Ghyll Head Outdoor Educational Residential Activity Centre Lake District Cumbria

We make the most of our fabulous World Heritage Site location to give your group a truly authentic Lake District experience including locations such as Langdale, Coniston and the Coppermines Valley.

Our activities are inclusive and accessible for all (including lake-based activities) meaning every child has the best possible experience.

Our highly experienced instructors will remain with your group throughout your course enabling them to get to know students and adapt to the needs of each individual.

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Here at Ghyll Head, we will create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, home-from-home environment where you will have exclusive access to your accommodation.

Our bespoke, student-centered and cross curricular courses make the most of our fabulous Lake District location, providing an authentic, exciting & educational outdoor experience.

All our instructors are highly experienced, qualified to the highest level and have an educational background.

We can deliver one of the most memorable experiences of a young person’s life Ghyll Head is open all year.

All staff are First Aid trained.

We can offer the following activities as part of your Outdoor Education and Activity Course programme – all weather dependent of course!  Lake based activities take place from our boathouse on the shore of Lake Windermere – England’s longest lake. Our local Lakeland fells, ghylls and summits provide great walking and ghyll scrambling opportunities.  Caving takes place in the nearby Yourkshire Dales National Park. All other activities listed will take place within our extensive grounds.

• Ghyll Scrambling
• Mountain Summit Walk
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Stand Up Paddleboarding
• Sailing
• Climbing
• Caving (4-night courses only)
• Zip Wire
• Ropes Course
• Orienteering
• Lakeland Fell Walk
• Teambuilding
• Archery

We run a ratio of 1 instructor to 12 students.  However, we may need to allocate an additional instructor (and associated costs) if there are additional needs within the group – this will ensure we deliver the best possible experience for all.

The maximum number of activity groups we can run at one time is 6-7 depending on the time of year.

 Example programmes

 2-night & 4-night Courses

• Activity groups of 12 per instructor
• Day 1: Arrive 12.30 with pack lunch, afternoon activity, evening activity e.g. tipi & camp fire / night line
• Day 2 (3&4): Breakfast, morning activity, pack lunch, afternoon activity, evening meal (self-lead activities for the evening)
• Day 3: Breakfast, morning activity, depart 12.30 with pack lunch

We will tailor a course to meet the needs of your group, so please do let us know what your aims are, and we can discuss ideas with you.

Week-end Programmes

Week-end visits offer the same number of activity sessions, commencing on Friday evening from 4pm with an evening instructor-led activity such as Tipi campfire or nightline.  Departure is at 4pm on the Sunday after another full day of activities.

Accommodation Options

Overview

We have a choice of accommodation options for you – all with exceptional Lake District views.

Our House, Bungalow and Lodge are all set within 17 acres of private grounds with lawns, tipi, fire pits and ancient woodland.  We have a Boathouse on the shore of lake Windermere.

We also have a POD Village nestled in the private woodland above with a separate entrance and its own classroom.

All accommodation options are on an exclusive use basis.

All bedding is included.

Grounds – plenty of space for lawn games, exploring, woodland activities and campfire fun all within our private grounds.

House (Exclusive use)

Our recently renovated large Victorian House is bursting with lakeside character and has views of Windermere and the Lake District mountains beyond.  We have 17 acres of private grounds and a Boathouse on the lakeshore.

Our House is ideal for larger groups of 40 – 48 or can be combined with the Bungalow and / or Lodge for groups of up to 72 (or up to 84 in summer).

• 12 dormitory style bedrooms (four en-suite)
• Character living room and dining space
• Separate teacher’s staff room
• Ground floor accessible bedroom
• Indoor games area
• Kit store and drying room
• Garden, lawn and private woodland with tipi and fire pit.

Accessible Bungalow (Exclusive use)

Our accessible bungalow has sensational views over Windermere and the Lake District Fells beyond.  Total capacity 29 in 7 dormitory style bedrooms with 3 shower rooms and an additional toilet, drying room and lobby.

Large open plan living / dining room with kitchen.  Separate games room.  Level flooring throughout. Outside: garden, lawn and private woodland with tipi and fire pit.

Our purpose-built bungalow offers modern facilities and is ideal for smaller groups and groups with additional needs.  Situated only a few minutes’ stroll from the main house. Can be combined with The Lodge for extra bed space.

Accessible features of our Bungalow include the following:

• Level access to and from the Bungalow from our private adjacent car park.
• Level flooring throughout.
• 2 manual hoists available + 2 spacious wet rooms/bathroom with 1 portable shower table.
• 1 single room available with a profiling bed + 2 other rooms with space for wheelchair users.
• Games Room/Meeting Room with ramped access at front and rear of building.
• Access path around the lovely grounds enabling guests to reach our camp fire and Tipi.

The Lodge (Exclusive use)

An additional 6 student beds, small staff bedroom for 2 and one shower room to share – used to supplement either the bungalow or house accommodation (NB it has no additional living space).

POD Village (Exclusive use for up to 40) 9 individual woodland PODs plus separate indoor classroom / gathering space with tables & seating.

Sleeps up to 40 in nine modern, heated wooden glamping PODs – 5 x 5 berth, 1 x 2 berth and 1 x 3 berth

A short walk to its own private heated facility block including toilets & showers on 2 separate sides, small kitchen with fridge / freezer, microwave, kettle and sink. Induction hob also available on request. Outdoor cooking and BBQ area and woodland fire pit.  In addition, there is a heated group room (or classroom) for exclusive use on site

• 40 beds in total (5 x 5 berth, 1 x 3 berth, 1 x 2 berth)
• Situated in quiet private woodland very close to local footpaths
• Classroom
• Plenty of space to explore and run exciting forest-based activities
• Exclusive use of whole site available when booked in advance
• Each POD has comfy single beds with mattresses (No bedding) under bed heating. LED lighting, plug sockets & charging points, Lockable doors
• Heated shower / toilet block – 2 sides with separate entrances
• Outdoor seating/picnic area
• Small kitchen
• Fire Pit and orienteering course
• Access to ropes course and “Dead Shed”

AALA lisence:  L159697  AALA Provider Reference R0237

Maximum group size for all-inclusive activity courses = 72

Smaller groups can stay with exclusive use to their chosen accommodation.

Bungalow minimum = 12

House minimum = 40

POD Village minimum = 10

Dormitory style rooms some with en-suite.

• House 60 beds
• Bungalow 29 beds
• POD Village 40 beds

We provide a full Risk Assessment Summary with all the information you need for each activity.

Groups are welcome to take film and photography whilst on site.

Peak Rate: £208.00+VAT per person for 2 night course.

Mid Rate: £186.00+VAT per person for a 2 night course.

Low Rate: £142.00+VAT per person for a 2 night course.

1 free place for every 10 paying.

All Ghyll Head staff are First Aid Trained.

We have First Aid stations on-site.

• Tuck Shop on request
• Indoor games areas
• Outdoor games areas
• Dining rooms
• Brew Room or Kitchen
• Separate staff Room in main House
• Separate games room in Bungalow
• Drying rooms
• Tiolets
• Changing room
• Kit store
• Boot store
• Social spaces
• WIFI (not POD Village)
• Safe for valuables or confidential information
• Fridge Freezer for group use

• Cold buffet breakfast – optional extra hot rolls
• Packed lunches – choice of sandwich fillings and home-made cakes
• 2 – course evening meals
• Help yourself refreshments available throughout the day

Self-catered options are also available on request.

All our activity Courses are suitable for SEND groups.  Our staff are all highly experienced with delivering outdoor activities for all.  We have wheelchair access to accommodation, facilities and activities.

We are open every day of the year including holidays.

Here you will find some examples of the feedback we regularly receive: https://ghyllhead.org/testimonials

The Lake District National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ghyll Head Activity Courses are designed to make the most of its location in the heart of this unique culture and landscape.

Self-programmed residential options

• Fully catered or self-catered accommodation only visits
• Example of self-lead sessions: SATS booster lessons, revision, literacy / numeracy focus, quiet time and time with vulnerable students
• Resources available: Orienteering, ropes course, local viewpoint walks. Of site options – lake cruises, Beatrix Potter sites. Local attractions