Some of the most important things a student learns at school happen away from the classroom. Your students will take part in activities led by qualified instructors, from sailing and power kites to crabbing and land-based challenges. It's hands-on from the moment you arrive.
What students get out of it:
• Real problem-solving, in a setting where the outcome really depends on them
• Working as a team in practical situations, not just in theory
• A chance to try something unfamiliar to see how they handle it
Each activity links back to outcomes you can point to, such as teamwork, communication, resilience and leadership. Tell us what you're aiming for - a Year 7 bonding trip, PSHE-linked residential or a focused study break pre-GCSEs.
For residentials, choose from our residential centre, nomadic bell tents or camping depending on budget and what suits your group. All meals are provided and dietary and allergy needs are catered for (please advise 7 days prior to visit).
We work to recommended staff ratios, adjusted where an activity calls for closer supervision. If a student has additional needs, whether medical, social, or behavioural, let us know and we'll talk it through with you. We want your programme to work for everyone in the group.
85% of schools return. We know that teachers value Essex Outdoors as students leave more confident and more willing to have a go. You'll leave with a clear sense of what the visit has achieved.
What activities are available during educational visits in 2026 & 2027?
• Archery
• Bridge Building
• Bushcraft
• Crabbing and boat trip
• Sailing
• Dragon Boating
• Fencing
• High ropes
• Off road biking
• Power kites
• Raft building
• Problem solving
• Bridge Building
• Bushcraft
• Crabbing and boat trip
• Sailing
• Dragon Boating
• Fencing
• High ropes
• Off road biking
• Power kites
• Raft building
• Problem solving
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Watersports School Trip
Raft Building Sailing
Bradwell offer sailing, boat trips and crabbing, dragon boating and raft building offering students a wide variety of water-based adventures led by qualified instructors, building confidence, balance and teamwork. It's a natural activity with a residential or a day visit and works well alongside land-based activities for a varied programme.
Team Building
>Bushcraft
>Outdoor Learning
>Revision Breaks
>Wildlife
>What size groups do we cater for?
Up to 120 for activities. Up to 140 for residential.
On-site classroom facilities?
Classroom/lounge with TV, small classroom with tea and coffee making facilities, games room, dining room as well as drying rooms for wet clothing.
Is there first aid on site?
All our activity instructors are first aid trained and will assist you in the event of any emergency.
Groups with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)
We will work with you before the visit to understand each student’s needs, so the programme is built around your group rather than adjusted on the day.
Making sure every student can take part is something we take seriously. Our staff will adapt an activity on the day rather than simply offering a stripped-back version of it.
Areas within buildings and accommodation are accessible, and we have access to specialist equipment including hoists and all-terrain wheelchairs, so the practical side is covered too.
Teacher Checklist
Get Risk Assessments
Free Places for Teachers LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
Adventure Mark
RYA Centre
£25m PL Insurance
Anything else?
All our centres - Mersea, Harlow, Bradwell and Danbury - hold an AALA licence, the government safety accreditation required for providers delivering adventurous activities to under-18s as well as LotC Quality Badge and Adventuremark. Between our team, we bring decades of combined experience. It shows as 85% of visitors come back and 90% of visitors would recommend us.
Who are Essex Outdoors?
We're Essex Outdoors, part of Essex County Council, running four residential and activity centres across the county at Bradwell, Danbury, Harlow, and Mersea. We've been giving young people the chance to try adventurous activities in the outdoors for over 50 years.
Essex Outdoors Bradwell is a Royal Yacht Association (RYA) Training Centre and a leading provider of sailing, keel boating and water sport activities for schools, groups, businesses and individuals on the Essex coast. A purpose-built outdoor centre, Bradwell is situated on the River Blackwater Estuary, a stretch of sheltered tidal water with panoramic views and stunning sunsets.
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