Prehistoric Britain School Trip
Mount Cook
Learning about Pre-Historic Britain at Mount Cook Adventure Centre offers a unique and immersive experience that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. Mount Cook combines historical learning with exciting outdoor activities. These activities not only educate, but also develop teamwork and leadership skills.The centre's programs are designed to supplement the Key Stage 2 curriculum, ensuring that the activities are educationally relevant and aligned with school learning objectives. The immersive nature of the activities ensures that students retain what they learn, creating lasting memories through experiences like an archaeological dig and making cave art.
Mount Cook's activity sessions have been recognised for their emphasis on safe practice, education, personal and social development, and (of course) enjoyment!
Our Pre-Historic Britain package can be booked as an activity day or residential trip with full board accommodation in an en-suite bedroom.
What activities are available during educational visits in 2026 & 2027?
Activities for our Prehistoric Britain package include:
- Bush Craft: Fire-lighting and shelter construction
- Archery
- Cave Art & Nature Awareness
- Archaeological dig
NEW: Prehistoric Campfire (Only available as part of a residential package)
Other history topics covered by our Educational Packages include Roman Invader and The Vikings!
- Bush Craft: Fire-lighting and shelter construction
- Archery
- Cave Art & Nature Awareness
- Archaeological dig
NEW: Prehistoric Campfire (Only available as part of a residential package)
Other history topics covered by our Educational Packages include Roman Invader and The Vikings!
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Prehistory School Trip
Stone Age Bronze Age Iron Age
'Step back in time and imagine you are all part of a Stone Age hunter gatherer tribe living 10,000 years ago. In order to survive this rich yet hostile landscape you must start your journey on learning some of the skills you would need to thrive in an environment with many dangers and variables.'
The perfect way to teach your Key Stage 2 students about pre-historic Britain! With a residential package or day trip that is linked to the curriculum, discover the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age through hands on activities, fancy dress and the great outdoors.
Your students will join a "tribe" and will spend the day learning skills such as fire lighting, bone working, shelter construction, fibre craft and cave art.
During the day the tribe will learn about why each of these skills were invaluable to our ancestors and our development as a species.
Your tribe will have the opportunity to look first hand at some of the equipment and items a stone age person would have had. During the Shelter Construction participants will work together as a tribe to build an effective shelter and will be guided by the instructor on what makes a serviceable shelter and what environmental considerations may be taken before building.
For cave painting participants will first create painting tools ranging from horsehair brushes to simple sponges from moss. Natural pigments including charcoal and clay will be used. Once ready members of the tribe will be able to create their own prehistoric story on the rock canvas.
The bow and arrow were invaluable to our stone age ancestors, it not only enabled them to hunt from potentially safer distances but would have massively improved their chances of securing the next meal. During this session the group will learn how to shoot a bow and will have plenty of opportunity to find out who earns the title of master hunter. Guided practice will begin, followed by various engaging team games.
Outdoor Learning
What size groups do we cater for?
Our maximum capacity is 180 guests.
On-site classroom facilities?
We have two break-out rooms which can be hired exclusively for classroom sessions. These spaces also include tables, chairs, a projector, screen and a whiteboard.
Is there first aid on site?
All of our staff have undertaken an Outdoor First Aid Course and have regular First Aid refresher training throughout the year.
Groups with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
We believe that the outdoors should be accessible for all, regardless of age, ability or background. Mount Cook offers a friendly, safe and supportive environment for groups of children, young people and adults with disabilities and additional needs. We offer a range of exciting outdoor activities which can be tailored to suit most specific requirements. Our activities are always fun, with a strong emphasis on developing key skills such as teamwork, communication and self-confidence.
Our purpose-built Centre offers level access from the main entrance to reception and the main dining hall, all ground floor accommodation, the self-catering kitchenettes, and communal toilets and showers. Around our site we also offer wheelchair access to our main activity field, high ropes course and archery ranges.
We have two wheelchair accessible bedrooms within our Centre which offer a double bed, with room for a carer, and plenty of unobstructed floor space. Each disabled bedroom comes with a private en suite wet room, a wall mounted shower seat and a number of thoughtfully positioned grab rails. There are disabled assistance pull-cords in the bedroom and bathroom areas.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
British Activity Providers Association
Adventure Mark
Anything else?
There is a wealth of research to support the positive effect that spending time in the natural world has on the health and emotional well being of children and young people. Residential trips have also been proven to enhance personal growth, increase self-confidence away from home and develop mental and emotional resilience in the face of set-backs. Our centre provides a safe, friendly environment where children have the freedom to enjoy the outdoors and develop a sense of empathy and care towards the environment. We also know that encouraging children to be active at a young age increases their chances of engaging in sports or outdoor activities later on in life.
Who are Mount Cook?
Mount Cook Adventure Centre is a not-for-profit organisation, based on the outskirts of the Peak District. We use the spectacular natural environment surrounding our Centre, to offer a range of exciting outdoor adventurous activities and engaging educational workshops.
The best outcomes in outdoor learning are achieved when the activities we offer relate to your classroom teaching, whilst encouraging positive personal and social development. That's why we have developed a selection of primary packages that make history fun, engaging and informative.
We are proud to be an AHOEC Gold Standard Centre, as well as holding the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge and AALA licence. We know that learning can successfully extend beyond the classroom walls and into the great outdoors. When done effectively, learning outside of the classroom transfers into a variety of life skills, and changes in attitudes and behaviours.
Every enquiry gives you a chance to win trips and workshops for your school - We are giving away a free trip for every week of the Autumn term!
Matlock Derbyshire DE4 4LS
The View from the Peak
As we prepare to welcome your group for an unforgettable residential stay in the Peak District, we’re sharing exactly what makes Mount Cook Adventure Centre one of the UK’s premier school trip destinations.
2 minsAmazing Autumn Residentials at Mount Cook Adventure Centre
There are loads of reasons to start your school year with a residential to Mount Cook Adventure Centre
2 minsHistory residentials at Mount Cook get a new look!
History packages with exciting new evening activities. Learn about Vikings Explorers, Roman Invaders or Prehistoric Britain.
