Discover the thrill of outdoor learning at Betteshanger Park with Wild One’s Forest School for kids. Engage in woodland crafts, fire lighting, and tree climbing in a safe, inspiring environment.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for children with moderate mobility; no advanced skills required.
Wildlife
History
Betteshanger Park was once a coal mining site, which closed in the 1980s, leaving behind a landscape rich in history and transformation.
Conservation
The park promotes sustainable practices by maintaining natural habitats and encouraging children to learn about local flora and fauna.
Betteshanger Park
Discover the thrill of outdoor learning at Betteshanger Park with Wild One’s Forest School for kids. Engage in woodland crafts, fire lighting, and tree climbing in a safe, inspiring environment.
Betteshanger Park is a large outdoor activity and events venue located near Deal in Kent, England. The park hosts a diverse range of family-focused experiences including forest school sessions, fossil hunting, archery, axe throwing, seasonal trails and festival events. Wild One’s Forest School at Betteshanger runs weekday and weekend sessions for toddlers, home-educated groups and children aged 5 to 11, teaching woodland crafts, fire lighting, campfire cooking and tree climbing in a supervised outdoor setting.
Learn To Ride classes offer KCC instructors, cycle hire and helmets for children aged 2 to 14 to build cycling confidence in small-group lessons. Betteshanger’s fossil hunting expeditions take visitors into the quarry to search for 300+ million-year-old remains under expert guidance. The park also stages special events such as a medieval festival, battle archery war, seasonal Christmas and Halloween trails, wreath workshops and family fitness classes like parent and baby pilates. Meet Father Christmas in the grotto provides a festive experience for younger visitors, and many events include activities suitable for different ages and abilities. Facilities include parking on site and outdoor spaces adaptable for public events and private bookings. Betteshanger Park works with trained instructors and event partners to deliver safe, supervised activities and has established itself as a regional destination for outdoor learning and family days out. Visitors come for hands-on learning, active play and memorable seasonal events in a coastal Kent setting.
Booking information, dates and accessibility details are available on the park's official website and event listings for visitors daily.
Location
Deal, England
Coastal Kent park
Experiences
16 experiences
Family-friendly outdoor activities
Qualified Instructors
KCC instructors
Included for Learn To Ride
Ancient Fossils
300+ million years
Quarry fossil hunting finds
Secure family-friendly sessions, fossil hunts and seasonal events — check dates and booking details on the venue's event listings.
Wear appropriate clothing
Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes suitable for woodland activities.
Bring waterproof gear
Weather can change quickly; waterproof jackets and boots are recommended.
Prepare for outdoor mess
Children may get dirty during crafts and climbing, so be prepared with wipes and extra clothes.
Stay on defined trails
Encourage children to stay on marked paths for safety and environmental protection.
Sturdy footwear
Provide good grip and support for woodland activities.
Weather-appropriate clothing
Dressing in layers ensures comfort and safety in changing weather.
spring;summer;fall;winter
Water bottle
Stay hydrated during outdoor activities.
Small backpack
Carry personal items, snacks, and extra clothing.