Skern Lodge Outdoor Learning and Development Residential Centre North Devon

Discover Skern Lodge in North Devon: Adventure and Learning by the Sea

Nestled in the scenic surroundings of North Devon, Skern Lodge is a premier outdoor activity centre that offers unforgettable adventures for schools, colleges and corporate groups. Located on the edge of the picturesque Taw and Torridge estuary, Skern Lodge combines stunning natural beauty with an array of outdoor activities designed to inspire, educate, and entertain.

Perfect for Schools and Groups

Skern Lodge is renowned for its school residential trips, which focus on personal development through outdoor learning. Experienced instructors lead activities that encourage problem-solving, leadership, and resilience in a safe and supportive environment. Skern Lodge also offers Geography fieldwork courses at all levels from Primary School to A Level students. Fieldwork sites are in our local area and can include investigating sand dune ecosystems at Braunton Burrows, exploring coastal processes at Westward Ho! beach and studying regeneration at two contrasting urban towns. 

Bespoke Courses 

With a strong passion for the outdoors, we are dedicated to providing your students with an outstanding outdoor learning experience tailored to meet your educational goals. Our team will collaborate with your school to design a programme that aligns with your objectives, ensuring you have access to the right opportunities for success.

Our customers return year after year, telling us it’s because of the great customer care provided by the whole staff team throughout their stay that makes their residential experience a real enriching opportunity for both students and teachers. It all comes down to the people – and our team want to ensure a smooth, safe, enjoyable experience for all groups that visit. But we’re also very fortunate enough to be in a breathtaking location and have access to a wide range of outdoor activities, both on and off site.

Skern Lodge has a range of activities to suit all ages and abilities, with a great mixture of water and land based, both on site and in some fantastic nearby locations. 

On-site activities: Archery, Assault Course, Climb & Abseil, Crate Stack, High Ropes, Orienteering, Problem Solving, Swimming Pool (Swim, Pool Kayak, Raft Build), Tunnels & Night Line, Zip Line.

Off-site activities: Beach Games, Coastal Explore at Westward Ho! or at the rocky peninsula of Hartland, Crabbing, Expedition Bivi, Kayaking, Power Boat, Rafting, Seashore Trail, Surfing & Bodyboarding, Tarka Trail Cycling.

Evening activities include Bridge/Quay Jump, Dark Skies (exploring the solar system), Disco, Night Walks, Pool Olympics, Scavenger Hunt, Skern Lodge Olympics and more.

If you’re looking for fieldwork, Skern Lodge is ideally located within the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere Reserve with access to some great fieldwork venues close by. Classrooms and a wide range of fieldwork equipment and worksheets are available

We hold the LOtC Quality Badge, AAIAC Adventure Mark and are accredited by AALA. We are also a British Canoeing and RYA approved training centre.

We have four different accommodation blocks and have beds for around 260 guests. 

None so click away! There are no copyright restrictions at Skern Lodge and if you take a great shot, tag us on social media – we would love to see it! 

Risk assessments and other useful documents are available to download via our website through our Leader Zone log-in. Log-in details can be obtained by contacting Skern Lodge.

Residential prices vary depending on group size and time of year. Free staff places are available, please contact us for a quote.

All staff at Skern Lodge are first aid trained. A qualified member of staff is also on duty through the night.

• Meeting rooms, shower and toilet facilities, drying rooms
• Staff area with access to basic amenities (tea & coffee facilities, fridge etc.)
• Dining room with seating for 120
• Full catering provided with fresh food including healthy, local options and any dietary requirements catered for. A sample programme is available to download from our website
• Classrooms
• Shop providing toiletries, food and drink, clothing and Skern Lodge souvenirs
• Bar
• Free Wi-Fi
• Service wash laundry
• Games field and equipment
• Dedicated night duty person

Full catering provided including breakfast, lunch and dinner. All meals are freshly prepared with healthy, locally sourced options, and we accommodate any dietary requirement. A sample programme is available to download from our website.

Several of our rooms are accessible for wheelchair users and have wet room showers.

We are open throughout the year, including weekends and bank holidays. 

Residential groups have a full day from 9am – 5pm and evening programme from 7pm.

“Thanks for another great trip! It’s so great to be back. Daisy and Tom are fantastic tutors that work incredibly hard and build brilliant relationships with students very quickly. They are a credit to Skern and really demonstrate what geography is all about!! Thank you.” – Chew Valley School, A Level Fieldwork Residential 

“We discussed working on resilience, organisation and pushing what the children believed they were capable of. These were all achieved, and it was great to see the level of development in the children. Excellent job by all the team at Skern. Great instructors who were fantastic at motivating the children. Awesome food which really helped some children develop what they’ll try/eat. Excellent communication between the school and the team.” – The Heights, Primary School Residential

“Our aims and objectives for this programme were clearly met… Jordan and Henry had a great rapport with our students from the first day which continued throughout the week. Night duty staff were also helpful and checked in each night.” – Stratford Level 2 Public Services, College Residential

“Each time we have visited Skern, we have had excellent care and direction from the tutors. Our accommodation, food and activities were all of high standard. The tutors were fantastic with our students – very knowledgeable, able to communicate well and always safe and thoughtful.” – TASIS, Geography in Action Residential

Skern Lodge is situated in Appledore, North Devon, offering views looking out across the Taw and Torridge estuary. We are just a short distance away from the historic towns of Bideford and Barnstaple, and close to the picturesque coastline, Key highlights include the beaches of Westward Ho! and Saunton, the clifftop village of Clovelly and the rocky peninsula at Hartland. The area is also home to attractions like Exmoor National Park, Braunton Burrows sand dunes and the Tarka Trail, a popular route for cycling and walking.

We offer clean, comfortable accommodation with a variety of options, including dormitory style bunkbed rooms, camping pods and grass tent pitches. Separate buildings accommodate different groups and ages, each with their own meeting and social areas. Modern facilities such as a heated outdoor pool, spacious dining areas, and well-equipped classrooms make it an ideal base for school groups. There’s plenty of room on site for games and play, and the views out to sea are stunning.

You can get in touch with us via phone, 01237475992 or email, skern@skernlodge.co.uk