Mount Cook Adventure Centre
Mount Cook Adventure Centre, Porter Lane, Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4LS
Call The Office on 01629 823702
Adventure Centre on the edge of the Peak District
The main building accommodates up to 140 guests across 35 ensuite bedrooms and features a large, glass-fronted licensed refectory. A variety of flexible meeting spaces are available, fully equipped with projectors and screens to support classroom sessions, workshops, or conferences.
Just outside, 10 distinctive glamping-style pods each sleep four in bunk beds and include lighting, USB charging points, heating, and private WCs. Shower facilities are conveniently located in the main building. All bedding is provided, just bring your own towels. Guests can choose from bed & breakfast, half board, or full board options. Self-catering is also available for sole-use bookings.
Nestled within 9 acres of private grounds, Mount Cook offers a wide array of outdoor activities such as zip wire, archery and rock climbing all of which can be pre-booked for groups of 8 or more.
The Centre enjoys direct access to the High Peak Trail and the Pennine Bridleway, making it a great base for walking and cycling. It's also next to Black Rocks for climbing. Local attractions include Cromford Mills World Heritage Site, the Heights of Abraham, Chatsworth House, and Carsington Reservoir.
A popular choice for schools, clubs, corporate retreats, weddings, and gatherings of friends and families, Mount Cook also provides ample free parking for up to 40 vehicles just a two-minute walk from the main building, along with electric vehicle charging and accessible parking options.
The main building accommodates up to 140 guests across 35 ensuite bedrooms and features a large, glass-fronted licensed refectory. A variety of flexible meeting spaces are available, fully equipped with projectors and screens to support classroom sessions, workshops, or conferences.
Just outside, 10 distinctive glamping-style pods each sleep four in bunk beds and include lighting, USB charging points, heating, and private WCs. Shower facilities are conveniently located in the main building. All bedding is provided, just bring your own towels. Guests can choose from bed & breakfast, half board, or full board options. Self-catering is also available for sole-use bookings.
Nestled within 9 acres of private grounds, Mount Cook offers a wide array of outdoor activities such as zip wire, archery and rock climbing all of which can be pre-booked for groups of 8 or more.
The Centre enjoys direct access to the High Peak Trail and the Pennine Bridleway, making it a great base for walking and cycling. It's also next to Black Rocks for climbing. Local attractions include Cromford Mills World Heritage Site, the Heights of Abraham, Chatsworth House, and Carsington Reservoir.
A popular choice for schools, clubs, corporate retreats, weddings, and gatherings of friends and families, Mount Cook also provides ample free parking for up to 40 vehicles just a two-minute walk from the main building, along with electric vehicle charging and accessible parking options.
This accommodation is featured on our map of the Peak District and here is its own website.
Details
Beds & Rooms:
180: 140 Beds across 35 bedrooms (including 2 x disabled access), 40 beds across 10 PodOpen:
All year. Office hours 9-5.Price per night:
Please contact for prices - prices start at £18.90 pp per night.Booking:
Book via email, telephone or website.Directions:
From A6 at Cromford follow signs to Wirksworth up Cromford Hill, at the top turn right onto Porter Lane (signposted Middleton By Wirksworth and Ashborne) Mount Cook well signposted on the left and shares the main entrance with the Eco and Stone Centres. From Wirksworth follow the main road towards Cromford, after the railway bridge in Bolehill turn left and follow the above instructions.Public Transport :
Train at Cromford (buses from Cromford Village), buses from Derby, Matlock and Bakewell.Walks :
Long Distance Walks The Pennine Bridleway
Limestone Way
White Peak Loop
Long Distance WalksEn suite rooms Large Hostels Hostels with firepits and campfires University Groups School Residentials Close to a Pub Outdoor Education Centes Camping Charitable Accessible to disabled people Hostels with Camping Pods or Glamping Alternative Weddings Breakfast Evening Meals Stag and Hens
Facilities
r Accessibility Info
Mount Cook Adventure Centre is a non-for-profit activity centre based just outside of the Peak District. Their aim is to make outdoor adventure accessible to everyone. This is reflected in the measures they have put in place to accommodate a range of disabilities. ..Click for photos and more
Map
News & Offers from Mount Cook Adventure Centre
Outdoors for All
February 26th 2026
Here at Mount Cook Adventure Centre, we believe that the thrill of adventure should be accessible to everyone. We are a not-for-profit outdoor activity centre, based in Derbyshire, providing access to the outdoors for all. It’s at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to share a little about how we bring our “outdoors for all” philosophy to life.
From the very beginning, we designed our centre with accessibility in mind. We wanted to create a space where everyone feels welcome and can enjoy their stay comfortably. That’s why you’ll find features like hearing loops, deaf-friendly fire alarms, level-access parking, and ground-floor bedrooms. We also have accessible toilets and wet rooms with mobility rails, and even an all-terrain wheelchair, our Paratreker, so that everyone can explore our beautiful site.
But for us, accessibility is about more than just our physical facilities. It’s about creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all our guests, especially for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Our experienced team is passionate about making everyone feel welcome. We offer pre-visit site tours to help ease any anxieties, and we have “breakout boxes” with sensory items for those who might need a quiet moment. We also offer a discounted rate for schools that need to bring 1:1 staff support for a child with SEND.
We’re always looking for ways to adapt our activities to suit a wide range of needs. While not every activity is suitable for everyone, we work closely with each group to find the best options and make adaptations wherever we can. This commitment to inclusivity is a journey of continuous learning for us.
Outdoor School Residentials | 2026 Dates Available
January 19th 2026
We currently have a limited number of late-availability dates for school residentials in 2026 at our outdoor adventure centre. These remaining dates provide an excellent opportunity for primary and secondary schools still planning their residential programme to secure a well-established centre focused entirely on group stays.
School residentials offer far more than time away from the classroom. They support personal development, strengthen relationships, and give pupils the chance to build confidence, independence, and teamwork skills in a structured and supportive environment.
Late Availability Dates – 2026
We currently have availability on the following dates:
• Wednesday 29th April – Friday 1st May
• Wednesday 13th – Friday 15th May
• Monday 1st – Friday 5th June
• Monday 6th – Friday 10th July
• Monday 13th – Friday 17th July
These dates are suitable for both 2-night and 4-night residentials, offering flexibility to suit curriculum needs, travel logistics, and group size.
What’s Included in a 2-Night School Residential?
Our 2-night school residentials are designed to be straightforward for staff to organise, while delivering a high-quality experience for pupils.
Accommodation & Catering
Pupils and staff stay on site in safe, comfortable accommodation suitable for school groups. The residential includes full-board catering, with an evening meal on arrival, breakfast and lunch each day, an evening meal on the second night, breakfast before the final activity session, and a packed lunch to have onsite or on the bus back home. All dietary requirements and allergies are fully catered for.
Structured Outdoor Learning Programme
A typical 2-night residential includes two full days of instructor-led outdoor activities, delivered by qualified and experienced staff. Activities are age-appropriate, inclusive, and designed to support key outcomes such as teamwork, communication, resilience, and confidence-building. Evening activities are a great way to end the day and reflect on the trip so far!
Support for Teachers and Group Leaders
We understand the responsibilities involved in organising a school residential. Our team provides planning support, risk assessments, example itineraries, and on-site assistance throughout your stay to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Excellent Value for Schools
We offer 1 free leader place for every 10 pupils, helping schools meet supervision requirements while keeping residential costs manageable.
What Schools Say
When asked ‘What were the best elements to your trip?’ these were responses from schools over the past year…
“Everything- the organisation, activities, leaders, catering and front of house staff.”
“The variety of activities, the attention to detail when supporting children with food requirements, the knowledge and care of most of the instructors”
“Seeing the students working together and socialising without phones”
Book While 2026 Availability Remains
These remaining school residential dates for 2026 are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are still planning a school residential and would like to secure a place at an independent outdoor adventure centre, we would be happy to discuss your requirements.
Get in touch to check availability, request a quote, or start planning a school residential that delivers lasting benefits for your pupils.
[explore@mountcook.uk]
[01629 823702]
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