Our Forest Schools
We work in Warrington, Manchester, Merseyside and the surrounding area. Our forest schools are at sites that we operate in under licence agreement with third parties such as the Woodland Trust or within schools and nurseries.
If you are a school or nursery and are thinking of developing a forest school then why not have a look at our case studies and contact us. We can help. If you own a wood and would like us to run a forest school then please get in touch. Come on one of our events either with other parents and children or we can arrange your own session.
Base Camp Activities
Once we’ve done our main activity we retire to base camp. But which wood suits you? We tailor sessions to suit the site and weather but generally at each site we have the following although these can change from time to time.
Lumb Brook at Appleton
Please note the Lumb Brook Valley site is unavailable from January to June as we ‘rest’ the site.
Hammocks Stream play gutter chutes dam building SLIDE MUD
The site’s stream is great for water play so spare clothes, water proofs and wellies a good idea. This site is all about the stream - expect to get wet! Wellies and waterproofs for kids and grown ups.
Great for exploring the stream and playing so good for bear hunts and a magnificent backdrop for fairy village making but not so good for dens as hazel has become a bit scarce (its been used for conservation purposes). If you want dens we recommend Gorse Covert Mounds (just over the viaduct at Birchwood).
Gorse Covert Mounds at Birchwood
hammocks bounce net Dens EXPLORING GIANT JENGA
Our base camp is about 10 minutes walk from the car park making it great for hunt activities en-route. Due to mossland rewetting nearby its become very muddy at times so wear wellies. Our best site for dens.
Frodsham Woods
Hammocks Bounce Net BEAR HUNTS
We have moved from Snidley Moor to the newly planted Frodsham Wood on what used to be the Golf Course. This wood will get better and better as the new trees grow but for now it still has the feel of a golf course. Our base camp is near the large golf course in one of the woodland strips between the fairways. Following the woodland strips is great for hunt like activities like bear hunts or egg hunts.
Its quite open so you don’t get the feel of being immersed in woodland like at other sites. It does link to ancient woodland that we can explore (great for schools) but that’s a little far from the car park for little legs.
St Benedicts at Rainhill
Hammocks Meadow games Parachute GIANT JENGA
This wood has its own meadow which is great for parachute games and for longer sessions in inclement weather we can put up our large bell tent with a heated stove.
New Moss Wood at Cadishead, Salford
hammocks bounce net Dens
Birchwood Forest School at Gorse Covert Mounds
Den building on Pestfurlong Moss after conservation work!
We can arrange use of a number of woods in the East Warrington area to help nurseries and schools access woods by walking rather than arranging costly travel. However our main regular use site is Gorse Covert Mounds located just off Junction 11 on the M62 - great if you live in Birchwood, Locking Stumps, Oakwood, Padgate or close to the motorway. Currently we use this fantastic site about once every week with the gracious permission of the Woodland Trust and in cooperation with the Friends of Gorse Covert Mounds. Contact us to book onto an event, follow us on facebook, get directions (parking on Gorse Covert Road, WA3 6UG) and come see us!
Great for . . .
Local families with toddlers Schools Nurseries Pond dipping Getting Muddy Playing Games Hill rolling
Taking care of wildlife Admiring the view of Manchester and the Pennines on Pestfurlong Hill Dragonflies Birds
Conservation Ecology Sampling camp food Visiting Risley Moss nearby Stopping off for lunch at the Poachers pub
Salford Forest School at New Moss Wood, Cadishead
Operating in the Irlam area. New Moss Wood is a Millennium Wood managed by the Woodland Trust. This is a fairly young wood just north of Cadishead on the A57/Liverpool Road. The wood is huge with a network of paths that look very similar so its quite fun getting lost! We support local schools and nurseries to access the outdoors by using the woods for forest school activities as well as running parent toddler sessions.
Contact us to book onto an event, follow us on facebook, get directions (parking on Moss Road, M44 5JT) and come see us!
Great for . . .
Local families with toddlers Schools Nurseries Getting Muddy Playing Games Getting lost
Taking care of wildlife Peace and quiet Dragonflies Birds Making artwork Building shelters
Conservation Ecology Sampling camp food Walking the mosses footpaths Getting the shopping in at Cadishead
Appleton Forest School at Lumb Brook Valley (aka the Dingle)
Please note that use of this site is available from July To December
Come and take a splash in the Dingle stream!
Appleton forest school caters for those living in South Warrington such as Appleton, Latchford, Walton and Stockton Heath.
Our main site is Lumb Brook Valley aka The Dingle. This Woodland Trust wood follows an enchanting stream that has forged through Cheshire sandstone to form a mini valley with sheer sides. There are lots of mature trees including tall beech stretching into the sky. This is the oldest wood we operate in to date and one we feel extremely privileged to have permission to use.
Contact us to book onto an event, follow us on facebook, get directions (lay-by parking on Dingle Lane, WA4 5NB) and come see us!
Great for . . .
Local families with toddlers Schools Nurseries Getting Muddy Playing Games Crossing streams (wear wellies!)
Taking care of wildlife Babbling Brooks & mini waterfalls Dragonflies Birds Making artwork Building shelters
Conservation Ecology Sampling camp food Hugging trees Climbing slopes Flower fairies
Frodsham Forest School at Frodsham Woods
Frodsham forest school caters for those living South of Warrington and is situated just off the M56 at a newly planted wood on the top of Frodsham Hill. This Woodland Trust wood was planted in 2023/24 on an old golf course and boasts some magnificent views overlooking the estuary. The site is still growing and developing so its a little limited however the woodland strips between the old fairway makes a great base camp for hammocks and bounce net as well as a good area for hunt like activities such as bear hunts especially for younger children as you’re never that far from the car. There are fantastic ancient woods nearby to explore but probably too far for toddlers.
Great for . . .
Exploring for Schools Sampling camp food Egg hunts Bear Hunts Amazing views of the Mersey Estuary
Rainhill Forest School at St Benedicts Wood
Rainhill forest school caters for those living in Merseyside - Rainhill, St Helens and is situated close to the M62, M57 and East Lancs at a wood called St Benedicts just north of Rainhill. This Woodland Trust wood is situated on the remains of Rainhill hospital and has its own meadow which used to be a cricket pitch. The meadow lets us do a wider range of activities such parachute games (with a real parachute) and create artwork outside the wood. There are a diverse range of mature trees which is great for identifying and in Autumn collecting conkers and nuts.
Contact us to book onto an event, follow us on facebook, get directions (parking is on site by arrangement) and come see us!
Great for . . .
Exploring Schools Nurseries Meadow games Habitats Conkers and nuts Tree identification
Taking care of wildlife Making artwork Building shelters Toddlers
Conservation Ecology Sampling camp food Customers with less mobility Larger groups
Directions
Birchwood Forest School
Gorse Covert Mounds, Birchwood, warrington
We usually meet at Gorse Covert car park on Gorse Covert Road opposite Falstone Close. https://w3w.co/assets.shepherdess.magazine
Public Transport. The 25 runs from Warrington via the Train Station at Birchwood. See http://www.networkwarrington.co.uk/assets/library/original/pdf/3/timetable-25-25a-25b-26-27-january-2015-web.45172bd6e38fc45599b59f2e9a3925d0.1421084025.pdf
From the M6 Woolston Junction (j21) head towards Birchwood on the B5210. At the large College place roundabout headfollow the signs for Birchwood. Take the 3rd major exit onto the expressway and drive over the M6. At the Dog Bone roundabout get into the right hand lane heading for the Birchwood Shopping Centre. At the BP Garage take the 1st exit up Ordnance Ave. At the 3rd roundabout (Risley Moss) take the 1st exit.
At the next (forest park) roundabout take the 4th exit towards Gorse Covert Local Services. At the T junction turn left onto Gorse Covert Road – follow the road round and the small Gorse Covert Mounds car park is on the left after a bus stop. If parking on the road please park considerately – cheers!
From J11 M62 – Normally the easiest way to GC Mounds. From J11 head into Birchwood/Warrington on the expressway. At the next traffic lights MOSS GATE turn left. This takes you to the forest park roundabout - take the 2nd exit towards Gorse Covert Local Services. At the T junction turn left onto Gorse Covert Road – follow the road round and the small Gorse Covert Mounds car park is on the left after a bus stop. If parking on the road please park considerately – cheers!
For Sat Nav the nearest postcode is WA3 6UG .
If you're late - Park up and walk in the entrance opposite Falstone Close by the small car park. Go through the kissing gate and follow the path to the T junction by the wood sculpture. Turn Right and continue along this ascending path until you reach the top of Pestfurlong Hill. Walk down the hill on the grass bearing right past the willow tunnel. Cross over the path and down the new steps. Follow the informal path with Pestfurlong Moss on your right and silver lane on your left. Please note this route can be muddy. This takes you into the woods where our base camp is. https://w3w.co/impresses.station.reporter
Salford Forest School
New Moss Wood, New Moss Road, Cadishead.
Directions to New Moss Wood
We usually meet at New Moss Wood car park on Moss Road opposite Stavely Farm. https://w3w.co/spice.woke.crabmeat
The easiest way to New Moss Wood is via Cadishead as the mosses route is a private road with lots of potholes and sometimes a locked gate. Don't try going on the private road from Glazebrook Lane as its a long way on a very poorly surfaced road.
Walking in from Cadishead if you’re local – Walk down Moss road and enter the wood by the gate on the left marked New Moss Wood. Cross the meadow and bear left past the bench and you’re at base camp.
From the M6 Woolston Junction (j21) head towards Irlam, East on Manchester Road A57. Continue at the WARBURTON TOLL BRIDGEtraffic lights and the GLAZEBROOK LANE B5212 traffic lights. At the Cadishead roundabout take the 1st exit onto Liverpool Road. Continue to Cadishead. Turn left onto NEW MOSS ROAD at the library, just after you’ve gone under a railway viaduct. Continue up New Moss Road – you’ll start to think you’ve gone wrong as you’re on a housing estate but keep going. You’ll come to a humpback bridge – drive over (New Moss Road becomes Moss Road at this point). Go slow as this is a potholed unsealed road. New Moss Wood car park is a couple of hundred metres on the left. Note there is a height restriction barrier.
From Lymm/Altringham – go over the Warburton toll bridge and turn right. Continue through the GLAZEBROOK LANE B5212 traffic lights. At the Cadishead roundabout take the 1st exit onto Liverpool Road. Continue to Cadishead. Turn left onto NEW MOSS ROAD at the library, just after you’ve gone under a railway viaduct. Continue up New Moss Road – you’ll start to think you’ve gone wrong as you’re on a housing estate but keep going. You’ll come to a humpback bridge – drive over (New Moss Road becomes Moss Road at this point). Go slow as this is a potholed unsealed road. New Moss Wood car park is a couple of hundred metres on the left. Note there is a height restriction barrier.
From Culcheth – Head North out of Culcheth. At the roundabout opposite the high school take the second exit onto GLAZEBROOK LANE B5212. Continue to the end and at the traffic lights turn left. At the Cadishead roundabout take the 1st exit onto Liverpool Road. Continue to Cadishead. Turn left onto NEW MOSS ROAD at the library, just after you’ve gone under a railway viaduct. Continue up New Moss Road – you’ll start to think you’ve gone wrong as you’re on a housing estate but keep going. You’ll come to a humpback bridge – drive over (New Moss Road becomes Moss Road at this point). Go slow as this is a potholed unsealed road. New Moss Wood car park is a couple of hundred metres on the left. Note there is a height restriction barrier.
From J11 M60 – Head towards Cadishead /Irlam on the A57 Liverpool Road. Continue on the A57 which becomes the Cadishead Way. Continue over the small roundabout. You’ll go under the railway. At the next roundabout (Omega Engineering Ltd)take the 3rd exit onto B5471 Brinell Drive. At the T junction turn left onto Liverpool Road. Then go past the library and turn right up NEW MOSS ROAD before the railway bridge with the large billboard. Continue up New Moss Road – you’ll start to think you’ve gone wrong as you’re on a housing estate but keep going. You’ll come to a humpback bridge – drive over (New Moss Road becomes Moss Road at this point). Go slow as this is a potholed unsealed road. New Moss Wood car park is a couple of hundred metres on the left. Note there is a height restriction barrier.
For Sat Nav the nearest postcode is M44 5JT but don’t go via the private road from Glazebrook come via Cadishead.
If you’re late follow the paths to https://w3w.co/view.relatives.keyboard or walk back up New Moss Lane to the Meadow entrance. We are just over the field in the woods.
Frodsham Forest School
Frodsham Woods (previously Frodsham Golf Course), Simons Lane, Frodsham
Directions to Frodsham Woods
We usually meet at the entrance just near the entrance to the car park. https://w3w.co/napkins.rehearsed.conqueror
From Chester/Wirral. Leave M56 J14. Head onto the A5117 heading towards Helsby and Frodsham. Go straight on at the traffic lights onto Chester Road. Go through Helsby and into Frodsham on the main street. At Frodsham traffic lights turn right onto Red Lane heading uphill past Frodsham Train Station. Continue up the hill and turn right onto Manley Road. Continue uphill and turn right onto Simons Road after the steep climb. The Woodland Trust Car Park is signposted on the left. Follow the track minding the speed bumps into the car park straight ahead. Please park in the designated areas.
From Warrington/ Manchester Leave M56 J12. Take the 1st exit heading towards Frodsham. Head under the viaduct to the traffic lights and turn right. Go over the swing bridge on the River Weaver and continue into Frodsham. At Frodsham traffic lights turn right onto Red Lane heading uphill past Frodsham Train Station. Continue up the hill and turn right onto Manley Road. Continue uphill and turn right onto Simons Road after the steep climb. The Woodland Trust Car Park is signposted on the left. Follow the track minding the speed bumps into the car park straight ahead. Please park in the designated areas.
For sat nav the postcode is WA6 6HF
If you’re late patk up and walk out of the car park. Walk up to the gate at the car park entrance (now on your left). Go through the kissing gate and walk down to our base camp at https://w3w.co/gratuity.romantics.fight We will be there or nearby.
Appleton Forest School
Lumb Brook Valley nr Dingle Farm, Dingle Lane, Appleton, Warrington
Directions to Lumb Brook Valley. For Sat Nav the nearest postcode is WA4 5NB Cann lane/Dingle Lane.
We meet at Dingle Lane near the bridge just down the road from Dingle Farm. https://w3w.co/king.grant.lodge
The easiest way to Lumb Brook Valley is via Lumb Brook Road as the nearby residential area is a bit of a maze.
From the Lymm junction J20 of the M6 / J9 M56 head towards Warrington/Grappenhall on Cliff Lane. At the small roundabout take the 1st exit onto Grappenhall Lane B5356. Then at the next roundabout take the 1st exit heading towards Appleton Thorn. Take the first right and continue to Appleton Thorn.
At the Thorn Pub and church turn right onto Lumb Brook Road. Continue until you reach a hard right bend at the junction of Dingle Lane. Go ontoDingle Lane at this bend (left but pretty much straight on), pass the farm and you’ll enter the wood. Go over the bridge where you’ll see the Fairy Forest School sign where we tend to start from. Keep driving and park on the left. There’s lots of parking if you carry on up the road towards Cann Lane. For large groups we tend to congregate in the grassy area just near the bridge.
From J10 of M56 – Head towards Warrington on the A49. At the1st set of traffic lights at the Cat and Lion turn right heading for Appleton Thorn on the B5356 Stretton Road. Keep going past Applejacks heading for Appleton Thorn.
At the Thorn Pub and church turn left onto Lumb Brook Road. Continue until you reach a hard right bend at the junction of Dingle Lane. Go ontoDingle Lane at this bend (left but pretty much straight on), pass the farm and you’ll enter the wood. Go over the bridge where you’ll see the Fairy Forest School sign where we tend to start from. Keep driving and park on the left. There’s lots of parking if you carry on up the road towards Cann Lane/Lyon’s Lane . For large groups we tend to congregate in the grassy area just near the bridge.
Please note that Lumb Brook Valley is only available from July to December. We avoid using it in Spring and early Summer to reduce the use of the site when the flowers are beginning to grow in this Semi Ancient Wood
If you’re late our base camp is just upstream from Dingle Lane https://w3w.co/bumps.varieties.cool
Rainhill Forest School
St Benedict’s Wood, Just off Wedgewood Gardens, Rainhill, St Helens, Merseyside. WA9 5GB
We usually meet at the onsite car park just off Wedgewood Gardens. https://w3w.co/when.mental.tigers
St Benedict’s Wood is located just off Rainhill Road about half way between Thatto Heath Railway Station and Rainhill Railway Station. It used to be Rainhill Hospital and cricket pitch and is next to a Golf Course which is earmarked for housing development. The nearest postcode is WA9 5GB.
Local - Walking in from Rainhill – From the Black Horse Inn at the junction of Rainhill Road and Elton Head Road walk north along the Rainhill Road past the golf course entrance onto Wedgewood Gardens. Turn immediately right onto the old Rainhill Road and meet us on the car park. If you prefer to stay off the road there is a footpath just to the right of the Black Horse Inn which runs adjacent to the road. After crossing the golf course road this brings you to Wedgewood Gardens and the car park where me meet is immediately opposite
From M62 Junction 7 Follow signs for Prescott and head along Warrington Road into Rainhill. After going over the railway bridge at Rainhill Station turn right at the traffic lights onto Rainhill Road. Continue along this road passing the Black Horse Inn on your left at the traffic lights. Pass the now closed golf course on your left and take the next left onto Wedgewood Gardens at a bend in the road. Take the immediate right onto the old Rainhill Road where the entrance to the car park is.
From M57 Junction 2 – Follow the A58 heading for St Helens. Pass Carmel College on your left. Turn right onto Lugsmore Lane (B5413) at the traffic lights heading for Thatto Heath Station. Continue on the B5413 (now Thatto Heath Road, then Nutgrove Road). Pass the Brown Edge Pub on your left heading for Rain Hill. Continue over the small roundabout. Then take the next right to Wedgewood Gardens at a bend in the road. Take the immediate right onto the old Rainhill Road where the entrance to the car park is.
From the East Lancs A580 – From Windle Island head South on Rainford Road. Follow the A570 through St Helens. After ASDA superstore take the 4th exit at the major roundabout onto the A58 Prescott Road (signposted Liverpool M57). Turn left onto Lugsmore Lane (B5413) at the traffic lights heading for Thatto Heath Station/ Rainhill. Continue on the B5413 (now Thatto Heath Road, then Nutgrove Road). Pass the Brown Edge Pub on your left heading for Rain Hill. Continue over the small roundabout. Then take the next right to Wedgewood Gardens at a bend in the road. Take the immediate right onto the old Rainhill Road where the entrance to the car park is.
PARKING at St Benedicts Wood
Drive through the green gated entrance and park onto car park. Please don’t block anyone in. We close this gate to prevent other wood users parking there as this car park is only used for our events or Woodland Trust contractors. If you’re early or late please close the gate behind you to prevent other wood users trying to park there. If the car park is empty when you get there we recommend reverse parking so its easier to leave when the event finishes. We start events from the car park.
IF YOU’RE LATE – Open the green gate to access the car park – please close it behind you. Park up and walk across the meadow where our base camp is. https://w3w.co/image.places.score