The winter is full of light. Bright fires, glowing candles, twinkling stars and - already - sparks of birdsong.
In early December, while the bare twigs and grey skies seemed dead, we found warmth and life tucked in amongst the folds of moss green and blanketing leaves. The bluebells are pushing through the soil, and soon the woods and fields will be greening.
This green in the grey is celebrated in the Jack in the Green event on 5th January. I'm taking that energy, together with the warmth and thanks of those who come exploring with me, to create new adventures for the new year.
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Jack in the Green
Sunday 5th January 2-4pm
"Have you seen Jack-in-the-Green?
With his long tail hanging down
He quietly sits under every tree
In the folds of his velvet gown." Jethro Tull
Moss shines out brightly in the winter woods. Celebrate the green of midwinter: make a mini-mossarium with snowdrops, lichen and an acorn cup for Jack to drink the morning dew. Make a frost-rimmed drink for yourself and search out the snowflake biscuits. Warm your fingers and toes by the campfire.
£14 per child aged 4 to 15. Refreshments for adults also included.
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Dear Zoo
Tuesday 18 February 10.30-12
Find the boxes sent by the zoo. Build a little zoo from wooden blocks to play with the animals. Make a log dog to take home. Includes hot and cold drinks for all.
£6.50 per child aged 2-8, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Dino day
Tuesday 18 February 1.30-3.00
Dig up some fossil dinosaurs and follow the footprints to find an enormous egg!
Enjoy a dinosaur biscuit and take your own excavated dinosaur home.
£9 per child aged 2-11, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Big bad mouse
Friday 21 February 10.30 - 12 noon
Tell the tale of the scariest creature in all the wood. Make a shadow puppet and a willow screen to play with.
Enjoy some Gruffalo crumble.
£12 per child aged 2-8, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Winter camp
Friday 21 February 1.15pm - 3.45pm
Build a shelter against the wind and make your own mini fire to cook marshmallows. Learn to make a camp tripod to hang a cooking pot for mulled apple juice; whittle a cooking stick and plate for your sausage.
£15 per child aged 6 to 12, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Up with the lark
Sunday 6th April 6.00am - 8.00am
Amble through the woods to learn woodland bird songs, taking home a guide to the ones you are most likely to hear. Climb the hill to the skylarks, for coffee, hot chocolate and croissants as the sun comes up.
£8 per person aged 7 to adult
Cherry Garden Road, Eastbourne | |
Easter Eggs
Friday 11th April 10.30pm - 12.30pm Follow the trail to find the special eggs left by the woodland birds... Play games to learn bird names, melt chocolate to make an edible nest for your eggs.
£12 per child aged 3-12, adult free
Wild Weald, Hellingly | |
Easter bunnies
Friday 18th April 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Find all the hidden rabbits as we go into the woods - one is looking after some rabbit biscuits for you! Sit by the fire and make your own Easter bunny to take home.
£12 per child aged 4-12, adult free
Wild Weald, Hellingly | |
Bluebells and birdsong
Sunday 27th April 10am - 12.30pm
A gentle amble in the Wild Weald, learning birdsong and enjoying hot drinks and home made biscuits amid the bluebells. Browse the books, bring drawing or painting materials if you like, and soak up the joy.
£9 per person aged 8-adult
Wild Weald, Hellingly | |
Hungry caterpillars
Tuesday 27 May 10.30-12
Find the caterpillars munching the tree leaves, make a bluebell seed pod caterpillar to play with and make a caterpillar biscuit to eat.
£10 per child aged 2 to 12, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Magic potions
Tuesday 27 May 1.00-2.30
Make a magic wand to find the tiny fairies in the woods, and create a delicious potion to drink and fairy cake to eat. Take your fairy home with its own magical garden.
£12 per child aged 2 to 12, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Mouse house
Friday 30 May 10.30-12
Find the little mice in their tree trunk home. They need to move house - can you make them one to take them home?
£10 per child aged 2 to 12, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Elderflower magic
Friday 30 May 1.30-3.30
Collect elderflowers to make pancakes on the fire, try elderflower cordial, make an elderflower pencil and jewellery.
£15 per child aged 5 to 15, adult free
Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
Coming up in the summer and autumn...
Dragon day, Chocolate frogs, Robin Hood, Tree language, Ponds and marshes, Owl workshop, Helpful hedgehogs.... | |
Wreath workshop
Sunday 7 Dec 2025 1pm - 3.30pm
Advance reservations being taken! Family workshop around the fire, creating a beautiful wreath and other decorations.
£17 per person aged 6-adult Bluebell Wood, Arlington | |
To book, email [email protected]
Adults must accompany children - free unless otherwise stated | |
The Bluebell Wood in Arlington is also the home of Bates Green Garden, a gorgeous setting for some new events. You may have seen it featured in a recent Gardeners World episode! It is open to visit on Wednesdays from February to October, but they are also running a series of Thursday workshops, two of which are led by me:
Dawn Chorus Walk Thursday 1st May, 8-10am
Guided Woodland Walk Thursday 2nd October, 9.30-11.30am
For more information and to book, visit their site here.
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SPARKS OF LIGHT...
"Thank you so much for your hard work and enthusiasm this year. Forest Folk is a real highlight for us."
"Thank you for such a brilliant year. It's the highlight of our fortnight to be able to hang out in the forest, thank you for all the magic you create."
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My woodland playgroups are my happiest place. I love introducing tiny people to Sussex wildlife, but their grown-ups are just as important.
I love hearing "I never knew that!" and knowing that the families will remember these experiences on their own walks and adventures. My waiting list includes as yet unborn children, so I have added another Tuesday morning "Acorn Folk" group to start in January.
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Acorn Folk runs on Tuesdays, 10.30-12 for 2 to 4 year olds.
Bluebell Club runs Fridays, 10.30-12 & 12.45-2.15, for 2 to 4 year olds.
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I have been running an after-school club at Motcombe infant school for over a decade, and from January I have added an extra day on Thursdays, to meet demand.
There are a couple of spaces left, if your Year 1 or Year 2 Motcombe child would enjoy campfire cooking, woodworking and wildlife investigation.
It's £7 per session, payable termly - email me for more information. | |
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NEW! "FOREST FRIDAYS"
The outdoor learning groups for home-educated children, Forest Folk, are still fully booked, so I have added some extra Friday afternoon sessions dotted throughout the year.
These Forest Fridays are one-off sessions aimed at children aged 5-12, tailored to the interest of the children. They take place in the beautiful, private Bluebell Wood in Arlington, on subjects such as pond dipping, fire lighting, woodcraft and tree lore. £8 per session, 1-3pm. Email to book!
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NEW! WILD WEALD WOODLAND SPACE
I am pleased to say that we have another private ancient woodland to play in. Wild Weald, near Hellingly, is a beautiful bluebell woodland tucked away from the world, but with free parking and toilets. It is not generally open to the public, so our spring bluebell events can have a quiet home.
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A book recommendation for you...
Slow Seasons by Rosie Steer is full of good things to eat and do at all parts of the turning year.
We particularly enjoyed the pine needle shortbread. No picture of them, I'm sorry, they were all eaten!
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Delight in the warmth of wintering.
Come and find those sparks of light!
See you in the wild.
Sarah Wilesmith | |
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www.cherrywoodadventures.co.uk
07887 556336
www.facebook.com/cherrywoodadventures | |
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