Essential Visit Information

 

We recommend a pre-site visit to familiarise staff with the site, if you would like a ranger to meet you on site to discuss your visit please call (01842) 816028 to arrange a mutually convenient  time .

On arrival

There is now a vehicle access charging system in use at High Lodge Forest Centre. All vehicles are required to take a ticket from the barrier on entry. Please ensure that your coach driver parks in the ‘designated area’. Follow the parking signs on the forest drive.

Toilets are available in the toilet block situated outside High Lodge Forest Centre. It is recommended that pupils make a toilet trip before a visit commences, especially if they are young.

Self-Led Visits

Check in at the Forest Centre shop to let the staff know you have arrived.
Any pre-ordered squirrel scamper packs or orienteering maps can be collected and paid for at the shop on the day.

Storage of lunches and other equipment

Unfortunately we do not have provision to store packed lunches or coats at present.

These can either be left on the coach or carried around by the pupils and then gathered together at a central point during the activities.

Please bring refuse bags to put your litter into and dispose of in the rubbish bins that are provided.

Wet weather provision

Currently we have no classroom to accommodate children if the weather is inclement, we recommend wet weather clothing for all members of the group.

Please make sure pupils are appropriately attired with wet weather clothing and footwear.

In extreme weather such as high winds, thunder storms and lightening, activities may be stopped due to safety reasons.

Shop & Café

The shop sells a range of pocket money gifts. Ice creams and soft drinks are available from Food to Go.

A selection of gifts are available in goody bags. Please order these using the ‘Goody Bag’ order form that is supplied when booking your visit and return with the signed copy of your booking form. Goody bags are £2.50 each and payment for these can be made on the day, on collection from High Lodge Shop.

Please call (01842) 816028 for enquiries relating to goody bags and large orders of ice creams.
We do ask that teachers accompany the children during the busy periods and divide the children into groups of 10 at any time.

It would be most helpful if the children brought loose change for their ‘pocket money’ purchases.
Opening hours are from 9am-5pm during the week.

Students will not be able to eat their lunch in the Café, regardless of weather conditions.

Safety information

A generic self led risk assessment is provided, when booking your visit.

Please ensure the group are wearing appropriate clothing for the visit. It is the responsibility of the group leader to ensure that students are wearing appropriate clothing for their activity e.g. long trousers, long sleeved tops and closed toe shoes.

Duty rangers are First Aid trained and do carry First Aid kits and mobile phones, although the prime responsibility for rendering First Aid remains with the group leader.

Please ensure that there is the appropriate number of supervisors to pupils (LEA guidelines). The prime responsibility for this will remain with the group leader.