Fraxini Activity Timetables
The timetables below are examples only – each day can be tailored to your group’s needs.
They’re designed to show how a day might flow, but nothing is set in stone. Every activity day is flexible, and we’ll shape the schedule around your priorities and learning goals. If you need more time for reflection, prefer an earlier lunch or want to swap in seasonal activities, we’ll adjust accordingly.
Throughout, we’ll make sure the day runs smoothly and efficiently, so your group gets the most out of the experience.
Art Attack Timetable
10 - 10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge, we head out into the woods.
10:40am
Colour scavenger hunt – is everything all the same green or can the children collect evidence showing different shades of green?
11:00am
Found object pattern making.
12:00pm
Lunch and time to play.
1:00pm
Giant art – working together (in classes) the children produce a piece of natural art linked to what they have seen at Ashridge. Once the art has been admired and photographed, it is taken apart.
2 - 2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before returning to school.
Green Plants Timetable
10 –10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge and its trees, we head out into the woods.
10:45am
Tree Survey – use leaves to help identify different tree species and count how many of each we spot during our walk.
11:15am
Meet a Tree – measure tree height and estimate age. We’ll encounter some truly ancient trees!
11:45am
Leaf Quiz – test your new knowledge and see how many leaves you can now name.
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Flowers or Seeds Activity – a seasonal activity exploring plants in more detail.
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
Habitats - Timetable
10–10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge and its trees and animals, we head out into the woods.
11:00am
Woodland Habitat Exploration – We’ll begin with a minibeast hunt, looking for signs of larger woodland animals. Using simple measuring techniques, we’ll identify and measure trees to estimate their height. We’ll also observe the woodland’s colours, consider its climate and discuss how the animals we find are suited to live here.
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Meadow Habitat Investigation – Around the Bunkhouse, we’ll explore the meadow habitat and compare it to the woodland. Using sweep nets, we’ll sample the meadow’s minibeast population, identify local plants and measure their height. We’ll observe the meadow’s colours and climate, and discuss whether the same animals live in both habitats -and why some species may be different.
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
Orienteering Timetable
10–10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
Brief introduction to Ashridge, followed by learning how to plot points on a map grid.
10:40am
Children plot points on their maps, have them checked, then set off into the woods.
All groups follow the same trail but visit different locations along it.
The route is about 1 mile, but expect some doubling back and a few wrong turns!
11:30-11.45am
Return to the Bunkhouse to solve puzzles or check the secret code.
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Choose one or two activities, including: Natural art, den building, minibeast hunt, tree identification and measuring.
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
Wild Woods Timetable
10–10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge and its trees, we head out into the woods.
10:45am
Scavenger Hunt — search for things to see, hear and collect as we make our way to the minibeast hunt area.
11:00am
Minibeast Hunt in the woods.
11:30am
Den Building.
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Minibeast-themed natural art to take home.
1:20pm
Giant Group Art — work together as a class to create a large picture.
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
Pick 'n' Mix Timetable
A day of activities – chosen by you: You’ll spend the day enjoying the outdoors at Ashridge, with time in the woods among the trees no matter which activities you choose. There will be time for at least three different activities from the list below. We’ll do our best to fit them all in. Activities can be adapted to match your topic or learning theme.
Activities to choose from:
Minibeast Hunt – Search for bugs in woodland or grassland.
Minibeast Hotel Building – Create a home for insects to leave at Ashridge or take back to school.
Meet a Tree – Learn about different tree species and measure them.
Den Building – Construct your own shelter in our new den-building area.
Natural Art – Collaborate on a large artwork using branches, leaves and other natural materials.
Woodland Hike – Enjoy a walk in the woods while spotting items from a checklist.
Orienteering – Learn how to plot map coordinates and use them to find hidden letters.
Orienteering Escape Room (KS2 only) – Plot map coordinates to locate puzzle bags, solve the puzzles and discover the secret code word.
Example Timetable:
10–10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge and its trees, we head out into the woods.
10:40am
Activity 1
11:10am
Activity 2
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Activity 3 (and Activity 4, if chosen).
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
Wild Woods for Nursery and Early Years Timetable (Example)
10–10:30am
Arrive at the Bunkhouse, use the toilets and enjoy a snack (if you’ve brought one).
10:30am
After a short introduction to Ashridge and its trees, we head out into the woods.
10:45am
Scavenger Hunt — search for things to see, hear and collect as we make our way to the minibeast hunt area.
11:10am
Minibeast Hunt in the woods.
11:30am
Natural Art — create a picture using leaves, seeds, and sticks collected earlier.
12:00pm
Lunch break and free play time.
1:00pm
Story time.
1:20pm
Den building.
2–2:30pm
Clear up, wash hands and use toilets before heading back to school.
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Our Fraxini workshops are held at the Bunkhouse, Aldbury, Bucks HP23 5SE - located within the Ashridge Estate.