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School trips to BOLDERWOOD ARBORETUM

School and Group Visits to Bolderwood Arboretum

Enrichment Activity

This is a non-bookable, publicly-accessible activity with no charge for entry. As such, we cannot guarantee availability. We are not able to provide sample Risk Assessments or Provider Statements for this activity.

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Wild Deer & Arboretum Trails

Discover wild fallow deer and towering ancient trees at Bolderwood Arboretum & Deer Sanctuary in the New Forest. Enjoy wildlife watching, nature trail exploration, and outdoor learning.

Wild Deer Watching

Observe herds of wild fallow deer from the purpose-built viewing platform. Youngsters examine herd hierarchies, grazing habits, and seasonal antler development across the open meadow sanctuary.

New Forest wildlife sanctuary featuring a purpose-built deer viewing platform, giant trees, and woodland trails.Education Destination


Nestled in the heart of the New Forest National Park, Bolderwood Arboretum & Deer Sanctuary offers a captivating outdoor classroom for school residential stays. Famous for its purpose-built deer viewing platform, ancient pasture woodlands, and towering specimen trees, the venue immerses pupils in rich natural heritage.

A visit enriches classroom learning across key curriculum themes including Animals, Habitats & Biodiversity, Forests, Climate, Weather & Environment, Local History, Normans, Medieval / Middle Ages, Victorians, and Literature & Creative Writing. Youngsters observe herd behaviours, investigate woodland ecosystems, and explore historic royal forest management.

Pupils can follow marked woodland trails through stands of giant redwoods and native broadleaves, conduct tree identification surveys, and watch wild fallow deer graze in the meadow. Interactive sensory walks and nature sketching encourage youngsters to look closely at forest biodiversity and environmental conservation.

Equipped with spacious grassy picnic lawns, accessible paths, and public toilet facilities, Bolderwood fits effortlessly into any New Forest itinerary, offering an uplifting combination of wildlife discovery, refreshing outdoor exploration, and memorable group fun for every pupil.

Towering Forest Trees

Explore stands of giant redwood and Douglas fir trees planted during Victorian times. Youngsters identify native broadleaves, measure massive tree trunks, and study woodland ecosystems.

Woodland Nature Trails

Accessible waymarked trails guide youngsters through ancient pasture woodlands. Pupils discover forest floor minibeasts, investigate decaying fallen timber, and learn about sustainable conservation.

Sensory Forest Study

Towering canopies, fragrant pine needles, and woodland birdsong provide youngsters with inspiring sensory stimuli. Pupils collect field notes, sketch majestic trees, and write descriptive nature poetry.

Historic Royal Hunting

Discover how William the Conqueror established the New Forest in 1079 as a royal hunting reserve. Pupils learn about Norman forest law, medieval kings, and traditional local commoning rights.

Key Learnings

Animals, Habitats & Biodiversity

The purpose-built viewing platform overlooks a resident herd of fallow deer, while the ancient pasture woodland and arboretum provide diverse habitats for forest birds, invertebrates, and woodland wildlife.

Climate, Weather & Environment

Featuring towering specimen trees and ancient woodland, the site offers an ideal outdoor classroom for studying tree carbon capture, woodland ecosystems, and sustainable forest conservation.

Forests

Home to magnificent native broadleaves alongside giant exotic conifers, the trails and arboretum enable pupils to investigate tree identification, forest life cycles, and woodland management.

Medieval / Middle Ages

Pupils can investigate how medieval monarchs managed the area as an exclusive royal hunting ground, exploring historical deer husbandry, forest law, and traditional commoners' rights.

Normans

Directly linked to William the Conqueror establishing the New Forest in 1079 as a royal hunting reserve, the sanctuary illustrates the origins of Norman forest law and royal deer protection.

Victorians

Planted from the 1850s onwards, the arboretum illustrates the Victorian fascination with botany and the introduction of exotic North American conifers, including giant redwoods and Douglas firs.

Location

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