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Bushcraft and Survival Skills

A 1.5 hour Bushcraft and Survival Skills activity session

What is Bushcraft and Survival skills?

Put simply Bushcraft is about using nature to sustain yourself in the wild and some of the essential kills include creating a fire, building a shelter, foraging for food and collecting water. Survival skills and techniques are about keeping yourself alive in unexpected situations.

How does it work?

To make the most of our amazing and diverse woodland, the changes in weather, ecology and number of daylight hours, we offer Seasonal Sessions adapted towards Spring, Sumer, Autumn and Winter. Build your knowledge and skills throughout the year by completing all of them!

SPRING(Easter Holidays to end of May half term)
Foraging Food - how long could you survive without food? Learn about hunters and gatherers, explore our woodland to discover what you can find. End the session cooking a snack over an open fire.

SUMMER(June to end of summer holidays)
Water Purification - How long could you survive without water? Explore water collection and create your own water filter to test out over an open fire.

AUTUMN(September to end of November)
Shelter Making - What do we need to survive? Can you make a shelter that protects you from the rain? How about an earthquake? End the session by warming up around an open fire.

WINTER(December to start of Easter Holidays)
Fire Lighting and Knife Skills - Use ferrous rods and strikers to create a spark...can you turn that spark into a fire? How long can you keep it burning for?



Where does it take place?

Bushcraft and Survival Skills sessions are held at Mendip Activity Centre, our beautiful 250-acre woodland estate set in one of Southwest England's most special places - The Mendip Hills National Landscape. We are close to Bristol and Weston Super Mare, the M5 motorway and with local rail and bus connections nearby.

Who can take part?

Our sessions can be booked in the following way:
  • Individual spaces (Age 8+)
  • Exclusive Private Group - up to 12 people (Ages 6+). If you book this option we can relax the child age restriction to 6+ so long as 1 adult (18+) is participating.

    • Gift vouchers

    Give the gift of adventure

    General FAQ's

    Outdoor Activities can be booked as Individual Spaces or as Exclusive Groups, with some age limits. 


    SNOWSPORTS

    -Tobogganing: Ages 4-12. If booked as an exclusive Half Slope Group Session, ages 4+ with no upper age limit.
    -Skiing Lessons: Ages 8+
    -Snowboarding Lessons: Ages 8+ height minimum 1.2m Shoe Size min adult size 2
    -Minis Private Ski Lessons: Ages 5-8.
    -Recreational Skiing/Snowboarding: Ages 5+ and must be recreational standard.


    TARGT SPORTS

    -Archery, Axe Throwing, Air Rifle: Age 8+. If booked as an exclusive group session ages 6+. At least one adult must be participating.
    -ArcheryActive, Nerf Battles: Age 6+. If under 8s are taking part, at least one adult must be participating.
    -Frisbee Golf: Any age. Under 6s play free. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

    LAND ACTIVITIES


    -Orienteering: Any age. Under 6s free. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
    -Bushcraft & Survival Skills:  Age 8+. If booked as an exclusive group session ages 6+. If under 8s are taking part, at least one adult must be participating. 


    ROCK SPORTS

    -Rock Climbing, Climbing Tower, Caving, Try Caving, Abseiling (20m/65ft): Age 8+. If booked as an exclusive group session ages 6+. If under 8s are taking part, at least one adult must be participating.

    -Abseiling (50m/150ft): Ages 10+


    WATER SPORTS


    -Assault Course, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, Raft Building Canoeing: Age 8+. If booked as an exclusive group session ages 6+. If under 8s are taking part, at least one adult must be participating. 



    When booking, the website will display where your activity takes place. Your booking confirmation email will also show this. 


    Many activities take place at the main Mendip Activity Centre including:

    Snowsports, Tobogganing, Frisbee Golf,  Archery, Air Rifle, Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, Orienteering and Try Caving.


    There are also a number of off-site activity locations including: 


    Hewish Activity Site: Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddle Boarding, Raft Building and Assault Course 

    Sandford Quarry: Climbing and Abseiling 

    Burrington Combe: Caving (3-hour sessions)


    Click here for directions to all our Activity Sites.

    Yes! we have plenty of free onsite parking at all our activity sites.


    We strongly encourage car sharing and sustainable forms of travel. Read more here.

    Tobogganing

    Tobogganing is a very popular activity and, especially during peak times, we have very little flexibility in being able to push your start time back. Where possible, we will get you onto the toboggan slope as soon as possible once you arrive. We will try to be as accommodating as possible and if there is availability later in the day, we will move your session to a later start time however please be aware that this is not always possible. 


    Frisbee golf or recreational snowsports

    We are likely to be able to change your start time at arrival as long as it is within our opening hours and on the same day.


    Private session
    We will start whenever you arrive but we are unlikely to be able to overrun.


    Individual spaces on a session

    We will do our best to fit you into the session at a point that does not disrupt it too much for other participants. If you are more than 10 minutes late, we're sorry but it is very unlikely we will be able to fit you into the session due to missing the safety and equipment briefing and kit up.


    If you cannot make your session, or to request an amendment: 

    Please contact our friendly team by email or online chat for help.




    To cancel, rearrange or amend your booking please let us know by emailing hello@mendip.co.uk as soon as possible. 


    To view our Terms & Conditions click here  



    Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you onsite including in our Café, the Alpine Lounge.

    Dogs may join you on Frisbee Golf and Orienteering Activities only. For all other activities ensure you make arrangements for its care during your activity session.

    Yes! Mendip Activity Centre has a proud history of providing outdoor education and adventure opportunities to schools.

    Our year-round school residentials provide young people with unrivalled opportunities and educational experiences gained through adventure. We work closely with schools to design a residential visit that fits the groups goals, desires and aims.


    For more information or to make an enquiry, visit our SCHOOL RESIDENTIALS website 

    After you book an activity online we immediately email you a Booking Confirmation. If you are unable to locate this in your inbox, first check your spam/junk email folders. If you still cannot locate, it's possible your online booking may not have been fully completed. 


    Check whether the session you were trying to book is still available online. If it is, try to make the booking again. If it's not, please contact our friendly team by email or online chat for help.



    Can't find the answer to your question?.. our friendly team will be happy to help! 


    The quickest way to get in touch is Email or use our Live Chat


    If you would rather, call us on 01934 834877 and follow the instruction to leave us a voicemail.


    Yes! Mendip Activity Centre has a proud history of working with youth groups including Scouts, Guides, Cadets and Sports Teams. We can deliver outdoor education and adventurous activities during the evening, at the weekend or as part of a camp. If your group are looking to achieve a new badge, this is something we can help with.
    For more information or to enquire, visit our YOUTH GROUPS website.