South West England Activity Centres

Residential and day activities for schools

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Activities & Residentials South West England

Fun & educational outdoor activities and overnight stays



Enjoy a school residential in the South West of England

We can offer a range of trip types throughout the South West of England, from activity days to residential accommodation only. From multi activity and outdoor pursuits with professional instruction to watersports such as surfing or sailing. We also have a number of centres who specialise in environmental courses or other curriculum subjects. Please get in touch if you are looking for something specific!

On a visit to the South West of England, you are never far from the coast, and perhaps not surprising that among the many excellent residential activity centres we have chosen to feature on this page, a good number of them are at or near the seaside.

The region's oceanic climate, means mild winters, warm summers and a whole heap of rain. This allows activity centres to open and operate a much longer season than in more northern parts of the UK, where centres close for longer during the colder winters (view more residential school trips here)

The types of activities and outdoor pursuits available in this region are many and varied, though it is fair to say that watersports are well catered for! With easy access to such a large extent of natural coastal environments, children enjoying school activity trips in Cornwall and Devon, Dorset or Somerset, are likely to get the opportunity to experience activities such as sailing, sea kayaking, coasteering, surfing and waterskiing.

Short on time? Get some suggestions

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

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Popular school trip July 2025 !

Cornwall Art Tour

location icon School Trip South West
apple icon Subjects: History, Industrial, Victorian, Physical Education, Art, SEN, City Break


Take your students to a world-class artists region, home of the Tate, Barbara Hepworth and incredible landscapes shed in natural light - this is Cornwall.

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Cornwall Art Tour




Slapton Ley Field Centre
Slapton Ley Field Centre

Devon

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

Grittleton Manor House
Grittleton Manor House

Wiltshire

Grittleton House Adventure Centre is ideal for school groups wanting secure residential accommodation, set in acres of parkland and playing fields, on the edge of the Cotswold National Park. Access to Bath and Bristol is just half an hour away!

Encompass Training
Encompass Training

Devon

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

STEM School Trip to Cornwall with Equity
STEM School Trip to Cornwall with Equity

Cornwall

Home to the country’s longest coastline and boasting one of the sunniest climates in the UK, Cornwall is an ideal pick for your school’s next residential trip, with a plethora of activities to entertain and educate all ages.


Calvert Devon
Calvert Devon

Devon

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.

Andrew Simpson Centre Portland - Residential
Andrew Simpson Centre Portland - Residential

Dorset

Introduce your students to the watersports world a World-class venue, where better to learn to sail than the home for the London 2012 Olympic Games!

Mendip Activity Centre
Mendip Activity Centre

Somerset

School Activity Trips and Residential School Camps with Mendip Activity Centre, an outdoor activity provider setting the gold standard in adventure. With availability for 30 to 300 students, it's time for adventure!

Caldecotte Xperience
Caldecotte Xperience

Buckinghamshire

With some of the best facilities in the region, we offer school activity days or residential visits with a wide variety of outdoor activities for schools to choose from, on land and water and even some indoors.


Adventure Bristol Residential
Adventure Bristol Residential

Bristol

Unique and Engaging Outdoor Challenges for Pupils of All Ages! High Ropes | Bubble Football | Axe Throwing | Situation Survival

Cumulus Outdoors Tented Village - Corfe Castle
Cumulus Outdoors Tented Village - Corfe Castle

Dorset

Our exciting range of land and water based outdoor adventure activities take place at some of Dorset’s most iconic coastal locations and offer the unique opportunity to explore the stunning Jurassic Coastline whilst trying something new.

Braeside Residential Adventure Centre
Braeside Residential Adventure Centre

Wiltshire

Discover an amazing outdoor adventure centre nestled on the edge of the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire. Perfect for young adventurers seeking thrilling tailor-made educational programmes designed to challenge - in a warm, friendly homely environment.

Dorset - The Jurassic Coast
Dorset - The Jurassic Coast

Dorset

Discover the Jurassic Coast: an outdoor classroom brimming with adventure! Uncover millions of years of history, explore stunning cliffs, and engage in hands-on learning. Inspire your students with unforgettable experiences and create lasting memorie


Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage

Dorset

Tailored adventure residentials on the Dorset coast at our residential centre in Swanage, can include activities such as Coasteering, Climbing, Mackerel Fishing, Field Studies, and Bushcraft, delivered by our highly qualified instructors.

The Ultimate Adventure Centre
The Ultimate Adventure Centre

Devon

Discover Devon's top adventure destination, perfect for school trips. Enjoy high ropes, coasteering and team-building activities led by expert instructors. With safe accommodations and tailored programs, it's an unforgettable learning experience.

Bushcraft with the Field Studies Council
Bushcraft with the Field Studies Council

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
International Baccalaureate Diploma

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.


Land & Wave Adventure School Trips in Dorset
Land & Wave Adventure School Trips in Dorset

Dorset

We provide exciting adventure school trips, DofE and outdoor training courses. We specialise in authentic adventure, using incredible natural landscapes as the backdrop to our activities: Coasteering, Bushcraft, Beach Kayaking, Climbing, Archery etc

The Bushcraft Company - Badminton Woods
The Bushcraft Company - Badminton Woods

Gloucestershire

Not everything can be taught in a classroom. We believe that some of the most important life skills are best learned outside. Get back to basics with our real outdoor experiences and give your students the chance to grow.

Cornwall Art Tour
Cornwall Art Tour

Cornwall

Take your students to a world-class artists region, home of the Tate, Barbara Hepworth and incredible landscapes shed in natural light - this is Cornwall.

The Bioasis
The Bioasis

Devon

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.


Nettlecombe Court Field Centre
Nettlecombe Court Field Centre

Somerset

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.

Cornwall Tour
Cornwall Tour

Cornwall

Cornwall is a safe, accessible and inspiring location for school groups of all ages! Bursting with curriculum-based visits and activities, ranging from science and geography to art and design, what will your students discover?

Skern Lodge Residential Visits
Skern Lodge Residential Visits

Devon

Skern Lodge is one of the leading providers of outdoor learning and development in the UK. Offering a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities and geography fieldwork opportunities from its Centre on the North Devon coast.

Portland Outdoor Centre
Portland Outdoor Centre

Dorset

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.


Your Dorset Adventure Awaits!
Your Dorset Adventure Awaits!

Dorset

We arrange 100% bespoke adventure based residentials to Dorset and the Jurassic Coast. We can include transport, accommodation, activities, risk assessments and much more, saving you time and stress! Leave the work to us so you can focus on teaching

Activity and Watersports Trips to Spain with Equity
Activity and Watersports Trips to Spain with Equity

Devon

Home to breathtaking beaches and a beautiful climate and culture, groups can enjoy a wealth of outdoor activities along Spain's Costa Brava coastline including kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, stand up paddle boarding and more.

Residential Trip
Residential Trip

Devon

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.

Deanfield Outdoor Centre
Deanfield Outdoor Centre

Gloucestershire

Set in the beautiful Forest of Dean. High quality Outdoor Learning Courses both residentially (up to 84 students plus 10 staff) or as day visits up to 96 students. Very competitively priced and with excellent customer service.

Special Offers: South West

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

Creating Lasting Memories: Affordable School Trips with Cumulus
Residential School Trip Dorset

As teachers and parents, we all remember our own school trips and we want the same for our own children.

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Young People Love Learning When Learning Is So Much Fun!
Residential School Trip Dorset

Research supports the fact that children learn faster and more effectively when they are engaged in enjoyable and playful activities.

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Residential schools camps near the beach
Residential School Trip Devon

Residential school camps near the beach. Come and join us for a great week with watersports, archery, woodcrafts, survival trails and team c

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Bespoke Dorset-based Educational and Adventure Residentials
Residential School Trip Dorset

Education Destination are extending their popular service to cover Dorset, home of the stunning Jurassic Coast.

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