Urban Outdoors Adventures in nature Forest school

Rating

5.0(22)

Family of 4

USD 80–120

Duration

2–3 hours

Best Ages

2–10

About

Urban Outdoors Adventures in Nature Forest School operates from its base in Kentish Town, north London, offering forest school sessions and nature-based outdoor education for young children. Forest school is an educational approach rooted in Scandinavian tradition that prioritises child-led learning in an outdoor environment — sessions are less about being taught and more about being given space, time, and tools to explore and discover. The sessions run by Urban Outdoors embrace this philosophy fully.

Children engage with natural materials, learn to observe and identify plants and insects, build dens, cook over fires, and develop the kind of sensory engagement with the outdoors that's increasingly rare for city-raised children. For young children who are spending the majority of their time indoors, even two hours of genuine outdoor freedom can have a measurably positive effect on mood, sleep, and confidence. The instructors have a calm, child-centred approach that creates safety without stifling curiosity.

Sessions are designed to accommodate different developmental stages, so a group of mixed-age siblings or friends can often attend together. Urban Outdoors also runs holiday programmes and extended sessions, which work well for parents looking for structured outdoor time during school breaks. Sessions are weatherproofed — appropriate gear is recommended rather than cancellations being the response to rain.

The north London location near Kentish Town is well-served by tube and Overground, making it accessible across London.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Setting

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekends and school holiday programmes

Wait Times

Low — pre-booked sessions

Nearby Food

Kentish Town Road has a good range of local cafés and shops. Kentish Town West Overground station is nearby, and Camden is a short journey away with extensive food options.

Why Kids Love It

Urban Outdoors brings the forest school experience into north London in a way that feels completely genuine — mud, sticks, fire, and freedom. Children who spend most of their week in structured indoor environments react with remarkable energy when given open-ended outdoor time. The facilitators know how to get children fully absorbed in nature play without over-directing.

Pro Tips from Parents

  • Dress children in waterproofs and wellies regardless of the forecast — forest school sessions run in all weathers and muddy clothes are a sign of a good session.
  • Children with sensory sensitivities often thrive in forest school environments — the open, child-led format reduces pressure and increases comfort.
  • Book a taster session first before committing to a full programme if it's your child's first forest school experience.

What to Bring

  • Full waterproof top and trousers plus wellies
  • Spare set of clothes in a dry bag
  • Packed snack and water bottle

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

USD 80–120

Tips to Save

  • Book sibling pairs together — many forest school providers offer sibling discounts.
  • Check for term-time vs.
  • holiday pricing differences.

Hours & Contact

Hours

Friday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
Tuesday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Thursday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Contact

60d Bartholomew Rd, London NW5 2AJ, UK

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