Name: Navigation for Beginners in Richmond Park
Price: 60 GBP
Availability: InStock

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.