Skip to content
Sessions run Tuesdays 9am–12pm and Saturdays 2pm–5pmBook an activity
Dreckly Woods

Piper's Pool · near Launceston, Cornwall

An inclusiveforest school inour own broadleafwoodland

Being child-led, our sessions are very much driven by each child’s interests and curiosity.

No screens. Just fresh air, big ideas and wild imaginations!

Book an activity (opens in a new tab)See what’s on
A kettle on a grill over the stone-built campfire circle
The fire circle
The woodwork area: sawhorse benches and log seats under the big tarp shelter in the woodland
The woodwork area

Woodland friends are hiding further down this page. How many can you spot?

Our ethos

Forest School for every child

Inclusive. Supportive. Empowering. Every child belongs here.

At Dreckly Woods Forest School, we are committed to creating a welcoming, nurturing and inclusive environment where children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive, connect with nature and be themselves.

Four children sitting around a log stump, whittling and working with hand tools

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do

Every child, every ability

We celebrate neurodiversity and recognise that every child brings their own strengths and gifts.

Nature supports all

The natural environment reduces barriers, builds confidence and provides opportunities for sensory exploration, calm and play.

A flexible approach

We adapt activities to meet individual needs, and offer choice, time and space to succeed.

Skilled and experienced

Our team has experience supporting children with a wide range of SEND, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, trauma and sensory needs.

Strong partnerships

We work closely with families, carers and professionals to understand each child and provide the best support possible.

Belonging matters

We foster a sense of belonging, respect and friendship, where every child feels valued.

Our commitment to inclusion

  • We create a safe, predictable and supportive environment
  • We celebrate progress in all its forms
  • We listen, learn and adjust to meet needs
  • We promote independence, confidence and self-esteem
  • We ensure every child has the opportunity to lead, explore and shine
A child lying in the green hammock, laughing

Different, not less. Outdoors, we thrive together.

“The goal is not to be the same, the goal is to grow together.”

Come as you are. Grow with us. You belong in Dreckly Woods.

Ages 5+

Junior Forest Rangers

Small groups

Up to 10, with a 5:1 ratio

Parents welcome

Your child’s happiness is our priority

1.6 acres

Our own secure broadleaf woodland

Who we are

How Dreckly Woods started

Rewind forty-odd years

Rewind forty-odd years and there was a little girl who loved nature. She could usually be found roaming free outside, bare foot with muddy knees. She was happiest catching butterflies or playing with mini beasts, having snail races, or being reassured by her older brother that she could indeed fly.

She collected slow worms and shrews and made mini habitats for them in little boxes. She cared for them, connected with them, and played free. Her dad taught her bird names and tree species and she listened in awe at his knowledge. Only in nature did she feel completely herself.

Then she met Helen, who encouraged her to stand tall, to remember who she was, and to share the dream almost as enthusiastically. So together they bought a woodland, and Dreckly Woods was born.

The idea was somewhere others could roam free and engage with the natural world, because it is so good for our wellbeing when the big wide world can be overwhelming. We don't profess to know exactly what we are doing, but that is part of the adventure of it.

Looking up through the leaf canopy of the woodland on a bright day
Donna, owner and director at Dreckly Woods
Safeguarding lead

Donna

Owner & director

Forest school leader · safeguarding lead · first aid

“I get to be outside and play in nature for a job! … I love seeing children progress and learn new skills and gain confidence in themselves.”

Taught English as a foreign language and ran her own English school in Sri Lanka for disadvantaged children. Took a psychology degree while raising four children. Then a care worker for adults with learning disabilities, and an alternative farm-based provision with children with SEND. Favourite activity: whittling and axe carving. In her words, "I am particularly proud of my spatula."

Helen, owner and director at Dreckly Woods
Safeguarding deputy

Helen

Owner & director

Forest school assistant · safeguarding deputy · first aid

“I love seeing the confidence grow in others and all the wonder that you can create with and in nature. Also the fact that I get to use a chain saw!”

Jobs within the community, and animal care practitioner at an alternative provision. Favourite activity: making fires and den building.

Chief morale officer

Eli

Sprocker spaniel

Our sprocker spaniel, and a particular hit within sessions. He is usually somewhere in the middle of whatever is happening, and for a child who arrives nervous he is very often the reason they stop being nervous.

Eli, their sprocker spaniel, lying in the leaf litter among the moss and ivy of the woodland

What is next

Where we are heading

The woodland is still becoming what we want it to be, and we would rather tell you that than pretend otherwise.

This winter

We are considering running a few events through the winter, and applying for grants to help us grow.

By spring 2027

We are hoping to open a registered alternative provision for children with and without SEND. We really want to be inclusive.

Along the way

We are working towards Ofsted registration, Forest School Association membership and CIC registration.

None of these are in place yet. We will say so here as and when they are.

What we believe

Six things we come back to

Connection

We build strong bonds with ourselves, each other and the natural world around us.

Resilience

We embrace challenges, learn from experiences and grow with confidence.

Respect

We care for nature, our community and each other with kindness and consideration.

Curiosity

We explore, ask questions and discover the wonder of the outdoors.

Independence

We empower children to take risks, make choices and trust their abilities.

Creativity

We imagine, create and express ourselves through play, storytelling and adventure.

We believe in…

  • Learning through play and experience
  • Building confidence and self-esteem
  • Supporting wellbeing and happiness
  • Encouraging teamwork and friendship
  • Inspiring a lifelong love of nature

“Every child, every moment, every day”

A child playing with Eli, their sprocker spaniel, among the leaf litter

What’s on · prices in the open

In the woods this season

Every price is on this page. No “enquire for pricing”, and no surprises after the first session.

Tuesdays & Saturdays · 9am–12pm and 2pm–5pm

Junior Forest Ranger

Six weeks, and a certificate at the end of it. Fire lighting, green woodwork, den building, tool skills and a lot of free play. Ages 5+, all equipment provided.

£30per session
Book an activitySee the six weeks
By arrangement

Exclusive use of our 1.6 acre broadleaf woodland

Woodland birthday party

Your choice of activities with experienced forest school leaders: den building, whittling and green woodwork, birthday games and free play. The birthday child lights the campfire, supervised. Hotdogs and s’mores included.

£180for 2 hours · up to 10 children
£230for 3 hours

£10 each additional child · just bring the cake

Enquire
By arrangement

Three hours, exclusive use

Private family session

Book the entire woodland for a private session, with your choice of guided activities. Space to enjoy time together, learn new skills and spend time in nature. Key memories and family bonding.

£80up to 4 people

£10 each additional person

Enquire

Coming up

  • October half term sessions

    Dates T.B.C.

  • Halloween and pumpkin carving

    Dates T.B.C.

  • Christmas party

    Dates T.B.C.

The Junior Forest Ranger course

Six weeks, and a certificate at the end of it

Our six-week Junior Forest Ranger course is designed to help children develop practical woodland skills, confidence, teamwork, and a deeper connection with nature. Each week brings a new ranger challenge, from building dens and learning safe woodland tool use to lighting fires, campfire cooking, conservation activities, and much more.

Week one

Ranger Recruitment Day

Week two

Master Den Builders

Week three

Woodland Tool Experts

Week four

Fire Keepers

Week five

Campfire Chefs & Conservation Rangers

Week six

Ranger Graduation Day

In the woodwork area, everyone checking their safety bubbles were clear
Checking safety bubbles are clear, in the woodwork area

Participants work towards becoming a Dreckly Woods Junior Forest Ranger, and receive a certificate at our special Ranger Graduation Day.

“Plans don’t always go as expected and that is totally fine with us.”

  • Tuesdays 9am–12pm and Saturdays 2pm–5pm
  • All equipment provided
  • Bookings are limited to 10 participants per session and are allocated first come, first served.
  • Beginner level, so no experience needed
Book an activity (opens in a new tab)

Before you come

What to bring, and what to wear

Please send your child dressed for outdoor activities in all weather conditions.

  • Sturdy footwear or wellington boots
  • Long trousers and long sleeves
  • Waterproof coat and trousers
  • Suncream applied before the session, and a sun hat
  • Snacks and named drinks bottles

The woodland

A look around

The shelter, the fire circle, the mud kitchen and the rest of what we have built in here. Tap any photograph to see it properly.

Who lives at Dreckly Woods?

Keep your eyes open on the way in. The wood was theirs first.

  • Fox

    seen at dusk

  • Hedgehog

    under the hedge

  • Tawny owl

    heard at night

  • Oak

    and 1.6 acres more

What families say

What families have told us

Word for word, exactly as they wrote them.

“Hi Helen and Donna, just wanted to say thank you so much for this morning. ▮▮ (& I) had a wonderful time in your beautiful setting - it is exactly what he needs so can’t thank you enough. He’s already looking forward to seeing you next week xxx”

A parent, by message

“Thank you so much all my children had thr best time and are extremely excited to cime back next week.x”

Wendy Hirst

“Max is bringing his sleeping bag on Tuesday! He loved it so much. What a beautiful space you have created. Well done ladies!”

Sam Woods

“Dexter is desperate to come back again lol”

Kristina Jade

“I have said it before but will say it again... Can’t thank you enough for what you have given Max this summer. Somewhere he feels totally comfortable and happy. You ladies and your gorgeous forest school are the best. Xx”

Sam Woods

“Lovely people, great atmosphere.”

Tim Coles, on Google

“My nephews went for a forest school experience dropped them off , collected them a few hours later and had trouble getting them away! They loved it so much they wanted more of the experience, den building, mud kitchen, climbing, the duck whistle was the fav! If you hear the quack you must come back. So safe and secure highly recommended xx”

Rebecca Sibley, on Google

Read our reviews on Google (opens in a new tab)

Keeping them safe

How we look after your child in the woods

Their own hand-made "Dreckly Woods Woodwork Rules" sign on a post in the trees
Our woodwork rules, on the post by the benches

A named safeguarding lead and deputy

Donna is our safeguarding lead. Helen is our safeguarding deputy. Both are first aid trained.

Insured for what we actually do

We raised our insurance policy to cover tree climbing up to 5 metres.

Tools come after the training

Nobody picks up a tool before the safety training for it. That is the order, every time.

Fires follow Forestry England guidance

When Forestry England guidance says no fires, we suspend them. No exceptions in a dry spell.

Small groups

Up to 10 children, with a 5:1 ratio.

Parents are welcome to stay

Parents are welcome to stay if your child feels more comfortable, or if you want to join in too.

Getting around the woodland

It is a working woodland, so the ground is uneven and there are no hard paths. We would rather tell you that than have you arrive and find out. If you want to talk through whether it will suit your child, please just ask us. We would much rather have the conversation.

Find us

Piper's Pool, near Launceston

Our woodland is at Piper's Pool in the parish of Laneast, about seven miles from Launceston. A postcode will only get you as far as the lane, so please use the what3words square below. It takes you to the gate itself.

Put the square into your phone before you set off. Signal in the woods is patchy, so it is much easier to have the directions loaded than to ring us once you are out here.

Parking is limited, so please share cars where you can.

Open in what3wordsOr call 07743 500369
what3words · takes you to the gate
///pesky.radically.fruits
Load it before you leave. Signal here is patchy.
Postcode
PL15 8QG
only gets you to the lane
Sessions
Tuesdays 9am–12pm
Saturdays 2pm–5pm
The ground
Uneven, with no hard paths. Ask us and we will talk it through.

Get in touch

Ask us anything before you book

Or reach us directly

Bookings go through Bookwhen, but if you would rather just talk to a person first, please do.

Sessions

Tuesdays 9am–12pm
Saturdays 2pm–5pm

A postcode will only get you as far as the lane. Give us a ring on the day and we will talk you in to the gate.