Dunfield education centre looking beautiful between a beautiful lawn and some over hanging trees

Outdoor residentials involve young people spending time away from home, with their peers, and undertaking adventures in new environments. These residential support personal and social development and improve health and wellbeing. The outdoor centres on this page offer accommodation and learning where lifelong engagement with the outdoors is encouraged with all its positive mental and physical health outcomes.

Outdoor Education Centres


    Outdoor education centres are a great way to expand a child’s horizons. For many a stay at one is the first time they’ve spent a night away from home or their parents. It can be a massive challenge, but one that will make them stronger. The range of activities on offer at OECs is vast, most will offer adventurous activities like climbing or archery. They can also offer more learning-based experiences where the students will explore and learn about the natural world.

    Sustainability Centres, or Environmental Outdoor Centres

    Often in spectacular buildings and always in stunning environments. Environmental Outdoor Centres provide catered accommodation (self-catering is often possible with sole use) and a variety of outdoor environmental educational activities.  Great for creating a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

    Monkton Wyld Court in Dorset, a sustainability education centre, shown from behind a cherry blossom tree.
    Monkton Wyld Court, speaciling in environmental edication since the 1960’s

    Adventurous Outdoor Education Centres

    Many outdoor education centres specialize in providing activities that most people don’t normally get the chance to do. Things like rock climbing, abseiling, archery, canoeing and many more. What is on offer depends on the centre, they will have information about what they do on their websites or if you get in contact with them. Again, they will be happy to tailor programs to you so you can achieve the objectives of your visit.

    Many of these exciting events will take people outside of their comfort zones. Something that can be hugely beneficial. Some may even confront fears (heights is a common one) and being able to overcome these obstacles can give a huge confidence boost. It may even help when back in the classroom.

    Child taking aprt in archery while being supervised
    Archery taking place at Mount Cook