Who are we?
We are an award-winning woodland activity centre, based in 80 acres of ancient woodland just a stone’s throw from Bath, Frome and surrounding area.
We have sensitively developed four fantastic camps around the woods, all of which boast a great variety of ‘wow’ features, like sheltered fire pits, rope swings, mud kitchens and stream play areas. Having a choice of camps at our disposal has several key benefits, such as ensuring that we do not impact on any one area too heavily and being able to choose the camp best suited to the group, conditions and activities on any given day.
The woods have a rich variety of flora and fauna, including a resident pair of buzzards who are regularly seen perched in their favourite tree near our base. In the spring a large area of the woods is carpeted with bluebells – just one of the seasonal delights that visitors to the woods can expect to come across.
Throughout the development and ongoing management of Hidden Woods, our aim has been to create a place that will capture the imagination and create a sense of wonder both for children and their carers.
What do we offer?
We offer an exciting range of Forest School, bushcraft and other outdoor activities to children and adults of all ages. Complete with mighty oaks and babbling brooks, our beautiful purpose-built camp is the perfect place to connect with nature in a fun, adventurous and (we’d like to think) quite magical way.
The Benefits
Outdoor learning is being increasingly recognised as playing an integral role in holistic child development. Benefits include improved:
- physical and motors skills
- language and communication skills
- social skills, including team work
- knowledge and understanding of the environment
- self-esteem and self-confidence
- motivation and concentration
At Hidden Woods, some of the hard skills that children gain are an improved knowledge of the natural world, an understanding of appropriate use of tools and risk management skills, bushcraft and survival knowledge, environmental arts and crafts. We also very much focus on soft skills such as co-operation, sharing, empathy and the development of emotional language.
Meet the Team
Steve
Founder Steve Sutherland combines his experience in outdoor adventurous activities with his expertise in event management to create truly magical outdoor experiences. In the years before setting up Hidden Woods, Steve was responsible for business development at Go Ape!, helping to create high wire adventure courses in forests across the UK and beyond.
As a Level 3 Forest School leader, qualified in mountaineering, caving, canoeing, climbing, expedition leadership and bushcraft, with enhanced DBS disclosure and paediatric first aid training, he knows a thing or two about the serious business of having fun outdoors.
Having spent his childhood in and around Bath getting muddy, climbing trees and learning about the natural world through play and self-led adventures, Steve is now driven to provide those same opportunities for others.
Steve returned to Bath with his young family in 2011 to develop Hidden Woods and pursue his goal of sharing the rich experience of nature that our stunning woodland camp provides. He is supported by a highly experienced team of outdoor practitioners whose combined skills enable us to deliver exceptional outdoor learning experiences in a truly incredible setting.
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Claire
Having grown up in the countryside surrounded by nature and animals, Claire developed a lifelong passion for both. She studied Education for Sustainability as a Master’s degree at London South Bank University and went on to work with two international NGOs, nearing fifteen years of experience delivering educational programmes with young people in a variety of school and youth group settings. Claire was able to see first-hand the deep impact the outdoor environment has has o many children and young people’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Claire undertook her Forest School Leader training in 2016 and gone on to run Forest School and outdoor learning programmes in schools, youth groups and holiday clubs across BANES, Somerset and Wiltshire. As well as having an enhanced DBS disclosure, Claire holds qualifications in paediatric first aid and food hygiene.
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Julie
Julie is an environmental artist whose work reflects her fascination with ecosystems, sustainability and the fractal nature of our world.
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Barney
His lips never without a song, or a word of encouragement and his eyes always shining with a sparkle, Barney is a local legend and a key member of the team who has been with us from the very beginning.
His gift of bringing out the best in people coupled with his deep respect for the natural world, proficient woodsman skills and years of experience make him an outstanding mentor and true treasure of the camp. Barney is a Level 3 Play leader with enhanced DBS disclosure, training and qualifications in outdoor paediatric first aid, food hygiene, inclusion, challenging behaviour, green woodwork and bushcraft.
With good coffee and good company Barney can coax any campfire into a heartwarming and rousing gathering for young and old alike.
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Steve
Steve loves sharing his enthusiasm for the great outdoors with young people. Steve is a Level 3 Forest School leader, he is also a qualified science teacher with almost 20 years of experience.