Blencathra Outdoor Residential Centre Keswick Lake District Field Studies Council

Field Studies Council offers fieldwork and outdoor learning for groups of all ages at centres across the UK. Trips use adventure and outdoor learning to expand children’s experiences and teach curriculum focused work to inspire everyone about the environment.

Primary field trips enable you to pick and choose from a range of exciting adventure or curriculum sessions to build your own trip. A visit to our centre will immerse primary school children in the natural world, taking in its sights, sounds and smells.

For secondary and A level groups we offer geography, biology and environmental science courses. Courses can be tailored to your own requirements to ensure you get the most from your visit and trips utilise the local environment to fully engage students.

Blencathra Outdoor Residential Centre Keswick Lake District Field Studies Council
Field Studies Lake District
Residential school trips North West
STEM Lake District

Blencathra Outdoor Residential Field Study’s Centre is located in the Lake District National Park surrounded by an idyllic 360 panoramic view 300mtrs up a hillside. They can tailor make courses to suit your students’ key-stage educational needs.

Outdoor Learning courses are created to complement the curriculum, and engage pupils with subjects in fresh, hands-on ways.

Adventure learning encourages children to push beyond their comfort zones and discover what they’re capable of. With carefully tailored, age-appropriate challenges, every child is supported to grow their knowledge and learn in new and exciting ways.

• All our residential centres will provide you with:
• A qualified tutor to oversee your trip
• Pre-trip planning including itinerary, kit lists, and risk assessments
• Centres with up to 180 beds, offering flexible rooming options and all bedding included
• Healthy filling meals from dinner on your first day to a packed lunch on your last day
• We hold Learning Outside the Classroom’s Quality Badge so there is less paperwork for you

LOtC

AALA

The GA Secondary Geography Quality Mark

SGQM Centre of Excellence

DofE Approved Activity Provider

John Muir Award

Geography:

We offer a range of sessions and courses covering human and environmental geography through fieldwork. Most sessions have short classroom sessions before and after. Teaching is delivered by fully trained and experienced tutors.

We can deliver geography courses from KS2 to A level.

KS2 pupils can use maps, stories and games to explore the woods. Discover the plants and animals that live here and design and build dens.

For KS4 and A level students we link all of our courses to the exam board requirements for each subject and can tailor the course to your specific needs.

Science:

We can offer a range of biology courses from KS2 to curriculum-based A level trips. Students undertake ecological investigations in a variety of inspiring habitats and complete relevant required practicals, from a range of a range of topics.

We also offer contextualised learning opportunities for KS3 science, where pupils explore a local environment, habitat or ecosystem, eg rocky shore, freshwater or woodland.

Students will look at a variety of plants and common animals using age-appropriate classification keys to identify living things we find in our woodland and in our pond habitats.

KS2 pupils can look at a range of habitats, learning about microhabitats and how they provide the basic needs for living things. Pupils can learn to identify the different structures of plants and name a variety of common animals. We will mini beast hunt and observe them in their microhabitats.

Primary:

We have a wide range of activities such as minibeast hunt, pond dipping, hiking, low ropes, eco-activity, rock climbing, bushcraft, orienteering.

Identify basic survival needs, explore the woods, build a shelter and forage for wild foods. Follow a woodland trail and search for tracks and signs. A day filled with team building and problem-solving activities.

We can cater for groups of various sizes. Courses have a minimum of 10 students and have a maximum capacity of 173

Our courses are created carefully to link to curriculum requirements. We can work with you to tailor content to fit in with work back in the classroom. Tailored resources will be supplied to use before and after your trip to prepare students and encourage follow-up work to be completed.

We provide a variety of resources to support outdoor learning, on the Field Studies Council.

A detailed risk assessment for activities and teaching sites is undertaken which forms the basis of a dynamic approach to assessment by trained staff whilst in the field.

Contact our team for latest prices and availability:

01743-852100

or enquiries@field-studies-council.org

We are always looking for ways to make trips affordable for all schools. We currently offer:

15% off for new residential customers

Late availability offer – 25% off school residential trips with an arrival date during the next three months

Off-peak pricing available 

– Different price bands are offered throughout the year to offer value for money. Many of our visiting groups take advantage of our off-peak prices between November and February. Talk to our team about the best options for your group.

Prices include: 

course planning; fully risk assessed teaching sites; accommodation; specialist tutors; teaching resources; fieldwork equipment; classrooms and food. The only thing you need to add-on is transport. We even provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres.

Please contact us regarding your needs, although we provide wellies & waterproofs at our residential centres. We provide a full kit list here

All field teachers are trained in first aid and group management.

Bar: We have a licensed bar stocked with local ales and spirits, wines, soft drinks and snacks. This is not available to self-catering groups unless special arrangements are made prior to the visit 

Capacity: Blencathra has 173 beds across four accommodation blocks. There is a variety of room sizes from single rooms to dormitories with up to six beds. 

Car Parking: The Centre is in an elevated position on the side of Blencathra with ample parking for 30 cars and two coaches. There is adequate space for cars and coaches to turn around and park. Not suitable for double decker buses

Catering: Self-catering is also considered upon specific request. 

Children’s Facilities: We have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome. 

Disabled Access: The location has disabled access. 

Disabled Facilities: There are two ground floor bedrooms in the main house offering en-suite wet-rooms and toilet facilities. 

Games Room: There is table football and table tennis. 

Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.

Kitchen: Fully catered services for most dietary needs are available, as well as packed lunch making services. Self catering may be available to groups hiring the whole centre.

Library: There is a library with table and chairs seating 10 people.

Linen: All bedding is provided. Please strip your beds on departure.

Lounge: There is a luxurious adult lounge overlooking the Northern Lake District Fells.

Outdoor Clothing: Blencathra has waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers, wellingtons, walking boots, a limited number of rucksacks, hats and gloves available.

Outdoor Facilities: Extensive range of on-site and off-site activities.

Shop: There is no shop, but toiletries are available from reception as well as a selection of Field Studies Council publications. There is a vending machine selling crisps and snacks. 

Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the centre. 

Workrooms: There are six meeting/workrooms with interactive whiteboards and Wi-Fi access. Multi-media projection facilities are also available for use. 

Disabled Access: The location has disabled access. 

Disabled Facilities: There are two ground floor bedrooms in the main house offering en-suite wet-rooms and toilet facilities.

Mon-Fri, 9am–5pm

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By road – From Junction 40 on the M6 follow A66 to Keswick. After about 12 miles turn right following signpost for Threlkeld. Go through the village and turn right onto Blease Road. The centre is located one mile up the hill. Alternatively, head toward Keswick along the A591. As you drive down into the town turn right and follow signposts for A66 to Penrith and M6. Follow the A66 for about two miles. Turn left and follow signpost for Threlkeld. Go through the village and turn left onto Blease Road. The centre is located one mile up the hill.

By train – The nearest train station is Penrith train station, approximately 13 miles from Threlkeld. Taxis are available from the station.

By bus – Stagecoach operates the X4 and X5 Bus from Penrith train station to Workington which runs every hour and stops in Threlkeld or Keswick. Drop off at Threlkeld – one mile walk up hill to the centre. Drop off at Keswick – taxi from Keswick to the centre. The centre is located one mile from the village of Threlkeld up Blease Road.