Ackers Adventure Residential centre School Trip
Birmingham B11 2PY
Residential Trip Residentials West Midlands
Stay, Play, and Explore at AckersAckers Adventure offers a 26-bed self-catering residential centre, perfect for schools, groups, and organisations. You can book the centre on its own or let us create a tailored activity package to challenge and inspire your students during the day.
We cater for everything from full-day adventure packages - including climbing, canoeing, zip wires, and more - to one-off activities.
Looking for something different? Spend a full day on our fantastic dry ski slope for ski lessons, enjoy a morning on the water helping the environment by fishing for rubbish and plastic in the Grand Union Canal, and finish your visit with a fun round of disc golf on our nine-hole woodland course.
We offer a diverse range of activities designed for all interests, abilities including SEND and age groups from 6+.
Our comfortable residential centre provides a convenient and welcoming base for your stay - whether you're joining us for a single day or a longer adventure.
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits LOtC Quality Badge Institute of Outdoor Learning Adventure Mark Paddle UK Centre
What activities are available during educational visits in 2026?
Curriculum-Linked Outdoor Learning at Ackers Adventure
At Ackers Adventure, we offer a wide range of activities that align with curriculum subjects and educational programmes, which can be adapted to support current topics and learning outcomes.
We can deliver:
GCSE PE modules in Climbing and Paddling
Primary Orienteering sessions
Snowlife Awards
Paddle Awards
Our experienced instructors tailor each session to meet the specific needs of your group - whether the focus is on team building, skill development, or personal challenge.
We provide all necessary equipment to ensure a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience for every participant.
With a wide variety of outdoor facilities and adventure activities, Ackers Adventure is the perfect choice for educational visits, combining hands-on learning with unforgettable fun.
At Ackers Adventure, we offer a wide range of activities that align with curriculum subjects and educational programmes, which can be adapted to support current topics and learning outcomes.
We can deliver:
GCSE PE modules in Climbing and Paddling
Primary Orienteering sessions
Snowlife Awards
Paddle Awards
Our experienced instructors tailor each session to meet the specific needs of your group - whether the focus is on team building, skill development, or personal challenge.
We provide all necessary equipment to ensure a safe, supportive, and enjoyable experience for every participant.
With a wide variety of outdoor facilities and adventure activities, Ackers Adventure is the perfect choice for educational visits, combining hands-on learning with unforgettable fun.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Physical Education School Trip
Climbing Canoeing Orienteering Archery Kayaking
Click to read full text Personalised Outdoor Learning and Skills Development
At Ackers Adventure, we offer a wide range of outdoor activities that can be customised to meet your specific needs and goals.
Whether you're looking to complete a GCSE course in Climbing or achieve national governing body awards in Canoeing or Skiing, our experienced instructors have the expertise to guide you every step of the way.
Passionate about sharing their knowledge, our instructors focus on helping each participant develop skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential. With an emphasis on safety, learning, and enjoyment, we ensure every experience at Ackers Adventure is both rewarding and memorable.
Bushcraft School Trip
Click to read full text Bushcraft and Outdoor Exploration at Ackers Adventure
Our Bushcraft instructors are passionate about creating immersive, memorable outdoor experiences for students. Through hands-on activities such as fire lighting, campfires, den and shelter building, and essential survival skills, students are fully engaged in the wonders of the natural world. The beautiful surroundings beside the Grand Union Canal provide the perfect setting for these adventures.
In addition to the canal, Ackers Adventure offers access to three distinct water environments - the River Cole, the Sparkbrook, and a pond ideal for species comparison and observation. During early spring, visitors can often spot parent geese caring for their goslings along the canal, offering a unique opportunity to connect with local wildlife.
Our woodland wilderness area is also home to a disc golf course, giving students a fun and active way to explore and interact with nature while developing teamwork and coordination skills.
Watersports School Trip
Kayaking Canoeing Bell Boats
Click to read full text Get on the Water with Ackers Adventure
As a British Canoeing Approved Centre, we can get you out on the water in canoes, kayaks, or bell boats - whether you're looking for a fun introductory session or want to work towards an official British Canoeing Paddle Award.
Why not even complete your Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition by canoe and make it a truly unforgettable experience?
What we offer:
🛶 All Equipment Provided
We supply everything you need - paddles, buoyancy aids, and helmets - ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable session.
👩🏫 Expert Instruction
Our qualified and experienced instructors provide professional guidance for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced paddlers.
🌊 Ideal Learning Environment
With access to our Canal Basin and the Grand Union Canal, beginners can start in a calm, safe area before progressing onto the open canal as their confidence grows.
💪 Health & Wellbeing
Paddling is a fantastic way to stay active, boost fitness, and enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors.
🤝 Perfect for Groups & Teams
Canoeing and kayaking are brilliant for team-building, school trips, and corporate groups, encouraging communication, cooperation, and shared achievement.
🏅 British Canoeing Paddle Awards
Take your skills to the next level with structured awards that help you learn, develop, and progress at your own pace.
Team Building School Trip
Click to read full text Team Building at Ackers Adventure
At Ackers Adventure, we offer a range of exciting team building activities designed to promote leadership, communication, and collaboration while fostering a positive and confident learning environment.
Our activities include:
🧩 Collaborative Problem-Solving Challenges
Work together to tackle creative tasks that encourage teamwork, communication, and critical thinking.
🤝 Trust-Building Activities
Strengthen bonds through exercises such as trust falls and blindfolded obstacle courses that build mutual respect and confidence.
💚 Community & Volunteer Projects
Take part in rewarding community service experiences that promote social responsibility and team spirit.
🏞️ Outdoor Adventures
Engage in orienteering, climbing, watersports, and skiing - all designed to enhance problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills.
🏗️ Creative Building Challenges
Build towers, bridges, or other structures using limited resources to encourage innovation and collaboration under pressure.
🏆 Team Competitions
Participate in friendly group activities that promote healthy competition, motivation, and unity.
Forest School School Trip
Forest School Experience
At Ackers Adventure, we also offer a Forest School experience for children, designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning in nature. Led by our skilled instructors, children take part in a variety of outdoor activities such as den building, fire lighting, nature crafts, and wildlife exploration.
Our Forest School sessions encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental awareness - all within the safe and inspiring surroundings of our woodland and canal-side areas. It's the perfect way for children to learn, grow, and connect with the natural world.
What size groups do we cater for?
Our Residential centre sleeps MAX 26 but we can accommodate many more for a day visit with activities.
On-site classroom facilities?
We have a number of rooms available that can be used as classroom, meeting spaces and indoor eating areas.
Is there first aid on site?
All of our Instructing staff have a relevant first aid qualification, we also have 2 defibrillators on site.
Access for visitors with disabilities
Yes we have recently been improving our offering for Disabled groups we now have 2 Wheelchairs specifically for either wheelchair Abseiling or getting around the site, we can also offer Archery and depending on the disability of the student, Bellboating is very popular. The residential centre has a lift for disabled access.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
We have also been working with more Special Educational needs groups or individuals and love to tailor our activities to make them work. We currently have a number of SEN schools who visit us on a weekly basis for their PE lessons.
Spending time outdoors can have numerous benefits for students with special educational needs. Our expertise in creating outdoor spaces that are accessible and engaging can help SEN schools provide their students with unique opportunities to learn and grow.
Creating outdoor learning spaces that are safe and inclusive.
Incorporating team-building activities that promote confidence and socialisation.
Providing equipment and resources that are suitable for students with a range of abilities.
Ensuring that outdoor spaces are well-maintained and sustainable.
Collaborating with school staff to tailor activities to the needs and interests of their students.
Supporting schools in developing outdoor programs that align with their curriculum and learning goals.
By working together, we can help SEN schools unlock the potential of their outdoor activity program and provide their students with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
Spending time outdoors can have numerous benefits for students with special educational needs. Our expertise in creating outdoor spaces that are accessible and engaging can help SEN schools provide their students with unique opportunities to learn and grow. Here are some ways we can help:
Creating outdoor learning spaces that are safe and inclusive.
Incorporating team-building activities that promote confidence and socialisation.
Providing equipment and resources that are suitable for students with a range of abilities.
Ensuring that outdoor spaces are well-maintained and sustainable.
Collaborating with school staff to tailor activities to the needs and interests of their students.
Supporting schools in developing outdoor programs that align with their curriculum and learning goals.
By working together, we can help SEN schools unlock the potential of their outdoor activity program and provide their students with valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.
Who are Ackers Adventure?
Ackers Adventure is a unique and exciting charity offering a wide range of outdoor activities for people of all ages, abilities, and disabilities.
Set across 75 acres of diverse landscapes and habitats right in the heart of Birmingham, our centre is a hidden urban oasis overlooking the city - the perfect place to escape, explore, and enjoy adventure in the great outdoors.
Here's just a taste of what we offer:
🎿 Skiing - Take to our 100-metre ski slope, complete with nursery slopes ideal for beginners, as well as space for more experienced skiers to hone their skills.
🌀 Tubing - Slip and slide down our main slope in donut-style tubes for the ultimate adrenaline experience.
🛷 Tobogganing - Experience the thrill of our 25-metre toboggan slope, great fun for children and adults alike.
🧗 Climbing - Challenge yourself on three climbing walls catering to a range of abilities and goals.
⚡ High Ropes & Tower Adventures - Conquer our 20-metre-high tower, featuring a zip wire and fan descender for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
🏠 Residential Accommodation - Stay on site in our fully equipped, self-catering centre, ideal for schools, youth groups, and extended adventure stays.
🌊 Water Sports - Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and bell boating on our scenic canal basin, connected to the Grand Union Canal.
🎯 Archery - Take aim on one of our two archery ranges, suitable for beginners and experienced archers.
🤝 Team Building - Strengthen teamwork and communication with engaging challenges in our dedicated team-building field.
🔥 Bushcraft & Survival Skills - Learn essential outdoor skills in our bushcraft survival zone, designed for hands-on learning and exploration.
At Ackers Adventure, we are passionate about making outdoor experiences accessible to everyone. Whether you're visiting for a single activity, a fun-filled day, or a residential stay, our friendly and experienced instructors will ensure you have a safe, inclusive, and unforgettable adventure.
Located just two miles from Birmingham city centre, we're easy to reach by car or public transport - so your next adventure is closer than you think!
Come and join us for an adventure you'll never forget!
Teacher Checklist
Risk Assessments Inspection Visits LOtC Quality Badge Institute of Outdoor Learning Adventure Mark Paddle UK Centre
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