Dorset Adventure Park

School Trips

Why book Dorset Adventure Park for School Trips and Educational Visits?

Challenge your students to a wet and wild adventure they’ll never forget! The Waterpark features two lakes, each with its own unique set of inflatable obstacles designed to test balance, speed, and sliding skills. Rated as one of the best in Europe, it’s suitable for both adults and children and is perfect for creating unforgettable memories.

Let your students burn off energy, enjoy a physical workout, and bond through teamwork on the lake wipeout courses. Add a competitive twist by setting time limits for groups to complete the course, enhancing planning and cooperation skills.

For an extra thrill, take on our Mud Trail! This action-packed adventure will have students and staff laughing from start to finish as they crawl through muddy trenches, climb over obstacles, and push their limits. It’s a fantastic way to test stamina, strength, and agility while building camaraderie.

Located within 18 acres of beautiful woodland overlooking the iconic Corfe Castle, Dorset Adventure Park offers fun and challenging activities for all ages. Facilities include changing rooms with showers (perfect after the Mud Trail!), toilets, a snack shack, picnic areas, and plenty of green space for lunch or free time between activities.

We also provide ample parking, including space for coaches, making it easy to bring groups to this unforgettable adventure.

Teacher Checklist

LOtC Quality Badge
British Activity Providers Association

What activities are available during group visits?

Two Activities - Waterpark and Mud Trail. Our physical team challenges are designed around our large waterpark lakes and mud trail course, providing a variety of obstacles that test participants' teamwork, physical stamina, flexibility, and balance. These activities require students to work together to overcome challenges such as climbing walls, balance beams, and slippery slides, all while navigating the lakes or tackling the muddy terrain. The challenges encourage communication, collaboration, and problem-solving, helping to strengthen team bonds and promote both physical fitness and mental resilience. It’s a fun and engaging way to develop important life skills while enjoying a memorable outdoor adventure.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Physical Education

Aqua Park

Waterparks offer valuable physical education benefits, making them ideal for school trips. They promote cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, and enhance swimming and water safety skills—essential for overall physical development. The low-impact nature of water activities ensures accessibility for all fitness levels.

Waterparks also foster teamwork and social interaction through group games and challenges, building communication skills and camaraderie. The fun environment motivates students to embrace fitness, reduces stress, and boosts mental well-being. Perfect for blending physical activity, skill development, and social bonding, waterparks make learning active and enjoyable.

Physical Geography

Rivers

Dorset Adventure Park is also a great location for geography education. The park features the Corfe River, which flows through the site, providing a real-life example of river systems and ecosystems. Additionally, the lakes are clay pits fed by natural springs, offering students an opportunity to learn about local geology, hydrology, and natural water sources. These unique features make the Waterpark an engaging location for geography lessons, enhancing students' understanding of natural environments.

Local History

Dorset Adventure Park offers a rich history lesson alongside its adventure activities. The lakes are old clay pits that were once used for mining, providing students with a tangible connection to the region's industrial past. Additionally, the park is located next to the historic Corfe Castle, a 1,000-year-old fortress with a fascinating history, from its strategic role in medieval England to its destruction during the English Civil War. This combination of natural and historical landmarks makes the Waterpark an excellent setting for exploring the area's heritage and learning about the impact of industry and history on the local landscape.

Team Building

Dorset Adventure Park offers a fun and challenging environment for team-building through its Waterpark and Mud Trail, helping students develop collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The Waterpark's inflatable obstacles encourage teamwork as groups navigate balance beams, climbing walls, and slides. Key benefits include:
Teamwork: Supporting one another to overcome obstacles.
Communication: Sharing instructions and feedback.
Confidence: Pushing personal boundaries with peer encouragement.

The Mud Trail boosts teamwork further by combining physical effort with camaraderie. Participants tackle muddy trenches, climb obstacles, and crawl under nets, promoting:
Resilience: Persevering through challenges.
Leadership: Guiding the group.
Bonding: Building connections through shared fun.

These activities develop skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and cooperation, making them valuable for classroom or workplace teamwork. Dorset Adventure Park blends adventure with education, offering an ideal setting for lasting memories and skill-building.

What size groups do you cater for?

Group sizes can be up to a maximum of 120 participants per session on the lakes and 200 participants on the Mud Trail.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Unfortunately, we do not have classroom facilities on-site. However, we do have large party shelters with plenty of benches, which can be used for group gatherings, rest breaks, or informal activities during your visit. These shelters provide a comfortable space for students and staff between activities.

Is there first aid on site?

All staff at Dorset Adventure Park are first aid trained, so schools don’t need to bring their own first aiders. Our team is fully equipped to handle any minor injuries or emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of your students throughout their visit.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Here at Dorset Adventure Park we aim to offer our experiences to as many people as possible. We are continually innovating to achieve this. The waterpark and mud trail have medical and general restrictions. Be sure to read the guidelines before participating.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Anything else?

We are proud to be voted the best aqua park in Europe – visit our website for more information. We hold the RLSS Gold Standard Aqua Park certification and are also an official RLSS Training Centre. Additionally, we have earned our LOtC Badge and BAPA, ensuring schools can trust that our standards are both high and up-to-date.

Who are Dorset Adventure Park?

Dorset Adventure Park has been operating since 2016, officially opening to the public in May of that year. Prior to its development as a waterpark, the site was a fishing lake since the 1970s and, even earlier, a clay quarry. The location was originally named after Arfleet Mill, which stood at the end of Castle Lake, though the mill sadly fell into disrepair and eventually collapsed into the lake as quarrying activities ceased.

When the site was acquired, the lakes were dredged and made safe to allow for water-based activities. Any remaining fish were carefully relocated, and the lakes were transformed into the vibrant adventure park they are today. The idea of a waterpark was born, and over the years, it has grown into a popular destination with two lakes and a large mudrun course, attracting numerous visitors, especially in the summer months.

Recently, the Adventure Park was acquired by Cumulus Outdoors, a local specialist in school residentials and activities. The team at Cumulus Outdoors plans to continue offering exciting waterpark activities while encouraging school groups, families, and friends to enjoy this incredible facility, all set against the stunning backdrop of Corfe Castle.