Sounds Wild – Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent
Sounds Wild uses music, sound, and natural multisensory resources to help us connect with nature.
Sounds Wild is designed to be accessible for Learning Disabled children and young people with complex support needs and their families.
Read more about Sounds Wild on the NHS Forest website.
Upcoming Sessions
Dates
We’ve finished our summer 2026 sessions at Bedgebury Pinetum and National Forest.
More dates coming soon!
Times
the session or if you need to leave the session early, this
is fine, just let the Soundabout practitioners know.
Location and Travel
Address
Bedgebury Pinetum and National Forest, Lady Oak Lane, Goudhurst, TN17 2SJ.
Parking
There are two car parks on site. Please park in the main car park and not the walled garden car park. There are 16 blue badge spaces on site.
Please note Soundabout will be covering your parking costs. We will take your car registration on the day of the event and share with the site teams.
Public Transport
Take the 1066 bus from Tunbridge Wells towards Hawkhurst. The nearest bus stop is Flimwell, approximately a 30-minute walk. The closest train station is Etchingham (on the Hastings line from Charing Cross or London Bridge). It would then be a 15 minute taxi ride from Etchingham station to the venue.
Accessibility Information
Visitor Centre and Outdoor Accessibility
As this is an outdoor venue, the grounds can be bumpy and uneven at times. The site is wheelchair friendly in terms of pathways being wide enough and level. Bedgebury Pinetum has an accessibility webpage with detailed information: click here.
The Soundabout Team will direct you to the site where we will be making music. It will not be far from the Visitors centre. The paths to the site are pictured on the right. Please take care moving around the site. Though the paths are level, they may be bumpy at times.
Toilet Provision
There is a Changing Place facility on site, situated in the visitor centre. It has a manual door which is 100cm wide. A Radar Key is needed for access. You can borrow one from the information point if necessary.
Participant Wellbeing
Staff will take care to keep music and sound levels at a comfortable volume for all participants.
There is plenty of grounds to explore at Bedgebury Pinetum, if participants feel overwhelmed or upset, there will be plenty of space for a quiet moment.t.
If you have any concerns about the wellbeing or safety of anyone attending the sessions please contact Soundabout’s Community Support Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Rebecca on rebeccatunley@soundabout.org.uk or 0773 7051135.
Getting to know you
When you sign up to Soundabout sessions you’ll be invited to share anything you’d like us to know about you. This could be how you communicate, accessibility information, sensory needs, and anything else you want to share. We’ll then use this information to help plan sessions.
You can contact Soundabout’s Community Support Lead, Rebecca, at any time to share information or ask questions.
Group Sizes
There are 8 participant spaces per session available for booking.
These sessions are designed for Learning Disabled people with complex support needs of all ages. Siblings and other family members are also welcome.
Parents / Carers
Participants must be supported by a parent or carer at all times when attending the sessions.
Venue Photos
Car Park
Path to Visitors Centre
Toilets
Gazebo
What to wear and bring
Participants should have suitable clothing/skin protection for the weather. If hot and sunny weather hats, sunglasses, suncream; if it’s wet – rain protection (i.e. coats/all-in-one rainsuits/ponchos/umbrellas).
Sturdy footwear (for mobile participants) is also advised.
There is a cafe on site in the visitors centre however, please feel free to bring your own food and drinks. Please don’t share food and drink in between participants in case of allergies. Participants must be supported by a parent or carer if attending the event.
Booking Process
- Advance booking is essential. Please don’t turn up on the day without booking as there might not be space for you!
- We use a booking platform called ‘Enthuse’ for these sessions. You can book using the link below. If you have any issues using the booking system please contact us.
- Sessions are ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ with a suggested donation amount and always a £0 option.
Helpful names and faces
Two Soundabout Practitioners will facilitate the sessions.
Rebecca Tunley
Community Support & Safeguarding Lead
Any other information?
If you have any queries, concerns or need any support prior to the event or on the day, please contact:
Rebecca, Community Support and Safeguarding Lead: rebeccatunley@soundabout.org.uk or 0773 7051135