Visa is currently having card processing issues. Sorry, We maybe unable to take payment at this time. Please check back soon!

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?

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

    FAQ's

    Yes! You may use your voucher on the activity that it is valid for.  Don't forget to enter both the Security Code and the Voucher Code.


    Alternatively, all vouchers can be used for the value paid for them against any of our activities.

    We will need a completed copy of our medical declaration. Where possible please print it out and bring it with you. We will have copies available on site.

    Yes! We deliver a wide range of outdoor education and outdoor adventure sessions to schools and private groups. We'd love to work with you and help your group to achieve their goals.


    If you are enquiring for an educational or school group, please take a look at our dedicated webpage: https://www.mendip.co.uk/education


    If you are enquiring for an organised youth group, please click here: https://www.mendip.co.uk/youthgroups

    General FAQ's

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



    TobogganingAges 4-12 (For Exclusive Half Slope Group Session Age 4+ with no upper age limit)
    SkiingAge 5+, under 8's must book Minis Private Lessons
    Minis Private Lessons
    		Ages 5-8
    Try Skiing
    		Age 8+
    Private Ski Lesson
    SnowboardingAge 8+, height min 1.2m Shoe Size min adult size 2


    TARGETSPORTS
    ArcheryAge 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating)
    Axe Throwing
    Air Rifles
    Archery ActiveAge 6+ with under 8's supervised by participating Adult 18+
    Frisbee Golf
    		Any age, under Age 6 play for free


    LAND & ROCKSPORTS
    Abseiling (20m/65ft)Age 8+
    Abseiling (50m/150ft)Age 10+
    Bushcraft & Survival Skills
    		Age 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating)
    Caving & Try Caving
    Low Ropes
    Rock Climbing
    Climbing Tower
    		Age 6+ with under 8's supervised by participating Adult 18+
    Frisbee GolfAny age, under 6's play for free
    OrienteeringAge 6+, under Age 6 participate for free. Under 16's must be accompanied by Adult 18+ 


    WATERSPORTS
    Assault CourseAge 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating)
    Kayaking
    Paddle Boarding
    Raft Building
    Try Canoe


    Come rain or shine our outdoor activities generally go ahead whatever the weather. The only exception is lightning directly overhead which we monitor very closely and this rarely stops play for more than a few minutes.


    Before you come, we recommend you check the forecast, wear suitable clothing and bring cold or warm refreshments.


    Mendip Activity Centre has different activity sites.


    Our main site is located at Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, BS25 5PQ.  Click here for a google maps link. This is where Snowsports, Frisbee Golf, Tobogganing, Targetsports, Bushcraft and Try Caving take place.

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

    • Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddle Boarding, Assault Course and Raft building normally takes place at Hewish.
    • Climbing and Abseiling normally takes place at Sandford Quarry.
    • Caving (3-hour sessions) normally take place at Burrington Combe.


    Click here for a full list of our directions.

    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.

    Yes! 


    It's easy to book a private activity for your group online. Simply book an exclusive activity session for your group. Our most popular party activities are tobogganing, archery, air rifle, axe throwing, try caving, bushcraft and rock climbing- but you can choose from our wide-range of activities.


    If you'd like to add food, our popular party food packages are perfect for children ages 4- 12. These should be ordered in advance. You'll have a table reserved for 50 minutes in the Alpine Lounge and each child will receive half a 12-inch margarita pizza, a portion of skin-on fries and unlimited squash.


    Or, you can head up to the recently refurbished Alpine Lounge cafe and order directly from our menu- food includes Pizzas, Paninis and Fries - perfect for post-activity fuel! If you're choosing this option, there is no need to reserve a table.


    To find out more about our active and adventurous Stag & Hen Parties click here   


    Mendip Activity Centre is open year-round. 

    All our public outdoor activities can be viewed and booked in advance online. Limited availability is sometimes available on the day.



    		APRIL TO OCTOBER term time
    		NOVEMBER TO MARCH term time
    		WEEKENDS & SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
    MondayClosed10am-10pm9am-8pm
    TuesdayClosed2pm-10pm9am-8pm
    Wednesday2pm-8pm2pm-10pm
    		9am-8pm
    Thursday2pm-8pm
    		2pm-10pm
    		9am-8pm
    Friday2pm-8pm
    		10am-10pm9am-8pm
    Saturday9am-6pm9am-6pm
    		9am-6pm
    Sunday9am-6pm9am-6pm
    		9am-6pm


    The Alpine Lounge cafe is open every day from 9 am until close.



    We are also open year-round to private group bookings in the following areas:

    Outdoor Education  - activities that educate and inspire children outside the classroom

    Outdoor Instructor Training - gain real qualifications as an outdoor activity instructor

    Youth Groups - perfect adventures for Scouting, Guiding and Cadet organisations, Youth Groups and Sports Teams 

    Corporate  - activities helping teams and employees learn and develop together


     





    We believe everyone should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and undertake adventurous activities.


    If you think you'll need additional support visiting our facilities or participating in any of our activities contact our friendly team, especially prior to booking an activity. 


    Our main activity centre building is lift-accessible. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor next to the cafe. There are disabled parking spaces at this site. Archery and Air Rifle is wheel-chair accessible and the tobogganing slope as a wheel-chair accessible viewing ramp.


    Read more about accessibility in our range of activities and venues here: www.mendip.co.uk/accessibility

    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  



    Yes, our main activity centre site has an alpine-style cafe, The Alpine Lounge, which overlooks our ski and snowboard slope.


    The Alpine Lounge cafe is open every day from 9 am until close. Visit our website to view the menu and find out more.


    Other than our party food packages for ages 4 to 12, we do not accept bookings for the cafe, it is walk-in only. There is plenty of space so you will not struggle to find somewhere to sit.

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

    Unfortunately, they can't join you during any of our activity sessions other than frisbee golf and orienteering. If you are bringing a dog with you one of your party must stay with the dog and supervise it. 

    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 

    Yes! Our popular Team Activity Days do wonders for morale and motivation. helping teams and employees learn and develop together. This can contribute to the growth and success of teams, employees and businesses as a whole. We work closely with you to design a team activity day that fits your goals, desires and aims.


    For more information or to make an enquiry visit our TEAM ACTVITY DAYS 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.