Willersley Castle Outdoor Pursuits

by Manor Adventure
published 27 September 2021

Derbyshire Peak District

Hugging the edge of Wild Cat Tor, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, is the former estate of the Industrial Revolution's Sir Richard Arkwright. The castellated Manor house dominates sixty acres of fields and woodlands and forms the perfect location for outdoor activities in the east Midlands.

This part of Derbyshire is known as the White Peak; an area of relatively low-lying Limestone plateau and river-cut valleys. The estate feels incredibly rural, with its acres of dense woodland, and a leisurelyloop of the River Derwent which encloses the site on three sides. Midway between the town Chesterfield and the city of Derby, Willersley Castle has excellent access via the nearby M1 motorway.

Manor Adventure will begin taking school groups at their new Willersley Castle outdoor pursuits centre after Easter 2022. School groups of up to 200 pupils will be able to choose betweenstaying in Mews accommodation, a series of tented villages, or even inside the grand castle itself.

Outdoor Pursuits for every child

Activities on offer include many of the tried and tested favourites that have made Manor Adventure's brand of outdoor education so popular with school groups since the 1990s. Highly qualified instructors take small groups through a safety talk before each of the five one and a half hour outdoor pursuits that they will experience every day during their adventure!

Will you conquer Willersley Castle High Ropes course? Show Robin Hood-esque prowess on the Archery ranges? Or show superb hand eye coordination on the Rifle range? Test yourself on our climbing wall, work as a team on the crate stacking challenge, and experience the exciting world of potholing. For those who like getting wet, the meandering River Derwent on our doorstep provides the perfect location to experience canoeing and kayaking in the safe hands of our British Canoe Union qualified staff. With the majority of activities taking place within the grounds of Willersley Castle, you will spend less time travelling between activities and more time enjoying them.

School groups visiting Willersley Castle can choose from our four tailored courses, each with a different focus, and designed to challenge every child's self-confidence and sense of personal achievement. Our courses will develop social skills, team-building, leadership and problem solving.