A Natural Classroom: The Linhay at Butterhills is Ideal for Home-Educating Families

For families who home educate, learning doesn’t stop at the kitchen table. It happens outdoors, through curiosity, experience, conversation and connection. The Linhay at Butterhills offers exactly that: a peaceful, nature-rich setting where learning unfolds naturally and days are shaped by weather, seasons and children’s interests.

With no Wi-Fi and no mains electricity, life here gently slows down. Screens are replaced by muddy boots, notebooks by magnifying glasses, and timetables by the rhythm of the day. For families with children over five, it’s a chance to step away from structured routines and rediscover learning through doing.

Learning through nature at Butterhills

Butterhills is a place where children can roam, explore and get properly immersed in the natural world. The land itself becomes the classroom.

Den building in the woodland encourages teamwork, creativity and problem-solving. Children instinctively experiment with balance, structure and design, often without realising they’re applying early engineering skills. Measuring sticks, negotiating plans and adapting ideas as things collapse and get rebuilt are all part of the learning.

The stream meadow is a favourite spot for net dipping. Armed with nets and buckets, children can investigate freshwater habitats, discovering insects, larvae and tiny creatures up close. It’s a hands-on way to explore biology, ecosystems and food chains, while developing patience and observation skills.

Wildlife watching happens daily. From birdsong in the morning to bats at dusk, children begin to notice patterns, behaviours and seasonal changes. Keeping a simple nature journal or sketchbook can turn these moments into science, art and literacy all at once.

Campfires offer their own lessons. Learning how to safely build and tend a fire introduces practical skills, responsibility and respect for nature. Cooking over the fire, whether it’s simple snacks or a full meal, naturally weaves in maths, planning and cooperation.

When night falls, star gazing becomes a highlight. With minimal light pollution, the sky above Butterhills is often spectacular. Spotting constellations, talking about planets and wondering about the wider universe brings astronomy to life in a way no textbook quite can.

Space to think, read and reflect

The Linhay itself provides a calm, cosy space for quieter learning moments. Reading aloud by lantern light, writing stories inspired by the woods, playing board games or simply having long, unhurried conversations all support literacy, emotional development and critical thinking.

Without constant digital distractions, children often become more resourceful, imaginative and engaged. Many parents notice that learning feels less like “school” and more like a natural part of family life.

Extending learning beyond Butterhills

The surrounding area offers endless opportunities to enrich and extend learning.

The North Devon coast and its sandy beaches are perfect for geography and science in action. Rock pooling, studying tides, identifying shells and watching the changing sea conditions all deepen understanding of coastal environments. The golden sandy beaches of Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton provide the perfect spaces for burning off energy and physical exercise, from long walks and ball games to body boarding and learning to surf.

Exmoor National Park is close enough for easy day trips and opens up a whole new landscape to explore. Moorland walks, ancient clapper bridges, rivers, ponies and dramatic viewpoints provide rich material for history, geography and environmental studies. Learning about Exmoor’s wildlife, farming traditions and archaeology helps children connect local history with the land beneath their feet.

North Devon’s villages, markets and historic sites lend themselves to informal learning, from talking about rural life and local food to discovering old churches, mills and stories from the past. The unspoilt historic village of Clovelly is the perfect location to step back in time and experience what life would have been like in bygone years.

A place to reconnect

For home-educating families, a stay at the Linhay isn’t about ticking off lessons. It’s about reconnecting: with nature, with each other, and with the joy of learning driven by curiosity.

Butterhills offers space, freedom and gentle adventure. Children return home with muddy clothes, full notebooks, tired legs and bright ideas. Parents leave feeling refreshed, inspired and reminded that some of the most meaningful learning happens when you simply slow down and step outside.

If you’re looking for a break that nourishes both family life and education, the Linhay is a wonderfully grounding place to begin.