Explore, play and learn all about the natural world our monthly nature club for children aged 4-11 years old.

Learn all about the natural world by exploring the nature site West Boldon Lodge at these staff-led sessions. Each month we’ll have a new focus discovering the many natural wonders including bug hunting, pond dipping, bird feeding, and veg growing. We’ll foster a love of nature through a wide range of activities including play, crafts and child-led learning.

Children aged under 8 must be supervised by an adult (8 and over can be dropped off).

You can book single sessions for £8 per child, or pay up front for 5 sessions at a reduced rate of £6 per child per session (once you’ve paid for the block booking, simply reserve your spaces on each session and we’ll keep track of you using your 5 tickets - you don’t have to attend every month).

4^th Saturday of each month, 2:00 - 4:00pm
Sat 23^rd July - Veg growing
Sat 27^th August - Fantastic flowers
Sat 24^th September - Pond dipping
Sat 22^nd October - Bird feeding
Sat 26^th November - Autumn exploring

More information

Behaviour & supervision
Children under the age of 8 must be supervised by a responsible adult.
Parents do not have to stay with children aged 8+ provided their child sticks to our behaviour agreement. The session leader will discuss this on arrival, but includes being respectful to all and the natural environment, listening to instructions, and not doing anything that they have not been shown or told how to do safely. Failure to abide by this agreement may require the parent to pick up the child, and could result in being banned from sessions as per our self-led activities policy.
There are various dangers including a road, lake, and National Grid sub-station on site which you will be informed of upon check in, or you can see our site risk assessment here. Adults are welcome to stay if they wish.

Accessibility
We are well equipped to welcome visitors with a range of abilities. Please inform us in advance if anyone in your party has any additional requirements so we can make sure you're able to access and enjoy our site and activities.

Clothing
Some sessions will take place outdoors. You must wear sturdy shoes or boots and should wear long-sleeves and trousers to protect from insects and nettles.

Weather
Please come prepared for the weather with warm layers and waterproofs in bad weather or sun protection and water on hot days.
In strong winds or severe storms it may not be safe to go into the woods. If our staff perceive there to be a safety risk, we may have to move the event indoors.

Food and drink
Cold drinks will be available. You may wish to leave your child with a snack.

Getting here
There is car parking on site, but we recommend taking public transport if possible. Do not use just the postcode in Sat. Navs as it often does not bring you to the right place. For directions visit https://tiny.cc/findwbl.

Times & arrival
You can arrive and drop of children from 15 minutes before the start time but no earlier. You must collect your child at the finish time.
Please check in at reception on arrival. You do not need to bring tickets.

Cancellation
If you ned to cancel your booking before the session, please let us know as soon as possible and we will re-list your tickets. If they re-sell, we will offer you a full refund. If they do not re-sell, we will offer a voucher to re-book for another date, but no refund.
If we have to cancel for any reason, we will offer a refund or a voucher to re-book for another date. This must be claimed within 30 days of the date the event was due to take place.
Any donations made at the time of booking (on top of your ticket cost) are non-refundable.