Seasonal Outdoor Education
Low Season & Off Peak Savings
Does your school always run their residential trip between the SATs and the end of the summer term? The weather is reliable and a week away from school may have less impact on the timetable at this time of year, but you will pay a premium! Most activity centres could sell May, June and July many times over as this is when the vast majority of schools run their activity weeks. If you are able to look at other times during the year, you will have a wider choice of venues and the cost of your trip is likely to be significantly lower. The venues below are just a sample of the types of savings you can make on your outdoor education residential. Use the purple form below to let us know about your trip and we will help you get the best prices. Or visit our residential school trips page to search by location.
Why should you consider other times of year?
Helping schools organise their outdoor education experiences, we are increasingly aware of how many schools are restricted in what they can offer their pupils because of funding. Whether the schools are unable to contribute to the cost because of cuts to budgets, or they are severely limited on how much they can expect parents to pay, prohibitive costs can prevent trips from taking place and is the main reason children are unable to take part in an outdoor education experience.
What some schools may not realise is how much the cost is affected by the time they are looking to travel. In the same way you will pay a lot more for your villa in the Algarve during August when the owner could let out the property many times over, if you get in early enough to book a week at a residential centre in early July, they price you will be asked for will be significantly more than if you were to try to book the same trip in April or October.
Being flexible with the dates of your outdoor education experience is a great way to bring down the average cost per pupil. We have included some examples of savings below, but ask us about any outdoor education trip and we'll help you get the best price for your group.
Encompass Training
South West 
Accommodation Only, Geography, Physical Geography, Physical Education, Watersports
Nestled in the heart of rural Devon, Encompass Training is located at the historic Grade I Great Potheridge House. We specialize in offering sole occupancy, a diverse range of high-quality outdoor education activities, delivered by experienced staff
Flatford Mill field centre
East of England History, Celts, Georgian, Romans, Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Team Building, Wildlife
Visit Flatford Mill field centre for fun residential geography and biology trips at all ages. The centre was our first field study centre set up during the 1940’s, set amidst quintessentially English countryside of the Dedham Vale in Suffolk.
Blencathra FIeld Centre
North West Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Geology, Team Building, Wildlife
Blencathra occupies a dramatic setting at 300m up the south facing slope of Blencathra with an unparalleled panorama across the Lake District National Park. Visit for residential geography and biology trips at all ages.
Margam Discovery Centre
Wales History, Celts, Romans, Tudors, Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Wildlife
Visit this centre set in the Margam Country Park, surrounded by beautiful parkland to explore. With easy access to a wide variety of field sites it is an excellent base for fun outdoor activities, geography and biology trips at all ages.
Juniper Hall Field Centre
London & South East Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Team Building, Wildlife
Located in Surrey, Juniper Hall field centre is easy to reach but surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Box Hill. Visit for fun filled residential outdoor activity, geography and biology trips for all ages.
Millport Field Centre
Scotland Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Physical Education, Team Building, Wildlife
Field Studies Council Millport has purpose-built accommodation and teaching spaces which provide an excellent base for a range of courses. Just 10 minutes by ferry from the mainland. Great base for fun outdoor activities, biology and geography trips.
Rhyd-y-creuau Field Centre
Wales Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Physical Education, Team Building, Wildlife
Rhyd-y-creuau field centre is set in the beautiful, rugged landscape of the Snowdonia National Park, making it an inspiring and fun location for your school geography, biology or primary school trip.
Adventure Residential Trips
Wales Bushcraft, Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Education, Science, Biology, Watersports, Wildlife
TYF offers a wide of range of outdoor activities, courses and workshops for school groups of all ages. The main mission is to inspire students to enjoy adventures connected to nature and the environment on an exciting school trip.
Adventure Beyond
Wales Bushcraft, Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife
Unleash the power of adventure education that inspires health, well-being, and a love for the environment. Spark student curiosity with exciting trips that challenge minds, build teamwork, and explore the wonders of nature. Make memories for life.
Preston Montford Field Centre
West Midlands History, Industrial, Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Geology, Team Building, Wildlife
Preston Montford has easy access to a wide range of sites from the South Shropshire Hills AONB, to Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site, Ludlow, Birmingham and Snowdonia. Visit for fun outdoor activities, geography and biology trips at all ages.
Castle Head FIeld Centre
North West Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife
With easy access to both the coastline of Morecambe Bay, the glaciated uplands of the southern Lake District and the lakes of Windermere and Coniston, FSC Castle Head is ideally situated for a wide range of field studies and adventurous activities.
Benmore Outdoor Centre
Scotland Physical Education, Watersports, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies
19th Century listed manor house set in Benmore Botanic garden grounds, sleeps 120 young people. Located in Loch Lomond National Park in Argyll, our adventure education residentials provide inspirational outdoor learning experiences for schools
Bushcraft with the Field Studies Council
All UK Regions Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Wildlife
Experience amazing outdoor locations at Field Studies Council’s network of UK Centres. Our courses are all focused on students being immersed in the natural world. They also make use of the beautiful surroundings including using bushcraft skills.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
All UK Regions Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Fieldstudies
Residential fieldwork created specifically for International Baccalaureate Diploma students in geography, biology and ESS. Field Studies Council has a network of UK Centres to choose from, many with easy transport links for UK and major airports.
Slapton Ley Field Centre
South West Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Wildlife
Slapton Ley Field Centre is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to field sites in Dartmoor National Park and urban centres in Plymouth and Torbay. Visit for residential geography and biology trips at all ages
Nettlecombe Court Field Centre
South West History, Medieval, Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Wildlife
Field Studies Council Nettlecombe Court has excellent access to the Somerset coast as well as Exmoor National Park and The Quantocks Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit for fun outdoor activities, geography and biology trips at all ages.
Dale Fort FIeld Centre
Wales Science, Biology, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Geology, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife
Dale Fort is set in a spectacular location high on the cliffs within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, giving superb views over the sea. It has access to a wide range of sites for biology, geography and adventure activities at all ages.
The Bioasis
South West Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Geography, Environmental Geography, Physical Education, Biology, Sustainability, Team Building, Science
Adventure and Positive Environmental Impact Await Your School's Next Residential Trip! Unlike other school residential trips, we flip the script by creating positive growth in students' development and education.
Benmore Outdoor Centre
Scotland Physical Education, Watersports, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies
19th Century listed manor house set in Benmore Botanic garden grounds, sleeps 120 young people. Located in Loch Lomond National Park in Argyll, our adventure education residentials provide inspirational outdoor learning experiences for schools
Hedley House Hotel Ltd
Yorkshire Accommodation Only, Archaeology, City Break, History, Local History, Vikings
Hedley House is a family-run City center hotel in York, offering comfy ensuite rooms. Enjoy hearty breakfasts, pack lunches and home cooked evening meals. Close to the station, city center, & riverside walks. Safe, reliable & friendly for school trip
Benmore Outdoor Centre
Scotland Physical Education, Watersports, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies
19th Century listed manor house set in Benmore Botanic garden grounds, sleeps 120 young people. Located in Loch Lomond National Park in Argyll, our adventure education residentials provide inspirational outdoor learning experiences for schools
Benmore Outdoor Centre
Scotland Physical Education, Watersports, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies
19th Century listed manor house set in Benmore Botanic garden grounds, sleeps 120 young people. Located in Loch Lomond National Park in Argyll, our adventure education residentials provide inspirational outdoor learning experiences for schools
Calvert Devon
South West Bushcraft, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports
Calvert Exmoor is an accessible activity centre in North Devon for students with learning, physical, behavioural, sensory or multiple complex disabilities. We accommodate all classroom types with a specialism in SEN and disabled students.
Residential Trip
South West Archaeology, Bushcraft, Physical Education, SEN, Watersports
Residential Activity Camps. We offer activity camps including paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and surfing (depending upon conditions). On land we offer high ropes, archery tag, woodcraft, circus skills and team challenges. Home cooked food.
Calvert Devon
South West Bushcraft, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports
Calvert Exmoor is an accessible activity centre in North Devon for students with learning, physical, behavioural, sensory or multiple complex disabilities. We accommodate all classroom types with a specialism in SEN and disabled students.
Portland Outdoor Centre
South West Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Physical Education, Team Building, Watersports
A stunning coastal playground, comfortable accommodation and great food. All the ingredients for a great trip! The Isle of Portland, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site makes us perfect for adventurous and educational residential trips.
Conway Centres Anglesey
Wales Accommodation Only, Art, Bushcraft, English, Fieldstudies, Geography, Environmental Geography, History, Local History, Music, Performing Arts, Dance, Physical Education, Science, Biology, SEN, Watersports, Wildlife, Forest School
With direct access to the Menai Strait the venue offers both challenging Outdoor Activities & Creative/Performing Arts opportunities. Set in 169 acres there are an extensive range of on-site activities that last 3hrs so are as productive as possible.
Mount Cook
East Midlands Bushcraft, Geology, History, Prehistory, Romans, Vikings, SEN, Wildlife
Mount Cook is a not-for-profit Adventure Centre dedicated to providing exciting outdoor adventurous activities and outdoor learning opportunities for KS2 to KS4 at the edge of the Peak District.
Outdoor education forms and important part of school life for the majority of pupils, with most school age children being given the opportunity to go on a residential school trip at least once during their primary and secondary education.
If we look at our own data from working with thousands of school over the past five years, the majority of schools take their Year 6 children on an outdoor pursuits trip or something similar. This is usually as a reward for the end of exams or a goodbye for their final year at Primary school. In Year 7 schools take pupils on a residential as a way of welcoming them to Secondary school.
The expected outcomes include through team building and bonding, and the development of social skills and confidence. The majority of these trips last for 5 days and run Monday to Friday. The final trend we'll mention is the time of year that these trips are taken. Primary schools overwhelmingly opt for the summer term following the SATs exams, while Secondary schools cluster around the first few weeks in September.
There are, however, plenty of schools who's circumstances do not fit this mould, and who are looking for something different from their outdoor educational experience.
Why do residential trips cluster in May, June, July and September?
We already mentioned SATs for Year 6, but this summer term exam period is also mirrored in secondary schools. While Year 7 children are not necessarily taking exams themselves, many schools take the opportunity to keep the rest of the school out of the way during the GCSE period and taking groups away on a residential trip during this time may kill two birds with one stone. Another factor is the weather; the summer months less likely to deposit wet and windy weather on you if you are camping in a field or at least spending most of the day outside doing activities.
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