6 to 7 years, 7 to 12 years, 12 to 16 years, College, University
SEN
With the primary role to operate both as a residential and day activity centre, Anderton Centre in Lancashire focuses on working with school groups of all ages.
With water-and land-based activities on the stunning shores of Rivington reservoir, Anderton Centre also offers accommodation for residential school trips.
What does your residential activity centre offer on a school trip
The Anderton Centre offers an unparalleled outdoor learning experience for schools, designed to inspire, challenge, and develop students in a way that traditional classrooms simply can’t.
Located in the heart of Lancashire’s beautiful countryside, the Centre provides a dynamic and safe environment where young people can explore, grow, and learn through hands-on, adventure-based activities.
We design bespoke programs that align with the curriculum and support learning outcomes, from primary to secondary school levels. Whether it’s teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, or environmental awareness, each activity is crafted to meet the needs of your school.
Schools can take advantage of a variety of outdoor activities that foster personal growth and build essential life skills. These include: Fun, water-based activities that teach teamwork, coordination, and perseverance. Climbing & Abseiling: Encourages self-confidence and resilience as students conquer their fears. High Ropes, perfect for challenging students’ comfort zones in a safe and supportive environment.
Orienteering & Navigation Skills, which develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students navigate the natural landscape. Activities designed to improve communication, collaboration, and leadership within school groups.
Health & Well-Being Focus: Beyond education, we prioritize the health and well-being of students. Being outdoors in nature, physically active, and involved in cooperative tasks promotes both mental and physical health, reducing stress and increasing overall happiness and engagement.
Schools can extend their visit with overnight residential stays. Our comfortable, modern facilities provide an immersive multi-day experience, giving students the opportunity to deepen their learning and form stronger bonds with peers.
We take pride in offering inclusive programmes that cater to students with special educational needs (SEN), ensuring everyone has the opportunity to benefit from outdoor learning in a supportive environment.
The Anderton Centre’s fully qualified instructors ensure that all activities are delivered with the highest standards of safety and supervision. Every experience is structured to be both fun and educational, leaving a lasting impact on students.
With a focus on sustainability, our programs also educate students about the environment, encouraging them to appreciate nature while learning how to protect it. Activities like nature walks, pond dipping, and woodland exploration foster a sense of responsibility for the world around them.
The Anderton Centre offers schools an immersive experience where education, adventure, and personal development come together. By stepping outside of the classroom and into nature, students gain confidence, develop new skills, and foster a deeper connection with their peers and environment. Whether it’s a one-day school trip or a week-long residential, the Anderton Centre provides an enriching outdoor learning experience that students will remember for a lifetime.
Anderton Residential Centre Lancashire Residential school trips North West Outdoor Residential Centre North West
What makes us a great group accommodation choice for a school trip or educational visit
The Anderton Centre stands out as a top choice for group accommodation for school trips and educational visits.
We offer a comprehensive range of outdoor activities designed to foster teamwork, leadership, and personal development. From watersports on the beautiful Lower Rivington Reservoir to land-based challenges, every experience is crafted to support learning outside the classroom. Our educational approach ties these activities to curriculum goals, helping schools meet key learning objectives.
Our team is highly experienced in outdoor education, youth development, and group management, ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Many of our staff, including myself, have deep expertise in leadership, education, and outdoor activities, meaning that we understand both the operational and educational needs of our visitors.
We provide bespoke activity packages tailored to the needs and goals of each group. Whether a focus is on team-building, outdoor skills, or achieving curriculum objectives like personal and social development, our flexibility ensures that each school gets the most out of their visit.
Our modern facilities offer comfortable group accommodation, large outdoor spaces, and multi-purpose indoor areas, providing a versatile base for any school trip. We are also equipped for both day and residential stays, giving schools a range of options depending on their needs.
Nestled within the stunning landscape of Rivington, the Anderton Centre offers both tranquility and adventure in equal measure. The natural surroundings are a huge draw, giving students access to nature while also challenging them with outdoor activities.
Schools return to us year after year because of the high-quality experiences we provide. Our long-standing relationships with educational institutions and consistent positive feedback are testaments to our ability to deliver meaningful and engaging learning experiences.
As someone with experience working with diverse groups, including children with special educational needs, we prioritize making all activities accessible and fostering a sense of belonging and confidence for every participant. This inclusivity is central to our ethos.
Awards, accreditations
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA
AHOEC Gold Standard
Institute of Outdoor Learning Organisation
RYA Training Centre
Paddle UK
Mountain Training
Group sizes
71 Bed residential provision
Room sizes, types
The Anderton Centre offers comfortable and flexible accommodation options ideal for school trips.
We offer 20 en-suite bedrooms under one roof, providing a total sleeping capacity of 71 across three accommodation areas. Each room is designed for comfort and privacy, ideal for groups who want modern, clean facilities.
The rooms are dormitory-style but vary in size and layout to accommodate different group needs. The exact number of beds per room can be adjusted depending on the group, but they are set up to maximize space without compromising comfort.
Rivington Block
Accommodates up to 18 guests, perfect for large groups, families, or special gatherings. It can be booked for sole occupancy, giving groups exclusive use of this section.
Self-Catering: This block features a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances, allowing groups to prepare their meals as they wish. It offers flexibility for those who want to manage their catering independently.
Pike and Woodland View
Located within the main building, these areas provide additional accommodation.
Break-out/Lounge Areas: Both Pike and Woodland View have their own lounge areas where guests can relax when not participating in activities, making it an excellent place to unwind or hold group discussions.
We pride ourselves on providing balanced, nutritious, home-cooked food in our dining room, ensuring that groups are well-fed with healthy meals to support their activities.
A nominated on-site night porter is available to support guests during their stay, ensuring safety and assistance throughout the night.
These facilities make the Anderton Centre a perfect choice for both educational visits and group retreats, combining comfort, flexibility, and a focus on well-being.
Risk assessment
At the Anderton Centre, safety is our top priority. We have robust risk assessment processes in place for every activity and provide comprehensive documentation to teachers and group leaders to ensure they are fully informed before their visit. Our risk assessments are designed to minimize risks while ensuring a fun and engaging experience for all participants.
We provide detailed risk assessments to teachers and group leaders ahead of the visit. These include activity-specific risks, general site risks, and any relevant safety measures in place. This ensures schools can prepare accordingly and share important information with parents and guardians.
We work with each group to understand any specific needs (e.g., special educational needs or disabilities) and create tailored risk assessments that take these into account. This ensures that all participants can engage safely and inclusively.
Each activity at the Anderton Centre, from high ropes and climbing to canoeing and team-building exercises, undergoes a thorough risk assessment. These assessments cover potential hazards, control measures, instructor qualifications, and safety protocols.
In addition to formal assessments, our instructors conduct daily dynamic risk assessments before activities begin. This allows us to respond to changes in the environment, weather conditions, or participant abilities.
The entire Anderton Centre site is subject to ongoing risk management. We regularly assess physical infrastructure, pathways, and activity areas to identify and mitigate risks related to the natural environment or facilities.
Our health and safety procedures are aligned with national standards, including the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), ensuring our risk assessments and operational procedures meet the highest standards.
Prices are per person and are inclusive of accommodation, catering and activities.
Residential
1 free staff place per 10
1 Night
£128.00
Price per person minimum 10
Off Peak (Nov – Jan)
£100.00
Price per person minimum 10
2 Night
£195.00
Price per person minimum 10
Off Peak (Nov – Jan)
£155.00
Price per person minimum 10
3 Night
£270.00
Price per person minimum 10
Off Peak (Nov – Jan)
£220.00
Price per person minimum 10
4 Night
£380.00
Price per person minimum 10
Off Peak (Nov – Jan)
£325.00
Price per person minimum 10
Extra staff night
£60.00
Price per person minimum 10
Revision Weekend Package
£180.00
Arrive PM Fri, includes 1 room, half day activities
First aid
The Anderton Centre is equipped with a fully stocked first aid station, accessible to both staff and visiting groups, ensuring supplies are available for minor injuries and emergencies. All instructors and key staff are fully qualified in first aid, with specific training for outdoor and adventure activities, allowing them to provide immediate care during all sessions.
Available facilities
The Anderton Centre offers a wide range of facilities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
These include a spacious canteen serving hot meals and snacks, with indoor and outdoor dining areas for packed lunches. The Centre provides wet rooms and changing areas for water-based activities, as well as clean, modern toilets and shower facilities. There’s a small on-site shop for snacks and souvenirs, where students can bring pocket money (£5-10). Study rooms and breakout areas are available for group learning, and open recreational spaces allow for relaxation or socialising between activities.
Catering options
Our highly skilled catering staff deliver provision for a wide range of dietary requirements including dairy/wheat free, Vegetarian/Vegan, or any other as specified by culture, religion or medical concerns.
We pride ourselves on using only the best locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. We always aim to surpass guest expectations, not only with our food but with our heart-warming hospitality.
Should the weather be kind, enjoy stunning countryside views from our outdoor seating, with an informal atmosphere matched with friendly service and quality cooking.
We are proud that many of our customers return many times a year, year after year, becoming like old friends to our team.
Accessibility & disabled facilities
The Anderton Centre is dedicated to being DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant, providing accessible facilities and services for all visitors. The main building and most activity areas are wheelchair accessible, along with fully accessible toilet facilities available throughout the Centre. Our qualified staff have experience working with special educational needs (SEN) students, ensuring they receive appropriate support for safe and meaningful engagement in activities.
We collaborate with schools to understand specific accessibility requirements and tailor our programmes accordingly, creating an inclusive environment where everyone can participate in outdoor learning and activities.