Outdoor Activity Centres Central England

Residential and day activities for schools

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Activities & Residentials Central England

Fun & educational outdoor activities and overnight stays



Completely landlocked and not a seagull for miles, Central England, also affectionately known as the Midlands, offers some of the best school journey centres in the country. There are still plenty of excellent lakes and rivers, water based activities are still plentiful, alongside bushcraft, outdoor rock climbing, and numerous other exciting and challenging land activities for school children to experience.

Central England and the East and West Midlands probably boasts more choice than any other UK region when it comes to outdoor activity centres. We believe this is due to the combination of great transport links, both rail and road, which allow large centres of population to quickly and easily access the types of rural areas that typically suit the location of an outdoor centre. Schools in the centre of Birmingham can be out into the fresh air of Shropshire in under and hour, while schools from Manchester, Leeds or Sheffield can access the southern Peak District just as quickly.

The southern extent of the Pennine hills dip into the Midlands and provide a great location for climbing and hill walking, while many of the larger residential centres have many acres of woodland and open space in which to run activities. Purpose built ropes courses, and other challenging activities are an ideal way to get your pupils to bond and develop outside the classroom. If you are struggling to find a good quality activity centre here in Central England, just give us a shout or visit our main residential trips page - we can definitely help you organise your school trip.

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Let us find the best value residential trips in the Midlands for your school trip.

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Popular school trip December 2025 !

Oaker Wood Leisure

location icon School Trip West Midlands
apple icon Subjects: Physical Education, SEN, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife, Accommodation Only


Woodland Outdoor Activity centre with 2 Glamping Villages which can be booked by schools for exclusive use. Sleep up to 160 in Glamping Pods. Catered or self catered. High Ropes, Low Ropes, Team Building, Rafting, Zip Wire, Paintball, Target Shooting

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Oaker Wood Leisure
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St Michaels Environmental Education Centre
St Michaels Environmental Education Centre
map pin East Midlands

Choose from a selection of Adventure walks, and discover local history and geography: Stanage Edge Padley Chapel Bole Hill Quarry Eyam Castleton Hope Or enjoy a shorter local walk, a favourite is a visit to Thorpe Farm to try the local ice cream!
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Willersley Castle
Willersley Castle
map pin East Midlands

Enjoy a range of challenging outdoor pursuits within the 65 acre estate, Willersley Castle - once the home of Industrial Revolution's Richard Arkwright.
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Thornbridge Outdoors
Thornbridge Outdoors
map pin East Midlands

A residential visit to Thornbridge Outdoors offers a dynamic extension of the PE curriculum, encouraging pupils to develop physical skills, confidence, and a love for movement surrounded by nature in...
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Beaudesert Activity Centre
Beaudesert Activity Centre
map pin West Midlands

We can provide a range of levels of Climbing and High Ropes activities, Zip Wire and Via Feratta, Archery, Axe Throwing, sit on kayaks, Coracles, Orienteering and many other fantastic sessions. Our...
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Culmington Manor
Culmington Manor
map pin West Midlands

Culmington Manor is Manor Adventure's flagship outdoor pursuits centre, based in the heart of the South Shropshire countryside. Experience and enjoy more than 35 adventurous activities on our 100 acre estate. Click to find out why we are so popular
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Oaker Wood Leisure
Oaker Wood Leisure
map pin West Midlands

We offer tailor made itineraries from our diverse range of adventurous activities including High Ropes, Low Ropes, Rafting, Pizza Making, Den Building, Target Shooting, It's a Knock Out, Quad Bike...
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Frank Chapman Outdoor Education Centre
Frank Chapman Outdoor Education Centre
map pin West Midlands

A reflective approach to activity sessions enables young people to become confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. They'll develop relationships, make decisions and...
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Mount Cook
Mount Cook
map pin East Midlands

Located just outside the Peak District National Park, we have fantastic access into the surrounding countryside which includes woodlands, historical trails, quarries, caves and reservoirs. With the...
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The Bushcraft Company - Boughton Woods
The Bushcraft Company - Boughton Woods
map pin East Midlands

Students work in smaller groups of around 15 students, aiming to encourage communication and inclusion. The activities are designed so the students work collaboratively to achieve the end goal and...
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Prehistoric Britain
Prehistoric Britain
map pin East Midlands

“Step back in time and imagine you are all part of a Stone Age hunter gatherer tribe living 10,000 years ago. In order to survive this rich yet hostile landscape you must start your journey on...
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Walesby Forest
Walesby Forest
map pin East Midlands

We help to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding that pupils need to play a full part in society as active and responsible citizens. Many of our activities require students to cooperate,...
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Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre
Ingestre Hall Residential Arts Centre
map pin West Midlands

Our delivery combines a learning outcome with a theme that acts as a stimulus. With a theme of your choice, the participants will explore a topic and create something original based on (for example) British Values, or a set of school values.
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Edgmond Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning
Edgmond Hall Centre for Outdoor Learning
map pin West Midlands

The group will dig our archaeology area, unearthing all kinds of artefacts linking to the period they are studying. By the end of the session, children will: 1. be able to link the artefacts...
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Crowden Outdoor Education Centre
Crowden Outdoor Education Centre
map pin East Midlands

We have designed a programme to support pupils understanding of maths, through practical application within an outdoor learning environment. The use of outdoor learning will help students to build...
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Ackers Adventure Residential centre
Ackers Adventure Residential centre
map pin West Midlands

If you would like to include Maths as an outcome then why not Measure and calculate the length of our Ski slope or Zip wire then calculate the speed of descent, Alternatively collect the scores from an Archery session and then manipulate the data back in the class room.
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Rock UK - Frontier Centre
Rock UK - Frontier Centre
map pin East Midlands

With over 25 instructed activities on offer, including Aerial adventure, kayaking, archery and fencing. Residential breaks at Frontier Centre promotes healthy and active lifestyles for all ages and...
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Big School Camp North
Big School Camp North
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

Big School Camps model to impacts greatly on each individual child’s ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make appropriate choices about their physical health and...
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Big School Camp South
Big School Camp South
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

1. Feral Science deliver Wildlife sessions based on curriculum Biology from Upper KS2 to GCSE outdoors 2. We use a range of outdoor skills and bushcraft to reveal the curriculum science behind...
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Big School Camp Midlands
Big School Camp Midlands
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

Big School Camps model to impacts greatly on each individual child’s ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make appropriate choices about their physical health and...
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YHA St Briavels Castle
YHA St Briavels Castle
map pin West Midlands

Over 800 years old, YHA St Briavels Castle has got a real wow factor, with bags of character and a magical charm perfect for a school residential.
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Special Offers: Midlands

Want to make your Midlands activity trip even better value? Here are a few of the best deals currently on offer to schools visiting PlanMySchoolTrip!

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Exciting Upgrades at Walesby Forest's Tented Village
Residential School Trip Nottinghamshire

We’re delighted to share some fantastic news from Walesby Forest! Our much-loved Tented Village is getting a significant upgrade, bringing even more comfort and versatility.

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The Importance of Teaching Skills in the Outdoors
Residential School Trip Shropshire

As a teacher I reflect on both the good and bad learning experiences I have received to develop an effective learning plan when I teach.

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Outdoor Education: Empowering Children with SEND
Residential School Trip Staffordshire

Peak’s Development Programme offers children with SEND a barrier-free, outdoor learning experience that builds confidence and engagement.

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Amazing Autumn Residentials at Mount Cook Adventure Centre
Residential School Trip Derbyshire

There are loads of reasons to start your school year with a residential to Mount Cook Adventure Centre

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