Designing Your Dream Space – Choosing the Right Outdoor Classroom or Shelter
Discover how to transform your outdoor space with the right outdoor classroom, shelter or bespoke structure. This guide explores durable, functional designs for schools, forest schools, holiday parks and commercial settings highlighting key features, benefits and custom options to help you choose the perfect outdoor structure for learning, play or relaxation.
When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, whether for a forest school, a school playground, a holiday park, or a commercial area, choosing the right outdoor structure can be a challenge. Outdoor classrooms, firepit shelters, and other bespoke outdoor structures each offer unique benefits and features that can transform the way you use your outdoor area. But how do you decide which one is right for your setting?
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of outdoor structures we offer, to help you find the perfect fit for your needs:
If you run a forest school or regularly host fire sessions, then a firepit shelter is the ideal solution for your outdoor space. These shelters are specially designed with a secondary roof to allow smoke ventilation, making them safe and functional for having outdoor fires. Large enough to comfortably accommodate around 30 children, they offer a great space for both learning and recreation. Our firepit shelters come with a range of optional extras, such as log seating around the firepit, perimeter seating for additional, space canvas sides for added weather protection, personalised signage to enhance the space’s identity and firepit stones to add a rustic touch. However, we recommend avoiding a timber base with this type of shelter as it can wear down quickly due to the heat.
Our outdoor classrooms are fully customisable to suit your needs. They can be designed with chalkboards for hands-on learning, smart TVs with full electrical setups provided by our qualified team at Precision Commercial Interiors, seating and side options for additional comfort and protection from the elements, decking bases, ramps, canvas windows and doors, and personalised signage to further personalise your space. These classrooms come in different configurations, from simple canopies to fully enclosed structures with seating and decking, making them adaptable to your teaching environment. The ability to add full electrics means you can run technology outdoors, which is perfect for interactive lessons, multimedia presentations and even climate-controlled activities. You can choose from canopy only, sides and seating and sides, seating and a decking base and octagonal or rectangular.
At Precision Playgrounds & Attractions, we specialise in creating bespoke outdoor structures designed to perfectly suit your site’s size and requirements. Whether you’re looking for a unique playground structure, an outdoor teaching space, or a shelter that fits your business needs, we work with you to bring your vision to life. Our expert team will help guide you in choosing the right materials, layout, and features to ensure your outdoor structure is both functional and visually appealing. Investing in an outdoor classroom offers a wealth of benefits, including:
Breaking the constraints of four walls revitalises focus and motivation. Fresh air and natural light are proven to reduce "nature deficit" and improve information retention.
Engineered for the British climate, our shelters provide high-utilisation space regardless of the weather. Options for UV-protected roofing and canvas sides ensure comfort in every season.
Through Precision Commercial Interiors, our classrooms can be fully electrified. This allows for Smart TVs and digital tech, bridging the gap between nature and the modern curriculum.
Sustainably sourced timber creates a warm, tactile atmosphere that artificial materials cannot match. This is particularly effective for supporting SEND pupils and reducing sensory anxiety.
Bespoke structures offer a rapid way to increase "under-roof" space without the cost of traditional extensions. They add immediate aesthetic and functional value to any school or attraction.
Layouts like our Octagonal Classrooms naturally encourage peer-to-peer discussion. This circular seating fosters a sense of community, improving communication and collaborative learning.
If you’re looking for a more colourful and UV-protected shelter, consider our polycarbonate roof shelters. These structures are ideal for creating a protected space while adding a vibrant pop of colour to your outdoor area. The polycarbonate roof offers UV protection, keeping the space cool and comfortable during sunny days. With the option for sides and seating, these shelters can be used for a variety of purposes, from relaxing outdoor seating areas to mini classrooms or activity spaces.
Choosing the right structure for your outdoor area can be a big decision, but you don’t have to go through it alone. At Precision, we are committed to helping you design and install the ideal outdoor classroom, playground structure, or shelter for your site. Our friendly team is always on hand to assist with any questions you have, from initial design concepts to the final installation. We combine expert design with high-quality craftsmanship to create outdoor classrooms, firepit shelters and bespoke structures that are built around your needs. Let’s bring your outdoor vision to life.
Whether you’re enhancing a school’s playground, upgrading your holiday park facilities, or creating a commercial outdoor space, we have the experience and expertise to make it happen. Contact us today to get started on your next outdoor project!
