Many of the sessions are available all year round, but some are best done at certain times of the year. For example, the worm survey (KS3) is best done in the winter or spring when the ground is softer, but the plant life cycles and reproduction session for Year 5 is best done in April/May when the bluebells are out. Therefore, it is best to check the best time of year to do the session you’d like to book.

The classroom in the Bluebell Centre has space for 30 children and accompanying adults. If you would like to bring more than one class to the reserve at the same time this may be possible, but please enquire about this.

Yes. Most of the sessions shown are two hours long, but you can book two sessions and come for a full day.

Morning sessions are usually 10am-12 and afternoon sessions 12.30-2.30pm, but we are flexible and happy to move the start time to suit you.  Half day sessions are two hours long.

The environmental education sessions are delivered by Nicola Goddard and Gillian de Soyres.

Nicola has more than seven years experience teaching biology up to the age of 18. She is a Trustee of the Selborne Society and also leads Perivale Wood Rangers. In addition, Nicola is an examiner for Cambridge International Examinations, where she is the Principal Examiner for the Alternative to Practical paper for IGCSE biology and Team Leader for the Extended Theory paper for IGCSE biology.

Gillian is an Advanced Forest School Practitioner. She worked for a leading environmental charity for 8 years and specialised in creating environmental learning resources and running large scale community and corporate environmental events. Gillian has experience developing and delivering education and youth environmental, conservation and gardening projects.

Both Nicola and Gillian have DBS checks and First Aid training.  All the sessions are planned with a full risk assessment, available upon request.

Primary school sessions are charged at £120 per half day session (£240 for a full day session) and secondary schools are charged at £150 per half day session (£300 for a full day session).
Please email education@selbornesociety.org.uk to enquire about the cost of Mini Rangers and other group sessions.

All invoices should be paid two weeks before the date of the session booked.  If you have to cancel the session for any reason this must be done at least two weeks before the date of the session to get a refund or to rebook.

We would only cancel the session in extremely bad weather, e.g. in high winds when it would be dangerous to enter the woodland. If there is light rain we can put up a tarpaulin over part of the Central Clearing where we take most school groups. We also have use of the classroom in the Bluebell Centre and the session can be adapted so that more time is spent inside.

Most of the paths are suitable for wheelchair and pram use, although if the weather has been bad then there are some sections that become muddy. The Bluebell Centre and toilet has disabled access.

Yes it is possible to do this, but your visit must be booked in advance. The reserve is gated and locked and so someone must be onsite to let you in and out of the reserve.

Generally, we are outside for the duration of the session whatever the weather. This means that all children must be appropriately dressed. When the children are not dressed adequately it spoils their experience. It is extremely important that you check the weather forecast and prepare your group accordingly.

We highly recommend that children wear a waterproof jacket.  Waterproof trousers or a waterproof all-in-one suit are also recommended.  There are two main reasons for this. The first is protection – from things that can ‘sting and prick’ and the second is for protection from the elements – mud and water! Strong waterproof footwear is essential – wellies are really good in wet/ muddy weather. Perivale Wood has brambles and nettles so everyone coming to the wood (including all adults) must be in long trousers and long sleeved tops with sturdy shoes/wellington boots. Young people can wear their own gloves. We also recommend that you ensure your young person has the appropriate sun protection to include sun lotion applied prior to their attendance and head wear for example a sun hat or a cap. It is very important that all children are wearing insect repellent during the late spring, summer and early autumn.

There is on street parking outside the reserve. This is unrestricted at the weekends, but during the week you have to have a residents parking permit between the hours of 9-10am and 2-3pm. The nearest unrestricted parking is on Bilton Road, about 5 minutes walk from the reserve. There is also pay and display parking outside Perivale station.

The entrance to the reserve is from Sunley Gardens in Perivale (UB6 7PE) – a short walk northwards from Perivale London Underground (Central Line) station.

The nearest bus stop is for the 297, and the E5 and 95 both stop on Teignmouth Gardens, a short walk away.

Yes you can bring food to the reserve, but are reminded that all litter should be collected and taken away.

We offer bespoke sessions to suit your needs. Contact us at to find out more about what we can offer.

Yes, many groups like to come for a full day and combine an environmental session with a forest school session. If you would like to do this we would split the group into two so that one group does a forest school session in the morning and then an environmental session in the afternoon. The other group would do the environmental session in the morning and the forest school session in the afternoon. This way the children have a greater learning and outdoor experience as they have more contact time with the equipment, the activity and the teacher.

All children coming to Perivale Wood Rangers and Mini Rangers need to be accompanied by an adult, who is responsible for them at all times.

Perivale Wood is open to members of the Selborne Society and their guests. The reserve’s perimeter is fenced and the only entrance is via a locked gate on Sunley Gardens. Information about how to become a member can be found at SelborneSociety.org.uk

Information about the Selborne Society and how to become a member can be found at SelborneSociety.org.uk

Yearly membership costs £10 for an adult, £15 for a couple at the same address, £3 per child.

Lifetime membership is £200 and joint lifetime membership is £350.