After Dark
A night-time adventure for children
When the sun goes down, the exploring begins…
Pull on your wellies, switch on your torch and join us for a guided night-time adventure at High Lodge Farm. With the woods wrapped in darkness, we’ll discover a world that’s easy to miss by day: mysterious animal sounds, clues left by wildlife and the wonders of the sky above.
Our 90-minute early-evening experience invites school-age children, accompanied by an adult, to become night explorers around High Lodge Farm, stopping at various spots along the way to look, listen and investigate. Search for animal tracks, listen for the owls, try simple hands-on science and see what you can discover with UV light. Find out how wildlife survives the winter and, when the clouds allow, turn your gaze upwards to explore the night sky and the North Star.
Finally, as the evening draws to a close, gather around the campfire for hot chocolate and marshmallows… a cosy finish to an evening of fresh air and discovery.
Join us on selected evenings this winter, 2026–2027.
The need-to-knows…
Age groups
We are running two separate, age-appropriate guided adventures for children aged 4–7 and 8–11. Please select the most appropriate age group when booking. Numbers are deliberately limited to keep each experience small, interactive and special.
Each child’s ticket includes one accompanying adult, with additional adult and child tickets available to purchase separately. All children must be accompanied throughout by a responsible adult aged 18 or over. One adult cannot supervise children in both groups.
If your children fall into different age groups, you’re welcome to bring an adult for each group or choose one group for both children to join. Please bear in mind that activities will be tailored to the advertised age range of your chosen group.
For safety reasons, children must remain with their accompanying adult at all times and cannot be left in the sole care of our guides.
Timings
Please arrive at 5:30pm for registration, ready for your adventure to begin promptly at 5:45pm. The guided session finishes at 7:15pm, followed by hot chocolate and marshmallow toasting around the campfire until 7:30pm.
Activities will be led by an experienced teacher, tailored to each age group.
Location
High Lodge After Dark takes place at High Lodge Farm, OX14 3DX. Please use our Thame Lane entrance and follow the signs to the designated parking area.
For sat nav, use OX14 3DX and turn onto the farm track opposite Europa School, rather than using our usual events entrance off the A415. Follow the signs into the yard and park next to the large new barn.
What to wear and bring
Please wrap up warmly for your evening adventure. High Lodge can get chilly and windy after dark! We’ll be outdoors throughout, and we will lie down briefly to look at the sky, so please dress for the weather.
Wear wellies or sturdy, waterproof walking boots with a good grip and thick socks. Trainers will get damp quickly.
Bring a warm, windproof and waterproof coat, waterproof trousers, hat, gloves and lots of cosy layers underneath. We'll lie down for a short period to stargaze.
No equipment is needed, as children’s head torches and other equipment are provided. Accompanying adults should bring a torch.
Refunds and cancellations
High Lodge After Dark will go ahead in most weather conditions, including rain and cold temperatures.
Tickets are non-refundable unless we cancel the event due to unsafe weather conditions, in which case we will issue a full refund. The tickets are not transferable to another event.
We’ll provide children with head torches, hi-vis vests and all equipment — just bring warm layers, waterproofs, wellies and a sense of adventure!
Scroll down for more FAQs.
FAQs
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High Lodge After Dark is an early evening guided, 90-minute woodland adventure exploring the natural world at night. Children will discover nocturnal wildlife, explore with UV torches, try a thermal camera and look up at the night sky, before finishing with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
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We will run sessions for two different age groups, ages 4–7 and a separate session for ages 8–11. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the adventure.
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Our After Dark guides are experienced primary-school teachers who have been trained to deliver our bespoke programme. They bring plenty of experience in engaging young children, encouraging curiosity and making learning fun, with activities tailored to each age group.
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Ticket holders should arrive at 5:30pm for a prompt 5:45pm start.
The session will finish around 7:15pm and you’re welcome to stay until 7:30pm to enjoy your hot chocolate and marshmallow.
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Tickets are extremely limited for each session. They are on sale at our ticket booking page. Each child ticket includes one adult. Any additional adults are paid for separately.
https://tickets.highlodgefarm.com/tickets
All tickets must be purchased in advance. We do not allow walk-ins.
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High Lodge After Dark takes place in our woodland at High Lodge Farm, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Please use our Thame Lane entrance, postcode OX14 3DX, and park by the big new barn. Parking is free.
From there, follow the signs over the small wooden bridge and along the track to the meeting point — approximately a three-minute walk. The route will be signposted and lit and our staff will be on-hand to assist you.
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Wrap up warmly in plenty of layers, including hats and gloves. Wellies and waterproofs are strongly recommended if it’s been wet, as the woodland can be muddy and damp.
Each child will be provided with a hi-vis jacket and head torch, and all activity equipment is included. Adults are welcome to bring their own torch, but it’s not essential.
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High Lodge After Dark will go ahead in most weather, including rain, so please dress warmly and bring waterproofs.
If significant high winds or weather warnings mean we cannot safely run the session, we will cancel and notify all ticket holders by email. Everyone will receive a full refund if we cancel. Please check your emails, including your junk before travelling.
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All tickets are non-refundable unless we’re forced to cancel the event.
This is an outdoor event and it will go ahead even if it’s raining and windy. Please bear this in mind when booking.
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No, due to the limited nature of this event, we will not be allowing ticket transfers unless in exceptional circumstances and subject to availability.
We cannot transfer tickets to another High Lodge event.
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Don’t worry, our staff will be on hand to help you join your session once you’ve arrived.
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There is one unisex compost toilet on site. Please bear in mind facilities are minimal for this event.
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Our refreshment trailer The Toot will be open selling hot drinks and a small selection of cakes and snacks. All children receive a child’s hot chocolate with a marshmallow as part of the experience. Adult drinks are paid for separately.
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Dogs are not allowed, only assistance dogs.
