Trips and Adventures | Prep Life

Twyford Explorers: A Spirit of Outdoor Adventure

At Twyford, we believe that a healthy body and a healthy mind go hand-in-hand - that some of the most powerful learning takes place beyond the classroom walls.

This philosophy underpins Twyford Explorers, our dynamic and evolving outdoor learning programme. Set within our beautiful school grounds, children from Nursery to Year 8 are immersed in the natural world.

Our woodland shelter, a bespoke outdoor classroom nestled among the trees, serves as a hub of activity throughout the year. Here, pupils pitch tents, gather for storytelling sessions, take part in woodland projects, and enjoy cooking over our fire pit - pitta bread, homemade soup, and toasted marshmallows are firm favourites. Through bushcraft and environmental education, pupils learn how to engage safely and confidently with the great outdoors, fostering resilience, promoting teamwork, and cultivating independence.

From day trips to week-long residentials, each experience is thoughtfully designed to stretch children both physically and mentally, with activities including climbing, orienteering, sailing, and canoeing. By the time they reach the upper years, pupils are equipped not just with outdoor skills but also with the self-assurance and character that will serve them for life.

Our youngest children begin with our Forest School programme in Pre-Prep, and as they progress through the School, so too does the scale and scope of their adventures.

From day trips to week-long residentials, each experience is thoughtfully designed to stretch children both physically and mentally, with activities including climbing, orienteering, sailing, and canoeing. By the time they reach the upper years, pupils are equipped not just with outdoor skills but also with the self-assurance and character that will serve them for life.

Here’s a taste of the trips our children enjoy during the year, though these may vary from time to time.

Outdoor Pursuits Journey - Trips and Residentials:

Year 3 - First-Time Adventurers at Ferny Crofts

For many Year 3 pupils, this is their first night away from home - and Ferny Crofts provides the ideal setting for a fun and supportive introduction to outdoor adventure. Set in the heart of the New Forest, Ferny Crofts offers the perfect blend of excitement and safety, where children zip through the trees, crawl through tunnels, scale high ropes, and cheer each other on. Evenings are filled with laughter, games, and reflection, helping children grow in self-belief, forge friendships, and create lasting memories.

Year 4 - Coastal Challenges and Teamwork at Calshot

At Calshot, Year 4 pupils take on a wide range of land and water-based activities, including kayaking, sailing, indoor skiing, climbing, and archery. The trip encourages problem-solving, effective communication, and perseverance - especially during the team initiative course. Whether mastering new skills or offering mutual support through a challenge, pupils develop self-assurance and a strong sense of camaraderie in this engaging coastal environment.

Year 5 - Campcraft and Mountain Biking at Ferny Crofts

At Ferny Crofts, Year 5 pupils step into the role of true campers - pitching tents, preparing meals, and taking responsibility for their campsite. Days are packed with energetic activities including climbing, crate challenges, bushcraft, and mountain biking through forest trails. This trip nurtures independence, builds fortitude, and hones practical outdoor skills, helping pupils gain confidence and relish the rewards of hands-on learning in the natural environment.

Year 6 - Bushcraft Week at Wormsley Estate

Bushcraft Week at Wormsley Estate gives Year 6 pupils a powerful taste of outdoor living, where the forest becomes their classroom. Guided by Campfire Wild Adventures, children acquire essential survival skills - from building shelters and purifying water to cooking over open fires and preparing food. Collaborating closely as teams, they develop resilience, self-reliance, and a deep respect for nature, all while mastering practical skills they'll never forget.

Year 7 - Leadership and Legacy in Aberdovey

The Year 7 residential in Aberdovey is the final step in the Explorers journey - a five-day adventure focused on leadership, challenge, and reflection. Pupils engage in high-adrenaline activities such as rock climbing, jetty jumping, kayaking, and wild camping, strengthening their self-belief and autonomy in stunning natural surroundings. With each challenge, they gain deeper insights into themselves and each other, cultivating tenacity, empathy, and the capacity to lead. It’s a meaningful and memorable way to mark the culmination of their outdoor education at Twyford.

Other residential trips

Year 7 - Cultural Immersion at Château de la Baudonnière, Normandy

Year 8 - Leavers' Alpine trip in Ponte di Legno, Lombardy, Italy

Each residential trip is more than just a getaway - it’s a carefully designed experience that cultivates independence, shapes character and creates lasting memories. From that very first zip-line to the final trek or team challenge, our pupils grow in self-assurance, bravery, and connection - with nature, with each other, and with themselves.

Whether it’s toasting marshmallows in the woods, wild camping in Wales, or navigating the markets of Normandy, Twyford Explorers is more than just outdoor learning - it’s a journey that ignites curiosity, builds resilience, and delivers unforgettable experiences.