real-world experiences

Outdoor Schooling: just playtime or a necessity?

18 June 2025 by Emily Bradshaw

Why Outdoor Schooling Offers a Rigorous Yet Child-Centred Alternative to Traditional Education In recent years, outdoor schooling has grown in popularity as parents and educators search for alternatives to traditional classroom-based education. Often mistakenly perceived as less academically rigorous, outdoor schooling is proving to be not only equally challenging but also … [Read more...] about Outdoor Schooling: just playtime or a necessity?

Ambleford Farm

5.0

Based on 79 reviews

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Flora Homewood

06:56 22 Feb 25

My daughter had the most wonderful day and enjoyed every part. She came home smiling and full of stories. She loved the activities, your dog and the goats and she was so proud of what she had achieved (fire lighting, bracelet making, whittling and even mud sliding! ).

cnc Router Cutting

06:17 20 Feb 25

Leander(7) just had another 3 amazing days immersed in a unique outdoor woody earthy vibe. He got to run around a lot and express parts of himself in making new friends, being part of a group/tribe, making team dens and play defending them as well as learning bush craft skills. He's tired and happy at the end of the day, content, how it aught to be. Thank you all at Ambleford Farm for creating a safe and magical world for him and others.

Holly Creusot

16:05 19 Feb 25

My boys absolutely love Ambleford - James and the team are great. Highly recommend!

Jades Thomas

18:16 17 Feb 25

A fabulous forest school with such innovative and creative activities for the children. My 5 year old son had a fantastic time today!

Iszi Vine

17:55 17 Feb 25

My 7 year old daughter absolutely loves going to her home Ed day at Ambleford as well the holiday club. I believe she’s made friends for life here. She can truly be herself and gets up to all sorts of fun & mischief in nature. Highly recommend.

Zaneta T.

13:33 20 Jan 25

We celebrated our son’s birthday at Ambleford farm and everyone truly enjoyed themselves the whole time. It captivated both, boys and girls and they all loved learning lots of new bushcraft skills.

Rebecca Wareham

00:03 05 Jan 25

An absolutely wonderful archery and axe throwing party for my daughter’s 8th birthday. She, her friends and we had a brilliant time. James was so helpful from start to finish and so good with all the children, making the activities so much fun for everyone. The setting is stunning, even more atmospheric with all the frost, and it truly was a very special experience. Thank you! Thoroughly recommend!

R & K Tree

21:15 29 Dec 24

My 8 year old absolutely loves the weekly home education sessions at Ambleford. James and Vinny are superb with the children, offering educational, fun activities, but equally giving the children the freedom to follow their own interests. The children are very well supported in their emotional and interpersonal development. James also provides detailed feedback after each session, as well as photo updates during the sessions. We couldn't ask for a better place for our child!

Susanne Austin

17:04 16 Feb 24

Amazing. Kids loved it and had to drag them home

Cat Kudish

16:46 16 Feb 24

Superb half term forest school session, my two boys (8 & 5) absolutely loved it. There were tears at home time, the littlest didn't want to leave! A really varied day with a wonderful team in a great setting.

Zoe Pepper

11:48 15 Feb 24

My son has the best time when he goes to Ambleford. He loves animals and the outdoors, so this place is perfect! He learns skills that he otherwise may not at school. James and his team are the best! The updates on Class Dojo are fab to see throughout the day and what they’re up to. Thank you Ambleford, we’ll be back again soon.

Debs C

20:19 14 Feb 24

My son (8) really loved it. Very friendly place.

Catherine Gallagher

17:12 14 Feb 24

Jasmine's 3rd time at Ambleford, she LOVES it! So good for building her confidence and character... and so it would seem, the rainier and muddier the better!

Milly Potter

21:59 13 Feb 24

My children (5yo boy and 8yo girl) both had the most wonderful day. They were greeted so warmly and immediately made to feel at home.
Their day sounded like so much fun and when I collected them they were tired, muddy and happy. They’re already looking forward to another day out at the forest!

Laura Finan

22:18 17 Dec 23

The Father Christmas experience was the best one I’ve ever been to. My daughter said he was definitely the real Father Christmas as he knew their names and all about them, as well as having a real beard. My 20 month old was a little unsure to start with, but because we had such a good long time with Father Christmas, he soon came around. The magic bells and the super soft bunnies are lovely. Thank you so much. We will definitely be back next year!

Rachelle Caton

19:03 25 Oct 23

An amazing forest school in a beautiful setting, with very welcoming staff! Thank you for a great half term camp that my daughter attended, she was a little apprehensive initially for her first visit, she settled really quickly when Emily took her under her wing! She can’t wait to go back to the next session, thank you! Highly recommended.

Sarah Power

16:22 07 Aug 23

A brilliant ninth birthday party for our daughter with the archery, private mud hut with fire pit to toast marshmallows, a throne, hand made natural crown and more causing much excitement amongst her friends. Just the more unique and lively party atmosphere we were looking for!

Book Nook

09:09 17 Jun 22

My daughter did 2 sessions in the Easter holidays and is STILL talking about it. James and Emily listen to the interests of the children and follow their lead despite planned activities. Their days were full of adventures. My usually shy 5 year old was beaming and not in a hurry to leave by home time. We hope to start more regular sessions in the Autumn.

Dave Thompson

16:37 11 Apr 22

My daughter and friend had such a wonderful day at Ambleford's Easter camp! They tried their hands at so many new skills and enjoyed den building, cake baking on the campfire, feeding the goats, planting and an Easter egg hunt! What a day - thanks so much to James and Emily. We'll be back!

Rebecca Wilson

11:23 09 Apr 22

My 5 year old had an amazing time at the Easter holiday club forest school. She enjoyed baking a cake on the fire and collecting eggs from the chickens as well as building and playing on an obstacle course. Thank you James & Emily for all the efforts put in to making Ambleford Farm such a success!

Charlotte Shears

18:58 09 Jan 22

Great experience for my 5 year old. Started the course not a fan of the outdoors, James built her confidence and will now quite happily be crawling through bushes and hunting for the muddiest area for the best things to build a den with!

sophie moss

18:16 09 Jan 22

Wonderful experience foe my 5 yr old. He did a 6 week course. James was friendly, instructive and ensure the children were safe at all times. A beautiful place to make fun childhood memories.