All the UK holiday parks in the UK with forest schools for kids – including night vision walks and Bear Grylls Academy
AS the weather gets warmer and families look to get away, there is more to do than just head off on a beach break – many holiday camps across the UK also offer forest-based activities.
Forest Schools or ‘camps’ are usually child-centred and feature activities that help children learn about the outside world and experiment hands-on.
Here are some of the best across the UK.
Keldy Forest Lodges, Yorkshire
Keldy Forest Lodges located in Yorkshire is home to both classic cabins with hot tubs and forest lodges.
Keldy hosts a number of different outdoor activities for families including archery, air rifle shooting or a zip wire experience.
There is also a Forest Ranger Adventure, where – alongside a Forest Ranger – families can learn about the forest and participate in treasure hunts and Night Vision walks.
The holiday park is located on the edge of the North York Moors National Park too which is also a great place to explore nature.
Mendip Basecamp, Somerset
Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Somerset’s Mendip Basecamp is home to a number of outdoor activities for explorers of all ages.
With a campsite and glamping onsite, the outdoor activity centre has a number of free activities every day and over 20 expert-led adventures to book including rock climbing, paddleboarding, caving and archery.
The camping pitches also have fire pits.
Mendip Basecamp also secured a VisitEngland Award for Excellence 2025 Camping, Glamping and was a Holiday Park of the Year finalist.
Ridgeway Adventure, Scotland
Ridgeway Adventure sits on Scotland’s NC500 and visitors can enjoy outdoor adventures tailored to each family, from mountain hikes to sea kayaking, wild swimming, foraging, and coastal survival skills.
Families can stay at Ardmore, which is just yards from the sea, in a cosy house with home-cooked meals provided daily – no cooking, no hassle.
The activities are organised for families and on their final day, visitors are free to enjoy it by themselves including beach walks.
Parkdean Resorts, nationwide
At Parkdean Resorts, there is the Bear Grylls Survival Academy: Shipwrecked.
Led by qualified instructors, the Bear Grylls Survival Academy enables young explorers to learn all about how to fend for themselves using just their natural surroundings.
The academy is suitable for all ages, but children under eight-years-old must be accompanied by an adult.