The Hive

The Hive We're a climate & environmental education centre in 7 acres of private grounds within Epping Forest.

๐ŸŽ‰A massive happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough๐ŸŽ‰The Hive, when it was known as Suntrap, received a handwritten...
08/05/2026

๐ŸŽ‰A massive happy 100th birthday to Sir David Attenborough๐ŸŽ‰

The Hive, when it was known as Suntrap, received a handwritten congratulations letter from Sir David wishing us a happy 50th anniversary.

'Congratulations to the staff of Suntrap and the London Borough of Waltham Forest on years of inspiring children with a love of nature and a respect for the natural world. Best wishes David Attenborough'

Attenborough once said 'No one will protect what they don't care about. And no one will care about what they have never experienced.' At The Hive, we are dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of the environment and its intricate connections with the climate. ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’š

Today we celebrated with pond dipping and caught a water scorpion! What are you doing to bring nature into your life today. ๐ŸŒฟ

https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/15448177.sir-david-attenborough-heaps-praise-on-inspiring-suntrap-forest-education-centre-for-its-golden-anniversary/

This sunshine has got us thinking ahead to summer. ๐ŸŒžOur popular Forest School Drop Off Days are now available to book vi...
04/05/2026

This sunshine has got us thinking ahead to summer. ๐ŸŒž

Our popular Forest School Drop Off Days are now available to book via eventbrite.

Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment. Forest Schools help children develop holistically, by providing opportunities for child led play, discovery, and supported risk taking through activities like tree climbing, fire lighting and tool use. ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿƒ

Join us for one or more days in the Forest, with discounts available to those looking to block book.

All information can be found in our bio via our website. ๐Ÿ”—

Foxes Forest School for Home-Educated and Flexi-Schooling families: We now accept all Primary ages so you can bring the ...
29/04/2026

Foxes Forest School for Home-Educated and Flexi-Schooling families: We now accept all Primary ages so you can bring the whole family for an afternoon of hands-on learning in our idyllic forest setting. Find out more on our Eventbrite page: https://Foxes_Forest_School_at_The_Hive.eventbrite.co.uk

09/04/2026

some guinea pig munching asmr for your thursday morning ๐Ÿฅฌ

We are going to be at Langthorne Park on Saturday 11th April supporting Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre's Easter...
19/03/2026

We are going to be at Langthorne Park on Saturday 11th April supporting Walthamstow Toy Library and Play Centre's Easter Trail. ๐Ÿค

As part of the exciting redevelopment of the park the Hive will be running Forest School sessions in a private wooded area for local families and schools. If you have any questions we would love to chat! ๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿ•๏ธ

We will be on site from 1-4PM supporting families to explore the nature in the park with lots of equipment to identify plants and animals. We hope to see you there! ๐ŸŒผ๐ŸŒฟ

Join us for our Bat and Moth experience at The Hive in Epping Forest! ๐Ÿฆ‡๐ŸŒณWeโ€™ll use bat detectors to listen for bats as we...
11/03/2026

Join us for our Bat and Moth experience at The Hive in Epping Forest! ๐Ÿฆ‡๐ŸŒณ

Weโ€™ll use bat detectors to listen for bats as we look for them hunting around us. Then discover nocturnal insects in our moth trap.

Childrenโ€™s tickets include themed crafts and all tickets include hot drink and biscuits. Suitable for ages 8+.

Date: THURSDAY 2 APRIL 2026
Time: 7 TO 9PM
Location: THE HIVE, EPPING FOREST, IG10 4AJ
Price: ยฃ15/child, ยฃ8/adult

Book now via Eventbrite using the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

Join us on one of our popular Storytime events in Epping Forest; based on the beloved classic The Three Billy Goats Gruf...
11/03/2026

Join us on one of our popular Storytime events in Epping Forest; based on the beloved classic The Three Billy Goats Gruff ๐Ÿ๐ŸŒณ

Themed crafts, story trail, and lots of fun building bridges across a real stream. Then finish with a campfire.

Suitable for ages 18 months to 5 years.

Date: MONDAY 30 MARCH 2026
Time: 10AM TO 12PM
Location: THE HIVE, EPPING FOREST, IG10 4AJ
Price: ยฃ12/child

Book now via Eventbrite using the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

There is a major gap in nature connection at secondary level (WWF, 2024), and impacts of the climate crisis, coupled wit...
18/02/2026

There is a major gap in nature connection at secondary level (WWF, 2024), and impacts of the climate crisis, coupled with a lack of nature connection, are having a considerable impact on young peopleโ€™s mental health and wellbeing.

In response to this, we have developed a range of new and exciting outreach workshops for secondary schools that will enable students to feel more connected to their local environment and feel more inspired to protect it.

๐ŸŒŽ Climate confidence: From anxiety to action. A classroom-based workshop exploring eco anxiety, giving students the confidence and skills to communicate, reflect and act on the climate crisis, through discussions and creating art.

๐Ÿพ Urban biodiversity: Understanding and protecting the nature around us. A hybrid indoor/outdoor workshop in which students conduct a biodiversity assessment in their school grounds or local green space, through habitat mapping and BioBlitzing.

๐ŸŒˆ Q***r Ecology: How queerness exists in the natural world. Led by environmental education officer, Abi, who is trans non-binary. This can be delivered classroom-based, on-site, or off-site. Activities include talks, guided nature walks and collaging workshops.

Visit the 'Outreach' section of our website to find out more and email us to book!

image credit - Jenna Selby

Our site is looking beautiful in the morning sunshine this month โ˜€๏ธ We have had a great month of trips so far from GCSE ...
12/02/2026

Our site is looking beautiful in the morning sunshine this month โ˜€๏ธ

We have had a great month of trips so far from GCSE Geography, woodland habitats and even Bear Hunts for EYFS groups ๐Ÿป

Half term is fast approaching - are you joining any of our events? ๐ŸŒณ๐Ÿ’› Bookings are still open for some of our activities, so act fast so you donโ€™t miss out! ๐Ÿฆ

We still have spaces on our exciting session next week dissecting owl pellets! Hoo-Dunnit: Owl Pellet DissectionWednesda...
11/02/2026

We still have spaces on our exciting session next week dissecting owl pellets!

Hoo-Dunnit: Owl Pellet Dissection
Wednesday 18th February 2026, 10 - 12pm.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hoo-dunnit-owl-pellet-dissection-tickets-1980094544084?aff=oddtdtcreator

Owl pellets are the indigestible parts of an owl's food that is regurgitated from the owl's beak, such as bones, teeth, fur and feathers. Dissecting them can give us a unique insight into the feeding habits of our native owls and their fascinating food chains. You might even find a skull or two!

Learn more about owls, take part in some owl themed crafts, and explore our grounds for other brilliant birds that call Epping Forest their home.

Address

The Hive, Church Road, Essex
London
IG104AJ

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+442085080611

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