Activities

Fraxini Workshops

We offer a variety of activity days designed to be fun, engaging and educational. Popular workshops include Green Plants, Habitats, Art and Orienteering. For a bit of everything, our Wild Woods Day brings together elements from our most loved sessions. We also create bespoke workshops tailored to your group’s specific interests and needs.

All sessions run from 10 am to 2 / 2:30 pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

Make Art with Nature!
Inspired by the work of artists like Andy Goldsworthy and James Brunt, this immersive day invites children to explore the beauty of nature through art. In the morning, we’ll observe the colours, shapes and textures found in the natural world, then use found objects to create our own patterns and designs. After lunch, we’ll head into the woods to gather leaves, branches and other natural materials to build a large-scale, collaborative piece of art.

Green Plant Explorers
The day begins with with a brief introduction to the trees at Ashridge and a recap about the structure of green plants. We’ll use bark and leaves to identify the different tree species and measure the trees to estimate their height and ages. In spring and summer, we take a closer look at flowers, exploring their parts and functions. During late summer and autumn, we collect seeds and investigate how they are dispersed.

Exploring Woodland and Meadow Habitats
The day begins with a fun introduction to the plants and animals of Ashridge, along with a quick recap of what a “habitat” means. Exploring the woodland, we search for local wildlife, identify tree species and measure their height. In the Bunkhouse meadow, we discover wildflowers and try to catch some of the minibeasts that call it home, comparing how this habitat differs from the woodland.

Woodland Orienteering Adventure
This half-day activity teaches children how to read and plot map grid points before heading out on a circular orienteering trail. After a quick safety briefing, they explore in groups—either independently (with at least 5 adult helpers) or with an adult guide. You can choose between Standard Orienteering (find five posts and collect letters to complete a unique code) or Escape Room (solve puzzles at each post, then crack the final code to “escape” the Bunkhouse).

A Little Bit of Everything!
A day of exploration, creativity and connection with nature. We begin with a woodland walk, taking time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest. Next, we search for minibeasts and work together to build a den using natural materials. After lunch, we gather leaves and branches to create a large, collaborative artwork inspired by the woods.

Design your Perfect Day in the Woods
Whether you're building dens, spotting minibeasts, or creating natural art, you'll enjoy time immersed in the woods. You'll have the chance to choose three or four activities from our list, and we'll tailor the day to fit as many in as possible. Activities can include a minibeast hunt or bug hotel building, meet a tree, den building, creating natural art, going on a woodland hike, or trying out orienteering.

Wild Woods for Nursery and Early Years
Spend the day exploring the woods through play, creativity and discovery. We’ll begin with a gentle walk among the trees, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature and searching for minibeasts. Using leaves, twigs and branches, we’ll make woodland art - either a large collaborative piece or small creations for children to take home. After lunch, there’s time to play. We may listen to a story, or work together to build a woodland den from fallen branches. The programme can be adapted to suit your topic or learning journey theme.

What to Bring

Lunch and Water
Please bring a packed lunch and a refillable water bottle. Drinking water is available at the Bunkhouse for refills.

Appropriate Clothing
Children may get dirty, so while school uniforms are acceptable, we recommend wearing PE kits or comfortable non-uniform clothes.
Long trousers or leggings are strongly advised, as the woods have stinging nettles and brambles.

Suitable Footwear
The woods can be muddy, especially after rain. Wellies are best in wet conditions; otherwise, sturdy shoes or trainers.
We have a limited number of wellies in KS1 sizes available to borrow.
Please avoid sandals or flip-flops.

Rain Gear
Activities will go ahead in most weather conditions (except heavy rain or thunderstorms), so please bring a waterproof coat if rain is forecast.

Sun Protection
On sunny days, sunhats and sunblock are essential. Although the woods are shady, we create our large-scale art in the open field near the Bunkhouse.

Rubbish Bags
There is no waste collection at the Bunkhouse. Kindly bring a bin bag and take your rubbish back to school with you.