers amazing courses in her magical garden, connecting children, language and nature. She empowers children to explore the English language in many forms and to experiment with different styles of writing, safe in a leafy wilderness in the heart of Oxfordshire. A magical opportunity for any child struggling with reading and writing!
www.earthtrust.org.uk Oxfordshire UK
www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk Bristol UK
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk Nationwide UK
www.chilternsaonb.org Buckinghamshire UK
www.americanhiking.org/ntd.aspx USA
Camping wild
www.lakedistrictcampingbarns.co.uk an alternative to camping under canvas
www.wildernessgathering.co.uk An annual gathering of bushcraft experts and enthusiasts. Camp wild for 1-3 days and take part in daily courses ranging from knife safety, arrow making workshops, wild food to tracking. A great introduction to the going wild ethos and a fun family weekend.
www.thehappycampers.co.uk/campsites/campfires/ If you are looking for somewhere to go to have a more wild camping experience look at this site. It lists campsites all over the UK which do allow campfires.
http://www.campingmole.co.uk/articles/wildcamping# This website is great as it gives a comprehensive list of campsites which are “wilder” than most and suggests how and where you can wild camp if you want a really wild experience!
www.fsc.org.uk An organisation that offer camps for young people which has its roots in the woodcraft movement.
www.ukcampsite.co.uk A useful website which has a page listing lots of campsites in the UK and France which allow campfires
Small Basic campsites for tents only
www.eweleaze.co.uk/camping Farm campsite on cliffs in Dorset, tents only, dogs and fires allowed only open in August
www.blackberrywood.com Blackberry wood campsite Ditchling Brighton. 20 tents pitched in private woodland clearings, campfires encouraged.
www.runnagecampingbarns.co.uk Farm offering small campsite for tents by river in heart of Dartmoor national park. Small fires and dogs allowed if kept under control
Tir Abbey Farm Campsite, Swansea Tel 01792 864452 Back to nature campsite with just 2 compost toilets and water standpipe no mod cons just open fields and peace.
Noongallas Campsite Cornwall Tel 01736 366698 In the depths of Cornish countryside, north of Penzance with views of Mounts Bay. Campfires and barbeques encouraged beautiful woods onsite.
Camping on a working farm in Devon promotes the real wild camping experience with campfires etc www.trillfarm.co.uk/pages/camping
Organisations offering environmental and bushcraft activities
Large organisations who organise camps/holidays/days of activities for young people
www.forestschools.com Innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. Find a forest school near you or find out how to set up your own!
www.farmsforcitychildren.co.uk Children’s writer Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare founded the charity Farms for City Children back in 1976. They offer urban children from schools all over the country a unique chance to live and work together for a whole seven days on one of three real farms in the heart of the countryside. An amazing, life-changing week of ‘muck and magic’ on the farm.
www.scoutingresourses.org.uk Great website with loads of ideas for outside games
www.scouts.org.uk Wherever you live there will be a group offering fun and adventure for boys and girls near you.
Bushcraft courses, children’s wild parties, or family weekends. Some supply equipment:
www.woodlandsurvivalcrafts.com
Making bows and arrows
Tracking and finding your way courses
Keeping safe and first aid courses
Wild food courses
Organisations you can volunteer in countryside management
www.woodlandtrust.org.uk links to getting involved and volunteering local to you.
What a brilliant list of resources – thank you!