Is this course suitable for complete beginners?

Yes, absolutely. The session is designed specifically for those with little or no previous experience in navigation. The skills are introduced in a simple and practical way, with no pressure and plenty of support throughout. You won’t need to memorise anything – it’s all about learning by doing.

What should I wear and bring with me?

Please dress for the weather on the day, as the course takes place entirely outdoors. You’ll need suitable outdoor clothing, a waterproof jacket (if rain is forecast), and footwear with good grip (walking boots or sturdy trainers). Bring a small backpack with water, snacks if needed, and a sun hat/sunscreen in warm weather. All maps and compasses are provided.

Do I need to be physically fit?

Only a basic level of walking fitness is required. The session takes place at a relaxed pace and there are regular stops for learning. You’ll be walking on grassy paths and open terrain for most of the course, but it’s not strenuous or fast-moving.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The course will go ahead in all weather conditions unless there is a safety concern such as severe storms or lightning. Learning to navigate in different types of weather is part of the experience. Please bring appropriate clothing, including waterproofs and warm layers if rain or cooler temperatures are forecast.

What age group is the course suitable for?

The course is open to all ages, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. It’s a great session for families or parent-teen pairs who want to learn together.

Where exactly do we meet, and is parking available?

The meeting point is outside Roehampton Gate Café in Richmond Park. The café is located near the Roehampton Gate entrance, which is accessible by car and public transport.Parking is available within the park near the gate, but spaces can fill up, especially on weekends, so allow extra time to arrive.

Navigation for Beginners in Richmond Park

By Andy

Navigation for Beginners in Richmond Park, photo 3

Navigation for Beginners in Richmond Park, photo 4

£ 60

5.02 reviews

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Activity Highlights:

Get to grips with the basics of navigation right in the heart of London. This 2-hour session in Richmond Park is designed for those with little or no experience and offers an ideal introduction to using a map and compass. With expert instruction in a relaxed setting, you’ll gain the skills needed to navigate confidently on your own adventures.

Key Details

Location: Richmond Park, London (meeting point: Roehampton Gate Café)
Duration: 2 hours
Group size: Maximum 6 participants
Age: Open to all, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Key Skills

Understanding key map features and symbols
Using grid references to pinpoint locations
Interpreting contour lines and planning safe routes
Taking and following compass bearings
Improving decision-making and route selection in outdoor settings

What to Expect

The session begins outside the Roehampton Gate Café, where you’ll meet your instructor and the rest of the group. After a short briefing, you'll head out on foot into Richmond Park to begin practising your new skills in a real-world setting. Instruction is tailored to the group and can cover topics such as understanding basic map features, reading contours, using grid references, and taking simple compass bearings.

Throughout the two hours, you'll work on interpreting your surroundings using the map, building confidence in how to plan and follow a short route. You'll get plenty of opportunities to ask questions and try things out for yourself, with support from your instructor at each step. The session runs in all weathers, so you’ll also get practical experience of dealing with the UK’s unpredictable conditions.

Location

Richmond Park is one of London’s largest and most historic Royal Parks, covering over 2,500 acres. It's a peaceful location to learn in, away from traffic, but still easily accessible by public transport or car.

Roehampton Gate Café provides a convenient meeting and finishing point, with facilities available before or after the session.

Prerequisites

This course is open to complete beginners, with no prior experience required. A basic level of walking fitness is recommended as you’ll be on your feet for most of the session, but the pace is relaxed.

Children under 16 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the weather and bring a small daypack with essentials.

Why Choose Us

The centre is led by a highly experienced Mountain Leader who has spent over three decades teaching outdoor skills in environments ranging from the UK to Mongolia and the Amazon. The approach is practical, friendly, and supportive, helping people build confidence and learn skills that can be applied on real adventures.

Courses are kept small to ensure individual attention, and everything is delivered with a focus on enjoyment, safety, and real-world usefulness.

Protecting The Playground

We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.

Book With Confidence

All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.

Key Details

Location: Richmond Park, London (meeting point: Roehampton Gate Café)
Duration: 2 hours
Group size: Maximum 6 participants
Age: Open to all, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Key Skills

Understanding key map features and symbols
Using grid references to pinpoint locations
Interpreting contour lines and planning safe routes
Taking and following compass bearings
Improving decision-making and route selection in outdoor settings

What to Expect

Location

Roehampton Gate Café provides a convenient meeting and finishing point, with facilities available before or after the session.

Prerequisites

Children under 16 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the weather and bring a small daypack with essentials.

Why Choose Us

Courses are kept small to ensure individual attention, and everything is delivered with a focus on enjoyment, safety, and real-world usefulness.

Reviews

Anna

We had a fantastic time! Andy is such a good teacher and so helpful. Highly recommend this course :)

ActivityNavigation for Beginners in Richmond Park

Bernie

What a great course! Andy was very knowledgeable and explained everything in an easy-to-understand format. He supplies the maps and compasses for participants and has chosen a beautiful location and route for the course. Overall it was a fun day and Andy was incredibly patient! 😄 I could not recommend…