Outdoor Adventure School Residential Trips in Dorset

school children enjoying waterpark at culumus centre in dorset

Located just 10 minutes’ walk from the beach, Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre offers stunning views over Swanage Bay and easy access to the Jurassic Coast. The centre welcomes primary and secondary school groups for fun, educational residential trips. With dormitory and bungalow accommodation for up to 139 people, plus seven acres of private grounds, it’s the perfect base for adventure. The centre works with you to create bespoke outdoor activity programmes or field studies trips, tailored to your group’s needs. Expect a mix of exciting off-site adventures, great food, and comfortable facilities — all delivered to a high standard.

Bespoke Activity Programmes for Schools

We offer tailored activity programmes designed to meet your school’s learning outcomes — whether it’s a reward trip, an educational visit, or a programme that supports a specific curriculum topic.


🎯 Tailored to Your Needs

  • Programmes can focus on education, adventure, or a mix of both

  • Choose from 3-day or 5-day residentials

  • Option to combine field studies and outdoor activities

  • Self-led visits available during the quieter shoulder months

  • A dedicated Programme Administrator works with you to create the ideal trip


🌍 Perfect for Field Studies

Located on the stunning Jurassic Coast, we’re ideally placed for physical geography topics. Key nearby landmarks include:

  • Old Harry Rocks

  • Durdle Door

  • Lulworth Cove

We deliver a range of field study activities tailored to curriculum needs.


📝 Planning & Support

  • Clear documentation provided well in advance

  • Schools Administration Officer assists with all bookings and paperwork

  • Help available for completing required forms

  • Access our secure online portal for:

    • Risk assessments

    • Accreditation certificates

    • Insurance documents


Accreditations & Safety

We’re fully accredited to deliver safe, high-quality school visits. Our credentials include:

  • AALA Licence

  • LOtC Quality Badge

  • Adventure Mark

  • Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider

  • BAPA Membership

All certifications are regularly assessed and up to date.


🛏️ Secure Sites & Facilities

  • Secure, gated residential site and tented village camps

  • Comfortable accommodation with high safety standards

  • All meals freshly cooked on site daily

  • Ingredients sourced from local suppliers

  • All dietary requirements (medical & cultural) catered for


🤝 Trusted Local Partnerships

To enhance your trip, we work with a number of fantastic local providers:

  • Dorset Adventure Park

  • Swanage Sea Fishing

  • National Trust – Corfe Castle

  • Swanage Steam Railway

These partnerships help us offer a rich and varied experience for all groups.


💸 Help with Funding

We understand that cost can be a barrier. That’s why we’ve created a dedicated funding support webpage, with information for schools and parents on:

  • Charities

  • Foundations

  • Community agencies

These can help with financial support for educational visits.


🔗 Find Out More

Visit our website to:

  • View detailed activity descriptions

  • Explore learning objectives and outcomes

  • Access planning resources and documents

Find out more about Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre
Aerial shot of the centre with the town and the sea beyond

Contact Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre