RHS Rosemoor offers woodland crafts and forest fun for families this summer

Fun lovers in North Devon  are being invited to go wild in the woods at RHS Rosemoor.

The gardens and bio-diversity venue says it has a tree-mendous programme of activities for the whole family this summer! 

You can head to their brilliant woodland basecamp for six weeks of hands-on fun and outdoor challenges, from den building and forest school workshops to woodland crafts, tree climbing, campfire cooking and more.

A highlight will be The Big Den Build with the Woodland Tribe on selected days, where young and young at heart can build an epic woodland adventure castle. The Woodland Tribe’s play-build philosophy is all about letting children take control of their own play space. 

Rosemoor says: “The supervised builds are a combination of hands-on construction and imaginative play, where the experience and resulting affection for the structure are truly memorable for every child and adult taking part. Simply put — it is not to be missed!”

The Big Den Build will take place over the course of three days, from Saturday to Monday, August 2 to 4, when families can book in for 90-minute sessions at 11.45am, 2pm and 3.45pm daily. 

Together with your fellow adventurers, you can help to imagine and build a giant woodland adventure castle under the expert eye of the Woodland Tribe, one of the country's experts in constructive play. 

Suitable for children aged four and over, accompanied by an adult, the sessions cost £10 per child and £5 per adult. Advance booking online will be essential for this unique opportunity, says Rosemoor.

Daily woodland adventures are also on offer from the Cob Shelter near the Learning Centre between 10am and 6pm. Here at the woodland basecamp, you can find different activities suitable for all to enjoy like collecting bark rubbings or following a minibeast trail as part of on your woodland adventure.

All ages can try the relaxing Tremendous Trees Trail to discover which tree lives the longest, grows the tallest or has the most fascinating story. Then join in the woodland adventurers on the Learning Centre lawns on July 24, 25 and 31, and on August 1, 14, 28 and 29,  for other challenges such as capture the flag at 11am, sack attack at 12noon, archery at 2pm and a nature craft session at 3pm.

Children can learn new skills with  different woodland and garden based family activities each Tuesday and Wednesday from July 29 to  August 27 (except August 12 and 13) on bookable workshops at 10.30am, 12 noon and 2.30pm. These one-hour family sessions include leaf printing, an egg drop challenge, a woodland invertebrate hunt, five-minute fires, clay creations and mini-raft building. Suitable for families with children aged four to 16. Workshops are £3 per child (plus garden entry). Adults are free but we expect everyone to join in with the activities.

On Monday, July 28,  Rattlebox Theatre will thrill audiences with 30-minute, interactive Robin Hood Puppet Shows at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm on the Learning Centre lawn. You can revel in the merry antics of Robin and his friends as they take on the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. Suitable for all the family, there is no need to book for these fun shows.

You can also join Rattlebox on the lawns for drop-in storytelling sessions on Wednesdays, August 6, 20 and 27 at 11am, 12 noon and 2pm — gather round in a wonderful Saxon-style tent for traditional woodland tales brought to life with music, props and humour.

Scale one of the ancient oaks and see the garden from an arborist’s view with The Kids Adventure Company, then head to the Lower Woodland to enjoy some campfire cooking on Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8 — just drop in to the Stream Field between 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. There are also tree climbing only sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19 and 20 at the same times. Children aged four to 16 are welcome but they must be accompanied by an adult.

Rosemoor adds: “Don’t forget there is also our permanent den building play area in the Lower Woodland where you can challenge family and friends to build a hideaway using natural materials!”