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Outdoor Classrooms
Enquire NowAt Natural Playgrounds, we specialise in designing and installing bespoke timber outdoor classrooms that are tailored to the needs of your setting, your pupils, and your curriculum.
Outdoor learning has moved from being an occasional enrichment activity to a recognised part of the modern curriculum, valued for its ability to support wellbeing, engagement, and connection with nature.
Outdoor classrooms are purpose-built, open-air learning spaces designed to extend education beyond the walls of traditional school buildings.
Since spending time outdoors has been shown to improve concentration, behaviour, and mental health, many schools across are choosing to invest in permanent outdoor teaching environments.
Request a free site survey and quote for bespoke outdoor classrooms today.
What Is an Outdoor Classroom?
An outdoor classroom is a sheltered structure or open-air space specifically designed to support teaching and group learning in an outdoor environment.
Since weather, seating, and space requirements differ across schools and seasons, outdoor classrooms typically include a timber-framed roof, seating arrangements, blackboards or whiteboards, and optional sides for shelter.
These spaces can be used for everything from literacy lessons and science investigations to circle time, SEN interventions, and nature-based learning.
By creating a dedicated area outside, schools can take full advantage of their natural surroundings while providing structure, shade, and protection for year-round use.
What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Classrooms?
Timber outdoor classrooms offer a wide range of practical, educational, and wellbeing benefits for schools, nurseries, and community learning spaces.
They support a richer learning experience in an open, calming environment.
Expand usable teaching space without permanent building works
Encourage connection with nature, boosting focus and mood
Provide flexible zones for group work, storytelling, science, and SEN activities
Reduce indoor crowding and support healthier air circulation
Blend naturally into school grounds and green spaces
Support outdoor learning strategies across all key stages
Built from sustainable materials with low environmental impact
Long-lasting structures with minimal maintenance needs
How Much Do Outdoor Classrooms Cost?
Outdoor classrooms cost between £5,000 and £30,000.
The cost depends on the size, materials, and features included.
Small covered seating structures, such as open timber shelters or storytelling huts, generally start at £5,000 to £10,000, suitable for early years or Forest School use.
Medium-sized open-air classrooms with seating, roofing, chalkboards, and storage typically range from £12,000 to £20,000, ideal for full class groups.
Large outdoor classrooms with decking, enclosed sides, living roofs, or bespoke joinery can exceed £25,000 to £30,000, particularly in schools or nature centres that use them year-round.
Why Are Outdoor Classrooms Beneficial for Schools?
Outdoor classrooms are increasingly popular because they support a wide range of educational, behavioural, and wellbeing outcomes.
Since many pupils thrive in non-traditional environments, outdoor spaces offer an alternative to the classroom where children can move freely, engage with nature, and reset emotionally.
They also reduce noise levels, offer increased ventilation, and encourage active participation—especially helpful for kinaesthetic learners or children with additional needs.
As outdoor learning becomes more embedded in curriculum planning, these spaces provide a practical and attractive way for schools to deliver high-quality, inclusive education beyond the classroom walls.
What Are Outdoor Classrooms Made From?
Our timber outdoor classrooms are constructed from sustainably sourced wood, typically including treated softwoods or durable hardwoods like larch and robinia.
Since timber offers a natural aesthetic and excellent structural performance, it is ideal for long-lasting outdoor use, blending into school grounds, woodland areas, or play zones.
Roofs can be constructed from waterproof materials such as polycarbonate, felt, or cedar shingles, and we offer a range of optional features like benches, storage units, chalkboards, planters, and sensory panels.
All materials are selected for their weather resistance, safety, and environmental credentials, ensuring your classroom is both functional and sustainable.
What Size Outdoor Classrooms Are Available?
Outdoor classrooms can be built in a range of sizes, depending on the number of pupils, site layout, and intended use.
Typical classroom sizes accommodate groups of 15 to 30 children, with open-sided or fully enclosed options available depending on your preferences.
We also offer smaller timber shelters for breakout groups, intervention sessions, or one-to-one learning, ideal for SEN settings or early years providers.
Our team conducts a site survey before design to ensure the layout suits your daily operations, traffic flow, and safeguarding protocols.
Can Outdoor Classrooms Be Used Year-Round?
We design outdoor classrooms for year-round use, ensuring protection from sun, rain, and wind.
Since outdoor learning should not be limited by the seasons, we include durable roofing, drainage considerations, and optional windbreaks or partial cladding to improve comfort throughout the year.
With thoughtful positioning and optional upgrades—such as solar lighting or roll-down canvas panels—your outdoor classroom can be a functional part of your timetable every term.
Schools looking to maximise space and minimise indoor congestion often use these spaces during lunch clubs, wet play, and informal teaching periods.
Are Outdoor Classrooms Suitable for Early Years and SEN Settings?
Outdoor classrooms are particularly well-suited to Early Years and Special Educational Needs environments.
Since young children and neurodivergent learners often benefit from movement, sensory input, and lower-stimulation settings, outdoor classrooms offer a calm and flexible learning alternative.
We offer inclusive design features such as wide access points, sensory materials, low-level benches, and sheltered quiet corners to ensure the space is accessible and supportive.
For schools with outdoor-focused pedagogies—such as Forest Schools or Reggio Emilia-inspired settings—outdoor classrooms provide essential infrastructure for meaningful, child-led learning.
How Long Do Outdoor Classrooms Last?
Timber outdoor classrooms are built to last 15 to 25 years or more, depending on timber type, exposure levels, and ongoing maintenance.
Hardwoods like robinia offer superior natural resistance to rot and weathering, while pressure-treated softwoods perform well with minimal upkeep.
We use professional-grade fixings, weatherproof roofing, and moisture-resistant designs to ensure each structure remains safe, strong, and attractive over time.
Schools that carry out annual inspections and occasional cleaning or re-treatment can expect their outdoor classroom to provide long-term service and strong return on investment.
What Maintenance Is Required?
Outdoor classrooms require minimal maintenance, especially when constructed with high-quality, treated timber.
Regular upkeep includes checking for wear on benches or decking, clearing roof gutters or leaves, tightening any fixings, and inspecting structural joints for weather impact.
Surfaces may naturally weather over time to a silvery finish, but this does not affect strength or function.
We offer annual maintenance checks and servicing for schools and local authorities across , ensuring your classroom remains safe, clean, and ready for daily use.
Do Outdoor Classrooms Require Planning Permission?
Outdoor classrooms do not require full planning permission, particularly when they are freestanding, under a certain height, and located within the school’s boundary.
However, each local planning authority may have different regulations, especially in conservation areas or when permanent utility connections are involved.
We can advise on planning considerations during your site consultation and provide scaled drawings or specification documents to assist with approval processes if required.
Schools often find that our timber structures qualify as permitted development, allowing fast and efficient installation.
Bring Outdoor Learning to Life
At Natural Playgrounds, we believe learning should be dynamic, inclusive, and connected to the world outside the classroom.
Our bespoke outdoor classrooms are designed to create meaningful, durable spaces where pupils and teachers can thrive, whatever the weather, subject, or learning style.
From concept to completion, we provide expert design, sustainable materials, and professional installation tailored to your school’s needs.
Book a free consultation today and take the first step towards an inspiring outdoor classroom your learners will love.