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Notts Outdoors

Notts Outdoors

"The support of the staff was excellent - everyone in every role is brilliant. All the centre led activities were great and support for visiting staff was really reassuring. A memorable experience!" St Peter's (Ruddington) Primary School. 

Notts Outdoors offers your school fantastic opportunities to experience quality outdoor learning experiences that enrich the curriculum and help learners to reach their potential through positive engagement with the education process, increasing confidence, group awareness, healthy activity and fun.

Find out more about what we do at Notts Outdoors with our latest brochures:

Our centres

The service provides two high-quality residential centres in the Peak District:

  • Hagg Farm Outdoor Education Centre (for key stage 2 pupils and upwards). Activities include rock climbing, canoeing, caving, orienteering, hillwalking, abseiling, gorge walking, zipwire and a host of problem-solving exercises, field studies, conservation and environmental/art activities

  • St Michael’s Environmental Education Centre (for primary school pupils). Activities include walking around the stunning Stanage Edge, local village studies, orienteering, conservation, stream dipping, history walks with role play and environmental art.

Take a look at the short videos below where teachers explain why their pupils love visiting these centres.

In addition, we offer day visits to:

  • Perlethorpe Environmental Education Centre in the Thoresby Estate. Housed in a former village school with a genuine Victorian classroom and a Saxon and Viking encampment, we offer a variety of activities, including history, literacy, maths and art.

  • Bestwood Environmental Education Centre in Bestwood Country Park

  • Sherwood Forest Country Park near Edwinstowe. Activities include Robin Hood and Medieval Life, shelter building, orienteering and habitat studies.

The Mill Adventure Base, at Kingsmill Reservoir, offers both day and residential visits with a range of outdoor activities, team challenges and adventure both on and off-site for key stages 2 to 4.  Adventure activities include climbing, sailing, canoeing, mobile climbing wall, Jacobs ladder, team wall and underground passageways (tubing) as well as off-site activities such as mountain biking, abseiling, rock climbing and weaselling.

What we offer

We provide schools with access to training, guidance and support around educational visits and outdoor education. 

When you book with us, you can expect:

  • a wide range of adventurous and environmental activities led by highly qualified staff at warm, welcoming and well-resourced centres

  • a range of catering packages to suit your group available at all our residential centres. 

  • training for teachers and leaders to empower them to meet the relevant needs of young people, the wider community and the school’s curriculum.

  • an inclusive approach with buildings and activities adapted and available for all users regardless of ability/disability.

  • fully supported and individually tailored school visits, including risk assessments, health and safety policies and procedures, teaching programmes and curriculum resources

  • information, advice and guidance from our visits advice team to help you meet your statutory obligations for educational visits and your responsibility for health and safety. 

We provide affordable, well-regarded and reputable opportunities within 1.5 hours' journey time of any Nottinghamshire school. You can also find out more about the outdoor education service, including videos of pupils enjoying the facilities, by logging-in to the portal.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Notts Outdoors team provides access to the DofE Award through Open Centres across the county, along with residential courses for DofE participants and support for DofE expeditions. Find out more about DofE on our website.

Training opportunities 

A wide range of training is also available, including:

  • HSE approved First Aid

  • National Governing Body Leadership Qualifications (Mountain Leader, Walking Group Leader, Cave Leader, Rock Climbing, Orienteering)

  • Bringing Your School Grounds To Life.

Courses are held at our centres. Some courses can be delivered at your own school e.g. bespoke first aid training. All courses contribute to competency, skills and knowledge and many lead to nationally recognised qualifications. They are delivered by experienced and highly qualified staff throughout the year.

Contact Notts Outdoors

To find out more about how we can support your schools outdoor education goals, or to book your visit, please contact your chosen centre via the details below or use the Services for Schools email for bespoke packages.

Buy This Service

Notts Outdoors Contact

For general enquiries, please email nottsoutdoors@nottscc.gov.uk.

Individual centre contact details are included in the adjacent text.

Services For Schools