Heligan Rangers

Heligan Rangers embody the spirit of adventure, curiosity and connection with the natural world at The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

Guided by a deep respect for the environment and a passion for inspiring future explorers, Rangers activities encourage our younger visitors to engage their senses, ask questions and discover the wonders of nature through hands-on experiences. Rooted in Heligan’s heritage of discovery and care for the land, Heligan Rangers foster a sense of stewardship and wonder — nurturing not only knowledge, but also a lifelong love for the wild places that surround us. Let them grow wild – the Heligan way.

For curious 6–11 year olds who thrive in the great outdoors.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays during term-time between 5pm – 6:30pm, young explorers are invited to become Heligan Rangers — a weekly adventure set in the heart of the iconic Lost Gardens of Heligan.

This unique outdoor club offers an enriching mix of play, discovery, and connection with nature, all led by our passionate and experienced outdoor team.

Become a Heligan Ranger in 2026

We are excited to announce that our next block of Heligan Rangers after-school club is available for you to book.

This will be a six-week block running on either Tuesdays or Thursdays from the week commencing February 23. The cost for this block will be £42. Each session will be held from 5pm to 6.30pm

Choose from

Tuesday sessions: February 24, March 3, 10, 17 & 31 2026

Thursday sessions: February 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 & April 2, 2026

Book your places here

Each term, sessions will include:

Nature & Wellbeing: Wind down after a busy school day with mindful woodland walks, peaceful moments under the trees, and creative nature-based activities that help children recharge and feel grounded.

Citizen Science & Conservation: From mini beast hunts to bird watching and seasonal nature surveys, children will gain hands-on experience as young conservationists, learning how to observe and protect the world around them.

Creative & Practical Outdoor Skills: Den building, natural crafts, fire lighting and storytelling bring out each child’s creativity and confidence, encouraging teamwork and resilience in a safe, supportive environment.

Rooted in the values of kindness, curiosity and creativity, each session offers something new — and plenty of fresh air and fun!

Tuesdays and Thursdays | Drop off at The Hollow 5:30pm – Collection from The Hollow 7pm.

· Set in the inspiring surroundings of the Lost Gardens of Heligan

· Small group sizes for personal attention and a high-quality experience

· Outdoor clothing and a sense of adventure recommended!

Let them grow wild — the Heligan way.

Our winter term is now fully booked and well underway.

In the unlikely event that we experience high winds or adverse weather events that impact on the maintenance of safety across our gardens, we will close the site to the public and reserve the right to cancel at short notice. In this instance we would notify families as soon as possible and offer refunds or rebooking.

Our after-school clubs are drop-off sessions only unless your child has specific needs that require your presence during the session. If necessary, please discuss this with us prior to booking so that we can ensure that your child’s needs are appropriately met.

Please meet us in The Hollow at 5pm. The Hollow is to the right of the ticket office and will be signposted for you. We will be ready and waiting to meet you and your child/ren.

At the end of the session, we will bring the children back to The Hollow. Please meet us there to collect your child/ren at 6:30pm.

Our Heligan Rangers After-School Clubs are outdoor sessions – we will spend all of our time outside, so please ensure that your child comes equipped for the changeable Cornish weather in comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. As Wainright said “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing!”

Waterproofs – ideally trousers and a jacket, particularly on typical Cornish days!
Wellies for damp days or old trainers or similar for dry days
Warm clothes and layers in cold weather – including hats and gloves
A refillable water bottle – we have plenty of access to fresh water, so these can be refilled as needed.
Medication as appropriate – this must have been detailed on the consent form or, if medication requirements have changed since completing the booking form, detailed in a notification email to the Learning & Wellbeing team

Please do not send your child with a mobile phone or any other electronic devices – there will be no opportunity to use them, and we cannot guarantee their safety.

Sessions will be led by our Learning Engagement Lead – a qualified teacher - as well as our other experienced team members. All members of the Rangers team have undertaken an enhanced DBS check and completed appropriate Safeguarding Training. We ensure that at least one member of the Rangers team on site each day is trained in Paediatric First Aid. All the team are familiar with Heligan’s Safeguarding Policy & Procedures. We will ensure a ratio of no more than 8 children to 1 member of staff.

Before the block starts

· A full refund will be offered if you cancel more than a week before the block starts.

· If you cancel within the last week before the block starts and we can fill your space, we will offer a full refund.

Once the block has started

· Fees are normally non-refundable. Please let us know of any exceptional circumstances.

Missed sessions

· We cannot refund or credit missed sessions due to e.g. holidays or minor illness.

· If Heligan must cancel a session, we’ll either arrange another session or refund you for the missed session.

If we make changes

· If we cancel the whole block before it starts you will receive a full refund

· If we change something important (such times or days) and you can’t attend, we will refund you for affected sessions.

Is your toddler curious about the great outdoors? Come and explore with Heligan’s Mini Rangers, a fun, nature-filled group designed to nurture curiosity and encourage outdoor learning!

Each week, your little one will enjoy exciting adventures, from nature walks and bug hunts to sensory play and exploring the wonders of the woods. Our sessions are all about fostering creativity, developing motor skills and sparking a lifelong love for nature, all while having fun with other curious tots.

With hands-on activities, outdoor exploration, stories, songs and lots of laughter, Heligan’s Mini Rangers is the perfect way for toddlers to learn, grow and connect with the natural world in a safe, welcoming environment.