Newlands Adventure Centre Keswick, Lake District

Newlands Adventure Centre, a top-notch full-board outdoor activity centre. As the country’s oldest and most historic outdoor centre, we guarantee a unique and authentic experience, meeting all your school trip needs.

Embark on a few days of thrilling adventure, including Ghyll Scrambling, High Ropes, Paddleboarding, and Rock Climbing, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. With over a century of adventure expertise, Newlands has hosted thousands of students for unforgettable trips. Trust us to be the ideal residential centre for your school’s needs.

There are many reasons to book with Newlands Adventure Centre, here a just some of the reasons why:

3 freshly meals a day? Our onsite chefs can sort that out!

Accommodation with bedding? Not a problem!

3hr Activities to give our students unforgettable experiences? To easy, Give us a challenge!

Transport to all the activities? Beep Beep! We have plenty of comfy vans to do that!

Fully trained staff with DBS check & First Aid? Of course! Our staff are the best of the best.

Unique unbeatable locations to do our activities? Does it get better in the UK than the Lake District…?

What do I have to organise? Buses to and from Schools and Bedtime!

Let’s face it, planning and running a school residential can be hard and stressful, not to mention a lot more work than you expect when you are there.

Do you wish you knew of a place which can guarantee your students are going to have an incredible time but also take away the majority of the workload a school trip can bring on teachers?

Well, you do now!

Newlands Adventure Centre is an awesome full-board outdoor activity centre. Located in the heart of the stunning Lake District, a prime location that offers a range of unforgettable on and offsite activities that will leave you and your students not wanting to leave!

We are the oldest and most historic outdoor centre in the country and we pride ourselves on providing a unique and authentic experience that we are sure will meet all your needs and requirements for your school trip.

Dive into an awesome few days of adventure with us! From Ghyll Scrambling to High Ropes, Paddleboarding to Rock Climbing, we really will give everyone a once in a lifetime experience they will never forget!

However, if the adventure lifestyle isn’t for you, no problem! It’s not compulsory for you to be in the adventure session. If you want to kick back in your own private teacher’s room with unlimited coffee & biscuits to make tackling that mountain of marking which needs to be done easier, then be our guest! We are more than happy to look after your students for you for the day!

We have been an adventure centre for over 100 years and provided thousands of students with incredible adventure holidays which still get talked about today, so why not let your students become one of them? Come to Newlands and trust that you have found the perfect residential centre which will cater for all your and your school’s needs.

Ghyll Scrambling:
Come rain or shine, there’s no better way for everyone to bond at Newlands than descending down the Ghyll together – the ultimate wet and wild descent down a mountain stream! Leap off or slide down waterfalls and soak up all the thrill whilst under the supervision of our instructors. It’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable time together!

Paddleboarding:
Exploring Derwentwater whilst Paddleboarding is an amazing experience. With the chance to explore the stunning Islands on Derwentwater and engage in some fun games, it’s no wonder Paddleboarding is quickly becoming a favourite among our
groups. So jump right in, test your skills, and be assured that this will be an unforgettable session for all.

Kayaking:
Hop aboard a one-seater kayak and grab a double-ended paddle as we go explore all which Derwentwater has to offer. After mastering basic strokes and a safety briefing on land, then you will set sail on a lake adventure, from playing games, to
exploring islands, to even having a swim, this session is full of lots of fun and laughter for the whole group.

Canoeing:
Following the same itinerary as the Kayaking, but this time in a two or three seated Canoe with a single ended paddle. After mastering basic strokes and listening to a safety briefing, set sail on a lake adventure, from games, to exploring islands, to even having a swim, this session is full of fun and laughter for the whole group. This session is certainly easier to manage with larger groups.

The Woods:
In our private woodland, you’ll face obstacles that’ll test your physical and mental resilience. And that’s not all: working together in a team, you’ll bond and build invaluable skills that’ll stay with you long after your adventure ends. A perfect activity to showcase your groups teamwork skills and abilities. It’s time to conquer your fears and have fun whilst doing so!

Outdoor Rock Climbing:
Your instructor will take the group through an in-depth lesson on how to climb safely as a team. The group will be taught essential rope work skills, which will include learning to tie in and belaying your partner. Your instructor will give you expert advice on how to reach the top of the crag, which will prove invaluable. A fantastic session for any group.

Mountain Walk:
Our expert team will not only show you the way, but also teach you valuable map reading skills and share fascinating knowledge about the local landscape. We offer a range of walks to suit all abilities, from a challenging walk up Catbells and Barrow to the more demanding heights of Helvellyn and Scafell Pike. Our adventures typically start at Newlands Adventure Centre.

Archery & Problem Solving:
These activities are both based at Newlands Adventure Centre. Both are the perfect way to start your activity week and ease everyone into working together in their activity groups. These challenges will require a lot of different skillsets. This is a great way for everyone to exercise their teamwork skills and works for all groups of all ages!

Bushcraft Session:
Experience our exciting bushcraft session at Newlands Adventure Centre. Our purpose-built Bushcraft shelter is the hub of this hands on adventure where you’ll learn essential survival skills, including fire starting techniques and den building. Led by expert instructors, you’ll harness the power of nature in one of the UK’s most
picturesque settings, leaving you inspired by the great outdoors.

Indoor Climbing:
As well as Newlands, we also own Keswick Climbing Wall. A fantastic indoor climbing wall with great facilities to meet the needs of everyone in the group. Much like an outdoor Rock Climbing session, you will be taught the safety skills required for climbing, as well as test yourself on some of our harder routes. This really is the perfect session for any group.

AALA Licence

5 Star Food Hygiene certificate

Up to 130

The majority of the rooms are dormitories sleeping 8 children each. There are single, twin and triple rooms for teachers. The toilet and shower facilities are shared by the children with separate facilities for teachers.

We have a robust risk assessment in place which we share with teachers.

They are very welcome to share any photos or videos taken.

Gayle Brooks- info@activity-centre.com

We offer a range of packages dependent on budget.

20% off package prices for trips in March or November.

1 free adult place for every 10 children. Any additional adult’s half price.

All senior members of the team and all the instructors have first aid qualifications. All the instructors carry first aid kits on activities and are available around the site. A member of Newlands staff, that holds a first aid qualification, is always on site so the school do not need to bring a first aider.

Check out our virtual tour at

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=rnLDpBGZQ2a

We offer fully catered stays. All meals are freshly made on site by our experienced chef. This includes packed lunches.

Newlands is able to tailor and adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of the group. We work with experienced and qualified instructors in small activity groups of 8. Working with small groups enables us to offer quality sessions to all children, maximising the activity time available.

We work closely with schools prior to their trip to ensure any specific measures are in place well in advance.

Students and their families can take a virtual tour of Newlands Adventure Centre via our website prior to the residential, so they have a familiarity with the centre. We have had some great feedback from schools on how useful this tool is to some children to be able to visualise where they will be sleeping, eating, and having fun.

In addition to this our dedicated and experienced chef is able to cater for specific dietary needs such as ARFID, making mealtimes at Newlands a happy and fulfilling experience.

We have an accessible toilet on site however the bedrooms are not wheelchair accessible.

Open all year round, every day of the week.

School Residentials

Our stunningly beautiful location, nestled in the heart of the tranquil Newlands Valley, will take your breath away and leave you feeling inspired.

We are an independent, family run business so we are able to provide a personal touch.