WEBSITE LINK: www.orchard-farm.org.uk

EMAIL ADDRESS:  orchardfarm@hertfordshirescouts.org.uk
 

CONTACT: 0208 236 0040

Introduction for school trips and educational accommodation

Orchard Farm, a centuries-old farmhouse in the Staffordshire Peak District, is as an ideal base from which to explore the nearby Derbyshire Dales. It will sleep up to 60 people and is situated half way between Ashbourne and Leek.

The Farm boasts easy trails for walking or, for something more adventurous, it is a short drive into the White Peaks or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, the challenges of the Dark Peaks are also within driving distance. 

For climbers the Roaches are about half-hour drive away; so if you have been brought up on climbing walls then this is the ideal place to try the real thing.

If you’d like to try your hand at water activities such as raft building, sailing or canoeing Carsington water is approximately 12 miles away and have qualified instructions at the centre.

The nearest towns of any size are Cheadle, about 8 miles away and Ashbourne and Leek, both about 9 miles away.  The facilities of Stoke on Trent (including pottery museum) are about 15 miles away.

why you are great for educational visits?

The area around the farm is rich in wildlife and history. The trails of Dovedale and The Manifold are within easy reach either by walking or by bicycle.

Further afield are the higher Dark Peaks with Kinder Scout introducing moorland terrain and there are also rock outcrops of the Roaches.

Chatsworth House is in easy driving distance, and the Alton Towers theme park is also only a short drive away.

Is there anything you offer specifically for educational visits?

There are no staff at the center so the activities for your programme can be geared to your needs and based upon the local facilities.

What size groups do they cater for?

The farm will sleep up to 60 in 5 bunk rooms.

Please give information regarding room sizes and room facilities?

Sleeping accommodation is in 5 bunk rooms, 4 with alpine bunks and one with single bunks suitable for disabled. All rooms have electric fan heaters. The disabled room has its own toilet and shower and is on the ground floor
The Old Dairy is a standalone unit which sleeps 6 in bunks with its own shower and kitchen.

Can you take photos, video or audio? Are there any copyright restrictions?

Visitors may take photographs but no publication of the building may be made without permission.

How do you arrange a risk assessment?

There is no procedure for providing pre arranged risk assessments although users may visit prior to their booking. Users must undertake their own fire drills.

What is the cost of the accommodation?

2012 prices:

The Farm.      

Summer :  £10.56 per head, per night, inc vat. (adults and children).

Winter - 1st November to 31st March: £11.64 per night, per head inc vat, (adults and children).

The Old Dairy per night for the whole building:

Summer:  £60        Winter:  £66

Camping per night - (adults and children) Summer & Winter : £6.10 per head inc vat.

Deposit: £50  (payable on booking).

Damage deposit:  £200

Minimum charge : Summer £130,  Winter :  £145.

Does your Accommodation have a booking contact?

No.

Do you have first aid on site?

All groups have to provide their own first aid equipment and support, there are no staff on site.

What facilities do they have for school trips and educational visits?

The centre offers adequate off-road parking.  
There is a fully fitted kitchen and a large dining area which can be used for games, meetings and presentations.

Two smaller rooms can be used for planning or games. There is a drying room and separate shower and toilet facilities.

There is a large field (The Pasture) at the rear of the farm which can be used for games or camping.

Are there disabled facilities?

There is one bedroom with ensuite which is suitable for disabled use – either adult or child. There are no emergency buttons but it can be accessed by wheel chair.

Is there anything else that you feel is important and want to include in your information?

Alton Towers is only 7 miles away for a ‘day out’.
There is a payphone on site and a large car park.

• Pre-school
• 5 – 7 years
• 8 – 10 years
• 11 – 13 years
• 14 – 16 years
• College
• University

• West Midlands

• Residential School Trips

• Farmhouses

• Citizenship
• Environmental Studies
• Geography
• PE