Bursaries Available!

Kingswood - Dukeshouse Wood

Kingswood School Trips

Bursaries Available! Residentials North East

Why book 'Kingswood - Dukeshouse Wood' with Kingswood for Residential School Trips and Educational Visits?

Kingswood has been delivering award-winning outdoor adventure learning trips for 40 years, engaging with the latest pedagogic research to design curriculum-linked programmes that develop confidence, resilience and learning ability.

Situated on a beautiful fell side just outside the leafy suburbs of Hexham, close to Newcastle and the Scottish Borders, Dukeshouse Wood offers private woodland perfect for nature walks, orienteering and bushcraft.

The 18-acre adventure park is equipped with a host of exciting and high-adrenaline activities, including high ropes, zipwire, abseiling, 3G Swing and Leap of Faith. Indoors, the activity barn offers indoor climbing and provides a great space for workshops and problem-solving initiatives

This centre boasts recently refreshed party leader bedrooms that are complete with contemporary furnishings, tea and coffee making facilities. All party leader rooms are close to student dormitories and contain ensuite bathrooms.

Whether you would like to create your own activity programme, or let the experts do it for you, our outdoor adventures are designed to ensure that you achieve your desired learning outcomes, whilst offering each child an opportunity to increase their resilience, grow their confidence and develop their character.

Our most versatile programme, 'Adventure', is the perfect choice if you are looking for a diverse set of challenges and activities that cover all aspects of the curriculum. This programme features a mix of daily activities, evening educational entertainment and dedicated time with the Course Director for each child to engage in all aspects of the curriculum and reflect on their learning.

Alternatively, 'Adventure Plus' allows you to tailor-make your own activity programme to achieve specific learning outcomes. Simply let us know your desired outcome and we will work with you to create the perfect activity programme for your needs.

We work hard to provide quality education courses with affordable options. We offer a selection of trip durations, available all year round.

Other facilities: communal yurt, diner, shop, social hubs, party leader lounges, classrooms

Our on-site shop sells snacks and drinks, souvenirs, games and mementos

school trip at Kingswood - Dukeshouse Wood

school groups Kingswood - Dukeshouse Wood

Kingswood - Dukeshouse Wood school groups

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Free Places for Teachers
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
ABTA Licence
British Activity Providers Association
Adventure Mark
NCS Centre

What activities are available during group visits?

18-acre adventure park featuring climbing, aeroball, scrapheap challenge, archery, abseiling, 3G swing, Quidditch, zipline and a high-ropes course featuring our famous Leap of Faith and Jacob’s Ladder challenges.

The extensive outdoor learning opportunities also include orienteering, bushcraft, shelter building and KS2 Geography & Biology (woodland, minibeasts, sustainability)

Indoor activities: Cinema, fencing, Activity barn with climbing wall and problem-solving activities.

Nearby: Access to 100 acres of woodland, and only a short distance from Hadrian’s Wall

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Curriculum topics available: Climbing, Orienteering, High Ropes, Archery.

We offer a range of physical activities across our centres which promote health and wellbeing, resilience and team-building skills. Activities at Dukeshouse Wood include climbing, abseiling, high ropes, ziplining, archery, fencing and more!

Curriculum topics available: Sustainable living.

Students explore and learn about different natural landscapes and environments in the great outdoors! Students apply critical thinking skills in discussions around conservation and sustainability. Discover our dynamic coastline, see our local woodlands through the eyes of our native red squirrel, uncover what creepy crawlies live in the woods, and learn what we can do to make a more sustainable planet!

Bushcraft is offered at many of the Kingswood centres, either in a dedicated area or woodland adjacent to site. Sessions may include shelter building, fire lighting and cooking. Sessions may include shelter building, fire lighting and cooking and encourage independent thinking as well as collaborative working.

Curriculum topics available: Autistic Spectrum, Emotional and Behavioural Disorders, Physical and Mobility, Partially Wheelchair Accessible.

Programmes contain plenty of opportunities to differentiate for varying abilities. Kingswood are able to accommodate participants with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours, and those who are mobility, visually or hearing impaired. An overview of the general suitability of key activities offered at our centres can be viewed on our website under the policies section. We encourage any group leaders to contact their chosen centre to arrange a free visit as early as possible in the planning process to discuss their requirements.

This outdoor session encourages participants to make the most of our centres' spacious surroundings with team games. With a mix of formal 'sports' such as cricket, rounders, ultimate frisbee, basketball and football, through to fun games and races based on these skills, there's something for everyone to have fun in the fresh air. Students usually compete in small teams, displaying tactical awareness and strategy.

What size groups do you cater for?

Any group size can be catered for. There is no minimum group size and providing there is availability, the maximum is the full centre capacity, splitting into smaller groups (maximum of 15) for activities.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Classrooms are available to use throughout your residential. Please contact us directly to find out more about our computer labs.

Is there first aid on site?

All Kingswood staff complete health and safety training and there are always first aiders on site.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

We endeavour to make our centres accessible to as many young people as possible. Experience has taught us that the best way to understand the provision we offer, is for party leaders to visit the centre and discuss any requirements with the management team on site. We would encourage you to arrange a free visit for yourself and a guest with special needs to your chosen centre as early as possible in the planning process.

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

Kingswood’s support of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including learning difficulties, behavioural issues, hearing, visual or mobility impairment, can be found in the SEND document on the policies page of their website. Kingswood would encourage party leaders to contact the management team to arrange any SEND provisions.

Anything else?

- Programme tailored to suit your learning outcomes
- First aiders and NSPCC trained Child Safety Officer on site
- Institute for Outdoor Learning
- Founder member of BAPA
- Adventuremark badge
- SkillsBuilder Level 3 accreditation
- Quality Badge Holder, Learning Outside the Classroom
- School Travel Awards Winner 2022 - Best residential experience
- Specialist environmental field studies teaching
- Our pre and post-visit toolkit will help you link your trip to tangible learning outcomes
- Our experience experts will support you from start to finish
- Programmes link to the curriculum, from character education to revision strategies and Environmental Field Studies
- Launch trips with a whole host of digital resources
- Save on places with one free party leader place for every ten young people. The Kingswood Hardship Fund can also fully fund up to 2 in every 10 places. To find out more about this, visit the funding support section of our website or email the sales team
- Risk assessments and safeguarding materials are easily accessible
- Meet centre teams ahead of your trip and get to know your chosen centre

Who are Kingswood?

With 40 years of experience, we are experts in learning outside of the classroom.

A Kingswood trip offers a sense of adventure and a taste of independence; benefits which last way beyond a child’s return to the classroom. Our brilliant experiences for young people help them build confidence, resilience and skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Our award-winning programmes take place at 11 Inspiring Learning adventure centres across the UK and four chateaus in France. Whether visiting for a day or staying for a residential trip, our amazing team supports every young person to reach their full potential in a safe and fun environment.