Woodland Connections at Shining Cliff Woods is a collaboration between Shining Cliff Centre CIC and Bonnie McNabb from All About the Calm. We offer regular woodland sessions for children and adults, and special events throughout the year, like our Family Halloween Fun and our holiday children’s events. We also offer bespoke sessions to groups either based in Shining Cliff woods or we can come out to your site.
All our sessions are aimed at supporting our wellbeing, through the 5 Steps to Wellbeing (Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Connect, Give)
We use a ‘Pay It Forward’ ticket system to help us to sustainably continue to offer low-cost woodland wellbeing sessions to all ages. When you book via Eventbrite, the ticket options will include a ‘pay it forward’ ticket and the extra money you pay goes directly to our funding pot. This money is used to keep ticket prices low by funding the admin and session leader costs.
- Be Nurtured By Nature
- Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing
- Fettle, Kettle & Cake Volunteer group
- Women’s Circle
- Woodland Campfire Chill and Chat group
- Bespoke Wellbeing in the Woods sessions
- Grith Pioneer Woodland Volunteer days
Upcoming Workshops at Shining Cliff hostel
Join us on 7th April 2025 for a Photography in Nature workshop with Roger Morgan, an experienced photography tutor. No experience or equipment is needed, just book your place on our Eventbrite page!
Be Nurtured by Nature
Whether you are feeling the stress and strain of life, you enjoy a dose of nature well-being to keep on top of feeling good, or you just enjoy being in the great outdoors, this day in the woods is for you.
These Be Nurtured by Nature Days are flexible to suit your needs and interests. You are welcome to arrive in the morning and stay for the whole day or just come to one or two parts of the day. Please read the following information about what is included. The ticket price is the same, just £5 for however much of the day you join.
Shinrin-Yoku Forest Bathing
Throughout the year Kate & Bonnie lead guided Forest Bathing walks in Shining Cliff woodland.
Enjoy the calming effect of spending time in nature. Reduce stress and anxiety with guided mindful moments, take time to slow down, reconnect with yourself and with nature. Engage your senses and feel the busy day melt away.
Fettle, Kettle & Cake Volunteer sessions.
These free monthly Tuesday sessions provide a space for you to have some time-out in the woodland, having a go at a variety of woodland management tasks or helping to maintain the hostel grounds, meeting new people and enjoying a cuppa with some cake!
Tasks can include woodland maintenance, such as coppicing, path repairs, maintaining ditches, rhododendron pulling, sign maintenance & litter picking. Tasks may also involve helping to care for the grounds of Shining Cliff hostel.
Women’s Circle.
Join us for a magical gathering at Shining Cliff Woods! The Woodland Women’s Circle is a special event where we come together to share, listen and connect with nature, ourselves and each other.
This in-person event offers a safe space for women of all ages to unwind, recharge, and find inspiration. Whether you’re seeking solace, friendship, or simply a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Woodland Women’s Circle is the perfect opportunity to nurture your mind, body, and soul.
Chill and Chat Campfire Session
This is a very relaxed, welcoming monthly session where we sit around the campfire and chat together, usually held on the first Tuesday of the month. Drop in anytime between 1230 and 2.30pm, there is no obligation to stay for the whole session, just stay as long as you wish.
Although it is a free session, we do really appreciate a donation towards the cost of firewood and tea/coffee, you are very welcome to bring a cake or biscuits as your donation!
Bespoke Woodland sessions.
Shining Cliff Centre C.I.C, in partnership with Bonnie McNabb of ‘All About the Calm’ offers bespoke woodland sessions tailored to your group requirements. These bespoke sessions can be for hostel groups, people hiring the Beech Hut or any group wanting to simply come and enjoy the woodland for the day and have a bespoke session tailored to your needs.
If you have an idea in mind, for your company, friends, family or community group then please get in touch to discuss what we can offer you.
Activities offered can include forest bathing, guided woodland walks, practical conservation tasks, learning or building on skills such as using tools for simple woodland crafts, learning to build and cook on an outdoor fire, treasure hunts, birthday parties, team building games and activities, providing support to become confident at spending time in a woodland setting. We are open to ideas and suggestions and can tailor a session to meet your group’s needs.
We also offer a magical range of children’s birthday parties, please get in touch to request our party information pack.
Grith Pioneer Woodland Volunteer days
Shining Cliff hostel is owned by the Grith Pioneers, a charity with the aim of protecting, improving and conserving the physical and natural environment of the land owned for the benefit of the public.
The charity is made up of members, they hold a regular AGM and welcome volunteers to their regular work days in the woods, carrying out tasks to help them maintain this beautiful woodland.
For more information on getting involved, becoming a member and helping out with the woodland management contact grithpioneers@gmail.com
