There are many different types of outdoor learning from bushcraft to gardening throughout Cheshire & Greater Manchester Forest schools are a breath of fresh air, quite literally. These innovative learning environments take classrooms to the great outdoors, allowing children to explore, play, and learn amidst the trees and wildlife.
Credit: Alexandra Tandy Photography
Whether it’s building shelters, identifying plants, or simply enjoying the wonders of nature, forest schools provide invaluable hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection with the environment. With a focus on holistic development and outdoor adventures, they offer a unique approach to education that sparks creativity and a love for the natural world.
Cheshire & Greater Manchester Forest Schools
Here’s a round up of all the forest schools and outdoor nature sessions for children in Cheshire . As well as regular pre-school toddler sessions, many also run holiday clubs, special events, family bushcraft sessions and parties.
Cheshire Forest School (Whitegate, near Northwich)
Cheshire Forest School runs Forest School sessions for children and their carers in an extensive and private woodland in Whitegate. Each session is based on the wonderful ethos of Forest School and the EYFS curriculum, ensuring that child-led play and exploration is central to each session. Mud kitchen, dinosaur world, bug hunting, hammock and tree swinging, balancing along slacklines, creating crafts using the natural world and learning to use tools and more. Cheshire Forest School have regular pre school Stay and Play sessions as well as holiday clubs, parties and family events.
Forest Explorers (Delamere)
Forest Explorers run fun environmental education sessions, toddler sessions and events in Delamere Forest, Cheshire.
Skylarks Forest School (Disley)
Based in a private woodland in the grounds of the National Trust’s Lyme Estate. Sessions run term time and they also have a home education sessions.
Ladybugs & Slugs (Brereton Heath, near Holmes Chapel)
Based next to Brereton Heath Nature Reserve, Ladybugs & Slugs provide groups and sessions for everyone of all ages, outside in nature. The Stay & Play sessions are for birth to 3 year olds and they also offer holiday clubs.
Kids Go Wild Forest School (Stockport & Manchester)
Kids Go Wild Forest School run a number of different sessions over a range of sites in Stockport & Manchester. Stay & Play, Home Ed, holiday clubs and more.
Gruff Outdoor Learning (Macclesfield)
The weekly Gruff’s Mini Farmers sessions are for babies, toddlers and preschool children. The theme each week is based on the seasonal happenings on the farm.
Little Woodpeckers Toddler Group (Crewe)
Little Woodpeckers is an outdoor stay and play group in the woods suitable from walking to age 5.
Nature Makers (Frodsham)
Nature based art and craft session, exploring the outdoors with seasonal themes on Tuesday mornings at Castle Park Frodsham.
Riverside Organic Farm Tots (Davenham, Northwich)
A parent and toddler group suitable for children from 2 years old to school starting age. Sessions are based around British farming, nature and wildlife. Riverside Organic Farm is also great to visit with kids with a great cafe and play area. Check out our Riverside Organic Farm cafe review
Communitree Forest Holiday Club (Dunham Massey + Bury)
No two days are the same at forest holiday club, children are encouraged to follow their own passions and interests.
Two Hoots Forest School (Dobcross, Oldham)
Sessions tbc Brownhill Nature Garden, Dobcross with a wide variety of activities and everyone gets a warm drink, a snack and time to chat.
Forever Wild After School Club (Wilmslow)
Forever Wild host a variety of forest school experiences, currently with an after school club on a Friday. Activities include: games, campfire cooking, outdoor art and craft, fire lighting, woodland tools, den building, and much more!
