About / Contact us

Inspiring leadership… A Touch of the Wild was established in 2005 by Hannah Standen – a qualified Teacher and Forest School leader with vast experience in outdoor learning. A Touch of the Wild aims to inspire a life long love of nature using Forest School principles and offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural world through a variety of activities for kids and adults alike.
 A wealth of Forest School experience… The staff members who help Hannah run the various A Touch of the Wild activities are qualified Forest School Leaders (or equivalent) and each have a vast knowledge of the local flora and fauna that inhabit the forest, as well as Greenwood work, Bushcraft, wild food and environmental arts and crafts. Their knowledge and enthusiasm feeds into all our work with children, young people and adults.
We are always looking for volunteers with childcare experience as well as qualified Forest School staff. If you are interested in working with us send a CV and covering letter to info@atouchofthewild.co.uk.

Get in touch!

Email:  We are often out in the woods so the best way to contact us is by via the form below:






    Phone:***** WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO PHONE SIGNAL. PLEASE EMAIL US AND PLEASE CHECK YOUR JUNK FILES FOR A RESPONSE, THEY SOMETIMES GO THERE, BUT WE ALWAYS REPLY******

    Call the office on 07929 613284 but please note that we are often out in the woods so may not answer immediately.  If you’re running late for your event, or have an urgent query outside of office hours please call your event leader directly.

    Account Login: If you have booked an event, please log in to your account and read the important documents as they may contain the answer to your query. Trouble logging in to your account/can’t find your username or password? Our confirmation email with your username and password may have gone into your junk or trash folder – please check these and then get in touch if you are still having problems.

    Find Us

    Our secret camp is at Grammarcombe Woods, a beautiful woodland - easy to find, just off the A380, on the Ashcombe Estate Near Exeter. Our camp is just a short level walk from the parking area and offers plenty of free car parking too.

    Our address is Grammarcombe Woods, Ashcombe Estate, Ashcombe, Exeter, Devon. Directions can be found below and we are signposted from Ashcombe roundabout. WHAT3WORDS universe.thirsty.chuck

    *Please note that this is not our postal address, if you would like to send post to us, please contact info@atouchofthewild.co.uk for our office address.*

    From Exeter, follow the M5 west and stay on the road as it becomes the A38. At Telegraph Hill, take the left fork road A380 signed to Torquay. Follow the road for about 3 miles and take the left exit signed Teignmouth (B3192). At roundabout turn left signed Ashcombe, follow the road around the bend, in about 500 yards you will see A Touch of the Wild signs at the double gateway on your left. Your Forest School leader will meet you in the car park.

    From Newton Abbot/Torquay, on the A380 towards Exeter, take signs for Ashcombe, Chudleigh. Down slip road take signs for B3192. Go over bridge across dual carriageway. At roundabout go straight over, towards Ashcombe. Follow the road around the bend and in about 500 yards you will see A Touch of the Wild signs at the double gateway on your left. Your Forest School leader will meet you in the car park.

    Health & Safety

    A Touch of the Wild prides itself on the high quality and safety of all the services it offers. All sites used by A Touch of the Wild are fully risk assessed, as are all activities. A Touch of the Wild leaders are Outdoor First Aid qualified and always carry a First Aid kit. All staff are DBS checked, and qualified in managing groups and activities in the outdoors.

    Forest School Leaders

    Hannah (Owner)
    Owner of A Touch of the Wild and qualified teacher Hannah has been inspiring groups in the outdoors since 2005. As a Level 3 Forest School leader Hannah works with all groups from toddler groups to Team building events.

    Hannah Baker (Joint Kindergarten Manager)
    Hannah has nearly 20 years of experience teaching children, including nine years leading a nursery forest school. She loves being outdoors and takes pleasure in helping children explore and discover the wonders of the natural world. She also enjoys sharing songs with them and always seems to have one to suit the moment. You’ll meet Hannah, as manager at Kindergarten.

    Melinda Burge (Joint Kindergarten Manager)
    Originally from New Zealand, Melinda has been working in the outdoor education industry in Devon since 2007. She’s a Level 3 Forest school leader who loves getting crafty and singing ALL the songs with children when they aren’t chasing her round the woodland. You’ll meet Melinda at Kindergarten.

    Annie (Kindergarten Assistant)
    Annie is a qualified teacher, Forest School Leader and extremely experienced trainer. She has 15years experience in Education and is a mum of 3 of her own Wildlings too. Annie loves facilitating learning of all sorts for all ages in the woodland. Annie has been working alongside A Touch of The Wild in a variety of roles for almost 8 years now.

    Claire (Kindergarten Assistant)
    Claire has over thirteen years experience working within a primary school, the majority of her time spent within the nursery and working closely with SEN children. During this time weekly sessions were held in the schools forest. Claire has a passion for the outdoors and is enthusiastic about nurturing young minds to explore, discover, develop skills and thrive in a natural environment.

    Rachel (Kindergarten Assistant)
    I have worked in early years for 25 years now & absolutely love it - such a privilege to be able to nurture and guide children at the start of their journey to adulthood. I qualified as a forest school leader in 2019 & have since enjoyed various roles in outdoor settings including kindergarten, toddler groups & home education groups. I enjoy woodland walks and spending time sitting and watching the wildlife that I encounter.

    Clare (Freelance Instructor)
    Clare has worked in environmental education for over 8 years. As well as working with ATOTW she also works as a Forest School Leader with a local primary school. She is a qualified level 3 Forest School Leader with a background in environmental science and sustainability. She loves working with our Wild Tots, education groups, Woodland Adventure Club, birthday parties, and Woodland Explorer Club.

    Katy (Freelance Instructor)
    Katy worked as an outdoor instructor for 10 years before training as a teacher. Now a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader she combines working at ATOTW with her job as Advisory Teacher of the Deaf. You’ll meet Katy at our Wild Tots sessions.