Hudnall Park

Hudnall Park is Services for Young People's outdoor activity centre set in 85 acres of beautiful parkland, private woodland and meadows, five miles from Hemel Hempstead in the west of Hertfordshire.

We offer tailor-made programmes of activities designed to develop young people’s social, emotional and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment.

During the Easter 2026 school holidays we are offering adventurous outdoor activities to young people aged 13-19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Young people are eligible until the summer holiday of the year they turn 19 (if in full time education). The activities are funded by Hertfordshire County Council Short Breaks but there is a small fee of £7 for each activity which is non-refundable. If you are not registered for Short Breaks, please register here before booking.

All sessions are for a maximum of 12 people. You can book as many activities as you wish. Young people taking part in both morning and afternoon activities on the same day are welcome to stay for lunch – please provide them with a packed lunch.

Build and ride a kit go-kart

Tuesday 31st March, 10am-12pm

Build a go-kart and ride it down a slope!

Control your go kart with lever breaks and steer it with your feet to reach the bottom safely.

This activity involves an approximately 800 metre walk over rough and undulating terrain to reach the activity site. Helmets must be worn. Please be aware that the go-karts are liable to tip over and participants may fall out. Participants will be expected to be able to pull the go-kart back up the slope.

Nature discovery

Tuesday 31st March, 1-3pm

Discover and explore nature in the beautiful woodlands of Hudnall Park!

An inspiring and fun session looking at the different habitats and wildlife in the pond, orchard, woodland and grasslands. Activities may include:

Pond dipping
Bug hunting
Nature spy walks
Scavenger hunts
Nature-based games

Low ropes adventure

Wednesday 1st April, 10am-12pm

Enjoy balancing and climbing on our low ropes course!

Have fun working as a team to complete the course, supporting each other with balance, building trust and developing problem-solving skills.

This activity involves an approximately half mile walk over rough and undulating terrain to reach the activity site. Participants need cognitive ability to understand risk. Helmets must be worn.

Woodland explorers

Wednesday 1st April, 1-3pm

Discover, explore and connect to nature in the beautiful woodlands of Hudnall Park!

An inspiring and fun session looking at the different habitats and wildlife within the woodland, nature-based arts and crafts and games.

Activities may include:

Natural arts and crafts
Sensory games and problem-solving challenges
S’mores and hot chocolate around the campfire

This activity involves an approximately 800 metre walk over rough and undulating terrain to reach the activity site. Participants will be asked to follow safety instructions and will require the cognitive ability to understand risk.

Archery

Thursday 2nd April, 10am-12pm and
Thursday 9th April, 10am-12pm

Learn archery techniques and compete in fun games!

Using our outdoor archery range you will be coached in the technique of shooting arrows safely using a recurve or shoot-though bow. Throughout the session you will be helped to shoot with increasing accuracy. Games and competitions between small teams will be used to make the session fun and enjoyable.

Participants will need to be able to follow safety instructions.

Zip line adventure

Thursday 2nd April, 1-3pm

Enjoy the thrill of our high-level zip line!

You will be safely harnessed to the 30 feet high zip line. Just relax and enjoy the view!

This activity involves an approximately half mile walk over rough and undulating terrain to reach the activity site. Participants will need the core strength to maintain their body in an upright position and be able to walk up a slope to assist with retrieval following their descent.

Woodland games

Tuesday 7th April, 10am-12pm

Join us in the woodland for fun games!

Our engaging woodland games help develop confidence, social skills, resilience, problem solving and improved physical and mental health.

Games may include:

Capture the flag
Floor is lava
Chaos tag
Camouflage

Campfire cookout

Tuesday 7th April, 1-3pm

Join us in the woods to learn how to build and light a campfire!

Make your own snacks over the fire and share stories around the campfire!

We will make our own flatbreads, toasties and more!

If you would like to make something that suits you better, please let us know!

Beat the challenge course

Wednesday 8th April, 10am-12pm

Tackle fun physical challenges with your team!

We will engage you in a variety of fun exercises working through challenges including problem solving, climbing, balancing, jumping and crawling to the finish line. Young people will be fully supported to navigate the challenge course.

This activity involves an approximately 800 metre walk over rough and undulating terrain to reach the activity site. Participants need the cognitive ability to understand risk. Helmets must be worn.

Woodland survival skills

Wednesday 8th April, 1-3pm

Discover and explore how to survive in the beautiful woodlands of Hudnall Park!

An inspiring and fun session learning basic survival skills in the woodland.

Activities may include:

Working as a team to build a shelter or den in the woods
Learning how to make a fire safely using a flint and steel and build and light a campfire
Wood whittling
Knot tying
Using a compass to navigate the woodland
Animal tracks and signs

Easter scavenger hunt

Thursday 9th April, 1-3pm

Join us for an Easter themed scavenger hunt!

You will learn orienteering and navigation skills to hunt for clues to find the Easter treats!

This activity will involve lots of supervised walking and exploring across Hudnall Park, including woodland and grassland.

School holiday activities booking form

Contact the Hudnall Park Team

How to get to Hudnall Park

These activities are funded by Hertfordshire County Council Short Breaks, and families need to register for Short Breaks to attend. Short Breaks offer disabled children and young people the chance to spend time out with others socialising and doing fun activities, giving their families a break and providing them with the confidence their child is well supported by a trained worker.