Woodland School

Learn and explore the great outdoors

The Woodland School at Swinton Bivouac, run by Sophie Wilkinson from Yorkshire Forest Folk, is all about exploring the great outdoors and learning about it through play and exciting activities in the Druid’s Plantation.

Parents are welcome to relax in the Café Bistro throughout the session.

Two sessions run each day, the morning session: 10am until 12:30pm and the afternoon session: 1:30pm until 4pm.

Suitable for ages 6–12 years. £20 per child, per session with pre-booking required as space is limited.

£20 per child, per session
Items made during a Woodland School activity session on the Swinton Estate

More information

Friday 25th July
Morning: Fire lighting and nettle crisps
Test your fire lighting skills in this session using natural fire lighting techniques – we cover the whole process from making a spark to building your own small fire. We’ll then forage for nettles (using gloves of course!) and cook nettle crisps on the fire.

Afternoon: Tree leaf identification, Hapazome printing and picture frame making
Explore the woodland identifying different trees by their leaves, select your favourite leaves then create your own leaf print using an ancient Japanese cloth printing technique as well as your very own stick frame to hang it in.

Friday 1st August
Morning: Pizza making and fire lighting
Test your fire lighting skills in this session using natural fire lighting techniques – we cover the whole process from making a spark to building your own small fire. We’ll then create our own pizza dough and cook pizzas on the fire.

Afternoon: Woodland Jewellery and Key Ring crafting
Use woodwork tools to craft elder beads and wooden discs and learn how to make a Nordic slinging braid to create your own bracelet or necklace and keyring. 

Friday 8th August
Morning: Tree leaf identification, Hapazome printing and picture frame making
Explore the woodland identifying different trees by their leaves, select your favourite leaves then create your own leaf print using an ancient Japanese cloth printing technique as well as your very own stick frame to hang it in.

Afternoon: Fire lighting and nettle crisps
Test your fire lighting skills in this session using natural fire lighting techniques – we cover the whole process from making a spark to building your own small fire. We’ll then forage for nettles (using gloves of course!) and cook nettle crisps on the fire.

Friday 15th August
Morning: Bug hunting and crafting
Adventure through the woods looking for and identifying bugs and insects before crafting your very own mini beasts from a range of natural materials using woodwork techniques.

Afternoon: Pizza making and fire lighting
Test your fire lighting skills in this session using natural fire lighting techniques – we cover the whole process from making a spark to building your own small fire. We’ll then create our own pizza dough and cook pizzas on the fire.

Friday 22nd August
Morning: Woodland Jewellery and Key Ring crafting
Use woodwork tools to craft elder beads and wooden discs and learn how to make a Nordic slinging braid to create your own bracelet or necklace and keyring. 

Afternoon: Make bilberry jam and cook your own bread
We’ll forage for bilberries through the beautiful woodland at the Druid’s temple and make our own bread and bilberry jam cooked on an open fire.

Friday 29th August
Morning: Make bilberry jam and cook your own bread
We’ll forage for bilberries through the beautiful woodland at the Druid’s temple and make our own bread and bilberry jam cooked on an open fire.

Afternoon: Bug hunting and crafting
Adventure through the woods looking for and identifying bugs and insects before crafting your very own mini beasts from a range of natural materials using woodwork techniques.

Upcoming dates

  • 25th July 2025
  • 1st August 2025
  • 8th August 2025
  • 15th August 2025
  • 22nd August 2025
  • 29th August 2025
  • 31st October 2025
  • Show more

FAQs

Suitable for ages 6–12 years.
Two sessions run each day: 10am until 12:30pm and 1:30pm until 4pm.

The event will take place at Swinton Bivouac:

Swinton Bivouac
Masham
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 4JZ
United Kingdom

Home to rustic tree lodges, meadow yurts, a café and more, Swinton Bivouac is sited in one of the most picturesque settings in the Yorkshire Dales.

A delightful rural experience for friends and family.

Our standard terms and conditions apply.

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