Woodland Connections

Woodland Connections At Woodland Connections we provide nature connection well-being based sessions in Derbyshire woodlands for children, for adults and for families.
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Private bookings, birthdays, staff well-being etc. Based in Shining Cliff and Shaw Wood but happy to travel!

Following the foul smell in Shining Cliff Woods until I discovered the cause - the stinkhorns. Once you’ve smelled one, ...
29/08/2026

Following the foul smell in Shining Cliff Woods until I discovered the cause - the stinkhorns. Once you’ve smelled one, you’ll recognise them anywhere!
Attracting flies to their awful smell these stinkhorn fungi are another thing in the woods that you can see why it gets its name. (Proper name: Phallus impudicus)
I’ll say no more!!
But there’s lots of interesting information about these whiffy woodland wonders on https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/stinkhorn/ if you’d like to find out more.

Jelly ear fungus - you can see why it gets its name! 👂In the hot weather, jelly ear dries to a shrivelled black crusty l...
28/08/2026

Jelly ear fungus - you can see why it gets its name! 👂
In the hot weather, jelly ear dries to a shrivelled black crusty looking thing, but with the heavy downpours they’ve regained their fabulous wibblyness.
Look out for them on living elder.

As the nights draw in and we head towards autumn, you know what that means ...MOON BATHING IS BACK!!These sessions fille...
26/08/2026

As the nights draw in and we head towards autumn, you know what that means ...
MOON BATHING IS BACK!!
These sessions filled quickly before so if you want to have a mindful experience in the woods after dark and explore with the ultra violet torches, book your place!
We have two sessions currently on sale as part of the research study for Derby University at only £5 per person!!
Then more will be added, but you may see the ticket price then incease as the additional sessions will not be funded.
Booking link in comments.

👂 We're always listening to your requests and suggestions and something that kept coming up was 'guided walks to learn m...
25/08/2026

👂 We're always listening to your requests and suggestions and something that kept coming up was 'guided walks to learn more about the woods'. So it may have taken us a while to fit these into our schedule, but the 3rd Stomp and Chomp guided walk is happening on 17th September, 6pm - 8:30pm

🌳 As you wander through the trees, expect to learn more about the history of the Grith Pioneers and how they built a community in the woods. Kate will share interesting tales of the woodland's past as she guides you.
🥣 When you reach the firepit area there will be hot campfire soup and crusty bread to enjoy.
🔦 As the light fades you will use the uv torches to discover things that fluoresce in the darkness!
🦉 We will then return to the parking area together, listening out for the owls along the way.

Tickets are £15 per person. Limited places available. Must be booked in advance.
Hope to see you there :)

My head was too full. So I spent a while looking at sticks. I highly recommend it - especially if you have a magnifying ...
22/08/2026

My head was too full. So I spent a while looking at sticks. I highly recommend it - especially if you have a magnifying glass 🔍💚

DON'T MISS OUT!FREE taster session for Home Educating families ✨Join us in Shining Cliff Woods on Tuesday 1st September ...
21/08/2026

DON'T MISS OUT!
FREE taster session for Home Educating families ✨
Join us in Shining Cliff Woods on Tuesday 1st September to say hello, see where we are and what we get up to. Or if you've attended our sessions before, come along and get back into the swing of things after the summer break.

Our Home Ed sessions offer a relaxed setting and the opportunity for home educating families to connect outdoors, with optional nature related activities on offer for both children and adults, with no pressure to do anything other than experience time together in the woods.
With a forest school ethos, our main focus is on child led learning through play.

So come and find out if what we offer is a good fit for your family.
Please help us share this with any home educating families that you know.
We can't wait to welcome new families and see our regulars again 😀

Places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Only 6 places still available for this day of indulgence and relaxation. Based at the Coach House Health & Wellness Cent...
20/08/2026

Only 6 places still available for this day of indulgence and relaxation. Based at the Coach House Health & Wellness Centre in Alfreton, a cosy retreat for the day.
Includes:
🌳 Forest Bathing
💚 Semantic Yoga
✨ Guided hand massage with essential oils
🍁 Mindful craft activity
🎶 Sound Bath
🧘‍♀️ Guided meditation
🥣 Healthy lunch
☕️ Hot and cold drinks throughout the day

A huge thank you to Claire for being a part of our Woodland Connections team these last few months. Any of you who atten...
19/08/2026

A huge thank you to Claire for being a part of our Woodland Connections team these last few months. Any of you who attended our sessions with Claire will agree that she brought so much kindness, and care and of course, fabulous crafts for us to try. We're so grateful that she was able to step in when needed but wish her so much luck with the amazing project that she's moving on to. We know that she will do amazing things in the community. Please take a look at Alfreton CAN and the new community garden in Alfreton as part of Grow Outside CIC
So sad to say goodbye to you in the woods, but will see you again soon elsewhere x 💚

Wonderful weaving in the woods yesterday 💚 Our Women Gathering session saw a collection of inspiring women coming togeth...
17/08/2026

Wonderful weaving in the woods yesterday 💚
Our Women Gathering session saw a collection of inspiring women coming together to enjoy time out amongst the trees. After a gentle, mindful wander we created a really fresh and healthy lunch together - no cooking over the fire this time! Then as we chatted we wove - spirals and connections guided by Claire and inspired by the roots, lichens and mycelium of the woods.
It was another beautiful day in the woodland 💚

🔥 unbelievably, people are still having fires in the woods!! So we ask a big favour from our local woodland community …A...
16/08/2026

🔥 unbelievably, people are still having fires in the woods!! So we ask a big favour from our local woodland community …

As you know, the woodland is exceptionally dry at the moment, so there is now a complete ban on fires and BBQs anywhere in Shining Cliff Woods.
We’re asking our lovely local community to help us keep an eye out.
If you see anyone lighting a fire, using a fire pit or BBQ, or having a fire anywhere in the woodland, please let us know. You can message us here or contact Shining Cliff hostel and we will deal with it by letting the relevant landowner know.
Or if necessary, just call 999

We know that approaching strangers can feel awkward — and please don’t feel that you need to confront anyone yourself. We’d much rather you stayed safe and simply let us know what you’ve seen.
This isn't about getting anyone into trouble. It’s about preventing what could be a devastating woodland fire. With the ground, vegetation and leaf litter so dry, even a small fire or ember could spread incredibly quickly.

Shining Cliff is precious to all of us, and protecting it is something we can all help with. 💚🌳
❌ No fires.
❌ No BBQs.
❌ No exceptions while the ban is in place.
And as always, take your litter home.

Thank you for keeping an eye out and helping us look after our woods. 🙏

Address

Shining Cliff Woods Near Ambergate
Derbyshire

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Sunday 8:30am - 7:30pm

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