Heligan Rangers
Let them grow wild – the Heligan way.
Heligan Rangers is a children’s club for curious young explorers with a love of nature and the outdoors.
From discovering wildlife and exploring wild places to getting muddy and seeing the natural world up close, Rangers learn by being outside, getting involved and following their curiosity.
Based at our new Centre for Nature Futures Hub, the Lodge is the Heligan Rangers’ main HQ – a beautiful, state-of-the-art undercover space where children can gather, learn and connect with nature whatever the weather.
At Heligan, nature is the classroom, the playground and the adventure.
Come and join the Heligan Rangers. Adventure awaits.
Get ready for October half term with Heligan Rangers Holiday club!
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Holiday Club for 6 to 11 year olds
Get ready for October half term with Heligan Rangers Holiday club!
Wednesday, October 28
Ages: 6 to 11
Meet at the Hollow: Arrival 8:45am to start at 9am and collection at 3pm -
Holiday Club for 8 to 12 year olds
Back by popular demand our 8 to 12 year old Holiday Club has officially arrived!
Wednesday, October 21
Tuesday, October 27
Ages: 8 to 12
Meet at the Hollow: Arrival 8:45am to start at 9am and collection at 3pm
Frequently asked questions
Join the Heligan Rangers for a series of Family Nature Quests, where curious minds and adventurous spirits can uncover the secrets of the natural world before heading out into the gardens to explore for themselves.
With expert guidance, hands-on discovery and plenty of opportunities to look a little closer, each quest invites families to learn, explore and reconnect with the wild — together.
Family beaver quest
Follow the clues. Discover the engineers of the wild.
Beavers are remarkable creatures, shaping the landscapes they call home. Discover how these natural engineers transform their surroundings and create habitats for other wildlife.
Then, with your curiosity at the ready, venture into the wilds of Heligan’s beaver wetland with a nature guide. Look for signs of beaver activity, uncover clues left behind and discover the stories hidden along the water’s edge. Keep your eyes peeled — you never know what you might encounter.
Family fungi quest
Look closer. A hidden world awaits.
Beneath our feet, across fallen logs and among the leaves, an extraordinary world is quietly at work.
Step into the fascinating kingdom of fungi and discover the vital role these remarkable organisms play in the natural world. Then head out into the gardens to seek out curious shapes, striking colours and the wonderful variety of fungi growing all around us.
From the familiar to the unexpected, there’s always more to discover when you look a little closer.
Family owl quest - after dark
Silent wings. Sharp senses. Secrets of the night.
Masters of stealth, owls have extraordinary adaptations that help them hunt beneath the cover of darkness.
Discover how these elusive birds see, hear and move through the night, then venture into the gardens as dusk settles to search for signs of these remarkable nocturnal hunters.
Listen carefully, look closely and uncover the secrets of life after dark.
Family bat quest - at dusk
Into the twilight. On the trail of bats.
As evening draws in, the skies above Heligan become a hunting ground for one of our most fascinating flying mammals.
Discover how bats navigate in darkness, communicate through sound and hunt for insects on the wing. Then join a nature guide to explore the gardens at dusk, using a bat detector to tune in to their remarkable calls.
Watch the skies, listen for their signals and discover the magic of bats as they emerge into the twilight.
Family fungi quest - after dark
A hidden world. Revealed by UV light.
When darkness falls, the natural world takes on a whole new character.
Join our expert-led After Dark Family Fungi Quest and set out to explore Heligan’s gardens, woodlands and meadows by UV light. Search for fungi, lichens and tiny creatures, discovering unexpected details and curious colours that can be revealed beneath ultraviolet illumination.
With every beam of light comes another opportunity to look closer, ask questions and uncover the extraordinary hidden world around us.
An adventure for curious minds, keen explorers and anyone who loves discovering nature’s surprises.
Before your visit, please take a moment to read the following important information to help you prepare for your quest.
What to wear
Our Family Quests take place in areas of the Heligan estate that may be muddy in places, and we may venture into the undergrowth. We recommend wearing sturdy, waterproof footwear or wellies, along with long sleeves and trousers to help keep you comfortable during your adventure.
Meeting point
The meeting point for all Family Quests is the Hollow, located to the right of the Ticket Office. Please make your way to this meeting point at your scheduled event time.
Important information
Children: All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the quest.
Food and drink: Food and drink are not provided, so you are welcome to bring a drink and a snack with you.
Binoculars: You are welcome to bring binoculars to help you explore and discover more about the natural world.
Torches: For our Family Owl Quest, Family Bat Quest and After Dark – Family Fungi Quest, you are welcome to bring a torch or head torch.
Photography: For our Family Owl Quest and Family Bat Quest, please do not use cameras with a flash.
Dogs: Dogs must not be brought along to our Family Owl Quest or Family Bat Quest.
We hope you’re looking forward to joining us for a memorable family adventure, discovering more about the wonderful wildlife and natural world at Heligan.
If you have any questions before your visit, please get in touch.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Heligan's new Home Ed Rangers sessions are here
Due to popular demand, we are delighted to announce the launch of our fortnightly Heligan home ed sessions for home-educating families!
We recognise that education is changing with councils recording 126,000 electively home-educated children in the Autumn of 2025.
We are excited to be able to support home educating families and to bring the beauty of the natural world to life through hands on, experiential learning.
Get ready to explore, discover, play and learn outdoors with a wonderful group of like-minded families.
Our sessions will bring learning to life through:
Wildlife surveying
Nature identification
Nature connection and wellbeing
Outdoor games & activities
Survival Skills
Meeting other home-ed families
And plenty of opportunities for curiosity, discovery and FUN!
Starting Thursday, October 1
10am to 12pm
Ages 5 to 12 years
£10 per session when booking a block.
Each child attending must be accompanied by an adult with a valid Heligan Locals Pass. If you do not already have a pass, you will need to purchase one before attending.
The Heligan Locals Pass provides free entry to the gardens throughout the term and for the rest of the year, so you can also enjoy the gardens outside of the sessions.
A maximum of two adults per family can accompany their child at each session.
10% sibling discount for the second child (please email [email protected] for this discount code)
Book your home ed sessions today!
Block booking 1
October 1
October 15
November 5
November 19
December 3
Come and spend time outdoors, make new friends, get stuck into nature and give your children the chance to learn through hands-on exploration and adventure.
Places are limited to just 15 children per group — don’t miss out!
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Children remain the responsibility of their parents/carers throughout the session.
Children’s University Accredited
For curious 6 to 11 year olds who thrive in the great outdoors.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays 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.
Little explorers. Big adventures.
Mini Rangers is our nature-led outdoor group for children aged 2 to 4, giving them the chance to explore Heligan’s gardens, woodland and wildlife through play, movement and hands-on discovery.
Each session follows what’s happening around us. We might search beneath leaves for minibeasts, follow a woodland trail, collect natural treasures, splash in the mud, listen for birds or stop to explore something we’ve spotted along the way.
Tuesday mornings 10am – 11am
£7 per session, book a block of 5 sessions.
Toddlers must be accompanied by a parent/carer. Parents are responsible for their children at all times.
For children aged 2 to 4 years old.