Our Living Classroom is an off-grid woodland building which we run & manage on behalf of our members. The building, which was opened by HRH Princess Anne in 2007, is set within approximately 30 acres of mixed, ancient broadleaved woodland known as Bonsley Wood which we lease from Forestry England.

The Living Classroom is a base from which we can work with schools and local communities to develop environmental projects and it is an ideal educational training facility. The classroom is equipped with toilets, water and mains power. We also harvest rain water and produce much of our own electricity through solar generation – a truly ‘living’ and sustainable building.

The Living Classroom is available for hire for half or full day events with a woodland or conservation theme. If you would like to book the Living Classroom for an event or course, please contact Dorset Coppice Group at classroom@dorsetcoppicegroup.co.uk 

Hillcombe Coppice (of which Bonsley Wood is a part) is itself part of Blandford Forest. It is with Forestry England’s blessing that we have use of Bonsley Wood for educational purposes, as well as to manage part of it as a traditional, rotational coppiced hazel woodland – giving members the opportunity to develop their skills in coppicing and coppice crafts. We run Work Parties on the second Saturday of every month where, during the coppice season, you can help us manage this beautiful woodland. When the weather warms up during the summer months, we are busy with maintenance and other tasks – but there is always plenty to get stuck into. Join Us here to get involved!

Please click here for directions to The Living Classroom. It is important to note that there is no vehicle access to the Living Classroom outside of specified dates such as organised courses, work parties, events, etc.