School visits to the Forest of Dean

Discover the Forest of Dean with your class

The Forest of Dean offers fantastic learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, including the opportunity to become a ranger for the day at Beechenhurst with our new Ranger in a Bag activity.

A classroom with no walls

The living, breathing forest is a versatile learning space, with room to think and space to explore. 

Plan sensory exploration or wildlife and habitat spotting with younger children. Older children can see how ecosystems work, undertake field studies or explore the science behind the tree lifecycle.  

Learning in a forest is also a practical way to immerse your class in a range of subjects. Spark students' imagination by delivering a lesson on any topic, using the setting as inspiration.

Discover sustainable forest management in action

We grow, shape and care for forests, managing landscapes for people, wildlife and timber production.

In the Forest of Dean, you'll see what sustainable forest management is, and why it's so important, through hands-on activities.

Booking your visit

All self-guided visits must be booked several weeks in advance. Please see the visit options below for more details on how to book.

How to visit the Forest of Dean as a class

Thetford High Lodge School Rangers
Give your class the opportunity to become rangers for the day with our easy-to-use, self-contained Ranger in a Bag.
A boy in a green jumper is pointing to something in the forest
Everything you need to know about organising a class trip to the Forest of Dean.
Go ape tree top junior Grizedale
Treetop adventures for Key Stage One and above.
Red deer hind close up
Naturalist Ed Drewitt offers wildlife experiences for schools in the Forest of Dean.