Residential Trip Residentials Yorkshire
Low Mill is a converted 19th century water mill situated in the village of Askrigg, Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The mill is ideally placed in one of the most beautiful areas in the North of England for outdoor education, environmental education, and team-building activities.Our dedicated and trusted partners Alfresco Adventures uphold our ethos and advocate 'Real adventure in the real outdoors'. They are fully AALA licensed and, with the help of their instructors, deliver fun and challenging activities that take place both on and off site in locations such as Semer Water, Ribblehead cave systems and Appersett viaduct. Low Mill also provide schools with non-adventurous activities which range from team games and archery to nature walks and campfire singalongs.
Outdoor learning helps build resilience, robustness, independence and confidence in young people. Our core values are kindness, teamwork and communication. At Low Mill, students work together in developing independent living skills which range from bed making to domesticated tasks such as washing up, clearing and resetting after meals. Research on achieving impactful and brilliant residentials underlines the importance of this ethos, building character and providing pupils with an opportunity to learn how to engage with their peers (and teachers!) outside of their normal home life and school schedule.
Our intention is that children depart Low Mill having created memories that will last a lifetime and an appreciation for the outdoors, environment and the teachers, staff and adults at home that made it all happen.
What activities are available during educational visits in 2027?
Our Centre Manager will work with you to create a bespoke activity programme for your visiting school cohort. Low Mill offers a range of activities and the Yorkshire Dales National Park is the perfect backdrop for pupils to immerse themselves in both the adventurous and non-adventurous activities we offer such as:
Abseiling, Archery, Bushcraft, Campfires, Caving, Canoeing, Climbing, Gorge Walking, Hill and Moorland days, Kayaking, Nature Walks, Orienteering, Raft Building, Stand up Paddle-boarding, Team Game Challenges, Zip Wiring...
Abseiling, Archery, Bushcraft, Campfires, Caving, Canoeing, Climbing, Gorge Walking, Hill and Moorland days, Kayaking, Nature Walks, Orienteering, Raft Building, Stand up Paddle-boarding, Team Game Challenges, Zip Wiring...
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Watersports School Trip
SUP Stand Up Paddleboarding Kayaking Canoeing Raft Building
Our canoeing, kayaking and raft-building sessions take place on Semer Water. Canoes and kayaks are great vehicles for exploring and also developing the three C's Confidence, Cooperation & Communication skills in students.
Our trusted partners Alfresco Adventures' instructors ensure the most professional and safe experience for visitors.
Environmental Geography
>Fieldstudies
>Physical Education
>Sustainability
>Team Building
>Outdoor Learning
What size groups do we cater for?
42 total residential capacity, spread across eight bunk-bedded, en-suite rooms of varying sizes.
On-site classroom facilities?
Yes, There is a large stage area perfect for providing group work/group based discussions, as well as a smaller room opposite the stage which could be used as a classroom. There are chairs that can be provided in this case as well as a working projector.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes, all of our partner instructors hold valid outdoor first aid qualifications. Our cook also holds a level 3 indoor first aid qualification and both the Centre Manager and Centre Staff employee hold Medi-Rec 16 hour outdoor first aid qualifications commensurate with Rescue Emergency Care Scheme Guidelines.
Groups with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre is equipped to cater for visitors with Special Educational needs depending on group size. All of our ensuite bedrooms are fitted with strobe lights which flash in the event of the fire alarms being set off in order to aid those with hearing impairments. Contrastingly, there are bells located throughout the building to aid those with visual impairments. We have and continue to work with SEN groups to help deliver the perfect residential for those with SEN. Namely, tailoring activity programmes so that activities are inclusive of all participants. Our trusted partnership with Alfresco Adventures offer a team of dedicated and highly qualified instructors who are experienced in delivering activities for any participant with a particular need. We also have an outdoor wheelchair to aid those with physical/mobility needs. Low mill also has two lifts, one which is located on the ground floor to enable access to the first floor and a stage lift. This provides quick and efficient access routes for an ease of life whilst in the centre.
Furthermore, the seats in our minibuses can be altered in order to accommodate those who require wheelchair transportation, depending on numbers of the group. Our cook can amend any menu in order to cater for all dietary requirements and we also provide visitors with a personal fridge which can be locked to house any medication in need of refrigeration.
In conclusion, Low Mill is fully equipped to cater for all SEN needs. For anymore information, don't hesitate to contact us.
The centre is adapted to be fully accessible, with some of the rooms having accessible en-suite wet rooms. We have specialised equipment to allow people with limited mobility to participate in the sessions including canoeing, zipwire and archery.
We also have a lift from the ground floor to the first floor, as well as a stage lift onto the stage to ensure all areas of the centre are inclusive.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits Free Places for Teachers Resource Packs
AALA Licence
£10m PL Insurance
Anything else?
Our trusted partners, Alfresco Adventures, are fully AALA licensed and offer the services of some of the most experienced instructors in the country. You will have exclusive access to Low Mill giving your stay a real sense of home. The majority of our activities take place off site, in areas of outstanding natural beauty around the Yorkshire Dales National Park. To mention a few, Semer Water Lake, Ribblehead Viaduct (where the Thistle and Runscar cave systems are located) and Appersett, one of the remaining strong holds of the red squirrel populations. We also pride ourselves highly in relation to our catering side of the residential, offering homemade meals of a high standard, showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our cook can cater for any dietary requirements.
Who are Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre?
Low Mill Outdoor Centre is dedicated to the development of young people through outdoor adventure and has operated as a charity since 1976. School and youth groups usually opt for a week/split week stay that is fully catered and inclusive of multi-activity outdoor sessions, such as caving, canoeing, climbing, abseiling and environmental based activities. All programmes are bespoke and arranged with you in advance of your visit.
Our charitable objectives and overall aims of the trust is to advance the education of children and young people through the provision of; maintaining and managing an outdoor education centre, facilities and equipment the provision of accessible and affordable outdoor education and recreational activities to help support children and young peoples physical, mental and social capabilities. It our also a huge part of our ethos to highlight the importance of the environment, being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is fundamental for us to showcase this and to teach young adults and students in methods of preservation/conservation.
Our Reviews from Schools..
★★★★★
enjoy it lot of fun
the oaks school
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!
Leyburn North Yorkshire DL83HZ
