The Manor House School Trips
The Manor House Acvitity and Development Centre
Home / Residentials South West / Cornwall
The Manor House team aims to provide the best quality adventure activity (or Field Study) break possible in an amazing environment. We use natural venues throughout Cornwall to ensure pupils and teachers have the greatest experience.
We encourage participation by all members of the group, regardless of their ability, to ensure that each person achieves a level of achievement on each activity. We introduce groups to new and exciting activities and help each individual to discover talents they never knew they had!
The Manor House is a Grade II listed building, providing comfortable accommodation with a lovely family feeling. Groups are accommodated in a variety of bedrooms throughout the house with plenty of shower rooms dotted around. Single and twin rooms are available for the accompanying teachers.
We have two spacious dining rooms and meals are prepared fresh every day by our Chef. He caters for all special diets to ensure everyone enjoys wonderful, hot meals each day.
The majority of our school groups return year after year (some for 20+ years!) because of the quality of the trips we provide and the personalised service we give for each and every trip.
Why are The Manor House Acvitity and Development Centre great for School Trips and Educational Visits?
At The Manor House we provide a first rate personal service to help you plan and make arrangements for the trip. Lesley is always available on the phone or via email to support you in any way possible. All of the activities on your personalised itinerary are planned by us and visits booked for you, so that much of the pressure is taken off your shoulders.
Our activities are second to none!
You can enjoy activities such as Surfing, Body Boarding, Kayaking (on the estuary or the sea!), Stand Up Paddleboarding, Sea Cliff Climbing, Mountain Biking and Coastal/Moorland Walks to name a few, with evening activities like Beach Bonfire and toasting Marshmallows, Team Dynamics, Team Games! You can be sure that your trip will be filled with exciting adventures!
Each of our itineraries are tailor-made to suit each groups aims and objectives. We discuss in great detail with you the alternative activities to ensure you are completely happy with the plan.
Our small team ensures that you will see the same group of instructors throughout your stay, with whom you will build a rapport very quickly. They will support you throughout the trip to ensure that you understand what will happen each day and are ready for all the activities.
The children too will get to know the Instructors (and vice versa) and they will also develop good strong and supportive relationships, which will give the children the confidence to excel at each activity and fully reach their potential.
Our Instructors are highly qualified in many different activities and they all hold first aid certificates and carry first aid kits with them at all times. They are all aged 21years or over and are full PCV qualified to drive the minibuses. They are all DBS checked and have undergone our full induction program too.
What activities are available during group visits?
Full activity programmes may include activities listed here:
Surfing
Body Boarding
Kayaking (on the estuary or the sea!)
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Sea Cliff Climbing
Mountain Biking
Coastal Walks
Moorland Walks
Beach Bonfire and toasting Marshmallows
Team Dynamics
Team Games
Beach games
Crab Fishing
Visits to places of interest such as:
Eden Project
Blue Reef Aquarium
Dame Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden and museum
Tate Gallery St Ives
Field Studies can also be provided where we can facilitate sessions to include:
Rock pool studies
Weathering and coastal erosions
Moorland Habitat/Studies
This is a basic list and there are more ideas for studies and activities to include on our schools pages of our website!
What size groups do you cater for?
We can accommodate up to 64 people in the Manor House, although most groups are between 25 and 45 plus the accompanying staff. Activity groups are much smaller to allow high instructor student ratios.
Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?
Classroom / meeting room facilities are available within the Manor House with interactive whiteboard and laptop computer. There are also flip charts and other facilities available.
Is there first aid on site?
All of the Manor House Instructor Team are first aid qualified. The team carry first aid kits wherever they go and there are first aid kist available within the house too.
Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?
Not really, but please call Lesley to discuss any special needs you have as we may be able to accommodate.
Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?
Yes
Anything else?
The Manor House has been owned and run by Steve and Lesley Kirk for the last 16 years and they are still very much involved in the business.
Lesley manages all the enquiries and 'office' work whilst Steve manages the outdoor activities and regularly attends sessions to ensure quality is maintained for the visiting groups.
Lesley, Steve and the Team are passionate about providing high quality, life changing experiences for everyone who comes to Manor House!
Special rates for schools
staying with us outside of peak season
Prices from £78 per day
During September and October enjoy a 15% price reduction on our residential activity trips.
The same trip just cheaper in the Autumn Term!
The trip can be 1 night to 7 nights and any length in between and include as many of the activities as we can pack in.
Activities could include: surfing, mountain biking / off road cycling, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, sea cliff climbing body boarding, guided walks and visits to many sites and venues around Cornwall. We could combine some Field Study with the Adventurous Activities too!
Call or Email Lesley for more information!
Teacher Checklist 
 | Risk Assessments | ||
| Inspection Visits | ||
| Free Places for Teachers | ||
| Resource Packs | ||
| LOtC Quality Badge | ||
| AALA Licence | ||
| Institute of Outdoor Learning | ||
| ABTA Licence | ||
| Adventure Mark | ||
| Adventure Activity Associates | ||
| RYA Centre | ||
| BCU Centre |
UK Location 
★★★★★ Adrian Hathaway, Bishop's Stortford College Prep School
"As a school who have been going to The Manor House for more than fifteen years, I would have no hesitation in recommending others to visit. As we go out of term time, the trip is voluntary for our Year Six pupils. The uptake is normally about 90% of the year group and this in itself speaks for the popularity with both parents and pupils, who have great confidence in The Manor House and the excellent service provided. As with all outdoor activities, safety is a major priority. The Manor House Team take this seriously, ensuring that all pupils are given a thorough briefing before undertaking any activity as well as monitoring the pupils closely during the activity. However, they don’t forget the importance of having fun as well and achieve the balance between these two effectively. Pupils come back more independent, having tried new activities that may not have been within their comfort zone. The confidence they gain from being away from home, but within a nurtured and safe environment is very clear to both staff and parents alike.
A quote from a pupil who went last year – ‘The trip was a great way to make new friends and to build confidence – the best school trip I have ever been on.’
"
★★★★★ Tracy Handford , Dame Bradbury's
"I have been organizing school residential trips to the Manor House for many years. As a school leader my priority for the pupils I take is ensuring their safety whilst providing an experience which is genuinely enriching, challenging and fun and without exception the Manor House delivers on this. Parents and pupils alike year on year rave about the experience and the positive impact it has on personal development. "
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