Calshot Activities Centre near Southampton

What makes us a great choice for education

We have been delivering our outdoor educational programmes for over 50 years and know what it takes to make a good residential a GREAT residential. We focus on delivering high quality outdoor activities and our staff are trained and monitored not only on their ability to deliver safe sessions, but also on their ability to fully embed your learning objectives into every session. 

School groups will be allocated a Course Director who oversees your visit to ensure everything is covered. As much as possible, we will allocate one activity instructor to stay with their activity group throughout your stay – allowing the instructor to really get to know the members in the group and provide a continuous point of contact.

Accreditation and Awards

We are monitored and assessed by various outdoor industry bodies to ensure we deliver safe and educational activities. These include:

• The Learning Outside the Classroom quality badge (LOTC)
• Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA)
• British Canoe (BC)
• Royal Yacht Association (RYA)
• Institute of Outdoor Learning membership (IOL)
• AdventureMark award
• NICAS climbing.

What is typically included on our school trips

We deliver a wide range of adventurous activities on-site as well as off-site excursions to the New Forest National Park. The hub of activity at the centre is Sunderland Hangar, one of our three converted airplane hangars. It hosts a cycling velodrome, large climbing complex, ski slope, archery ranges and an air rifle range all under one roof! We have an outdoor high ropes course, initiative course and, utilizing our great location, we offer sailing, kayaking and windsurfing.

We have another indoor Hangar which contains 2 soft rubber multi-sport pitches as well as space for other activities. 

Group Sizes Catered For

We can accommodate up to 180 students across our four accommodation buildings with staggered sittings in our dining hall.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

We do not take any photos for our promotional purposes. However, groups are welcome to take their own pictures and to tag us on social media @CalshotActs to share their amazing experiences!

Risk Assessment Details

Our risk assessing processes are rigorously checked by external providers and internally through Hampshire County Council departments. As we are an approved supplier through the Evolve system you can rest assured that our procedures and policies are thoroughly analyzed.

Taking guidance from the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel and other industry boards - we provide a risk summary instead of activity specific risk assessments.

However, if you do have any queries our bookings team will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

Pricing Information

The prices vary per visit based on your requirements and the time of year that you’re looking to visit. For our school groups, we offer fully inclusive residential packages which offer 1 free staff space per 10 students, or part group of 10.

Get in touch onbookings.hoc@hants.gov.uk or 02380 884 930 to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to give you a price.

First Aid Information

All of our instructional staff are first aid trained, as well as the duty manager that will be on-site overnight whilst you stay with us.

We have a first aid room which is stocked up with supplies and available for visiting groups to use.

Available Facilities

We have a number of facilities/services that are additional to our accommodation, catering and activities stations. These include:

• A souvenir shop
• On-site café/bar
• Conference room facilities
• Overnight Security
• Drying rooms in some accommodation blocks

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

Our site is accessible with disabled facilities. We can adapt most of our activities to suit those with limited mobility and have experienced staff that are trained to delivered adaptive sessions.

Opening Hours & Information

The site is open year-round, and our opening times are suited to whichever groups we have on-site.

You’re welcome to come down and see the site which is open 7 days a week from 9-5. If you want a guided tour get in touch on bookings.hoc@hants.gov.uk or on 02380 884 930.

Testimonials

Here are a couple of our favorite comments from groups:

"I’ve done 20 years of residential trips – you guys just became my number 1 choice! Staff were all very knowledgeable and passionate about education." - Valley Road School.

"We really appreciated the instructors’ professionalism and the progress this has enabled the children to make. Our children have been in caring hands." - St James C of E Primary Academy.

Location Information

Calshot Activities Centre is located on a landform known as a Spit which protrudes out into the waters of the Solent, 30 minutes from Southampton. Our truly unique setting offers groups, of up to 180, fantastic panoramic views of the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

We are a 15-minute drive from the New Forest National Park and the popular tourist town of Beaulieu.

Room Sizes and Facilities

The rooms mostly consist of bunkbeds and can range from 3 per room with a couple specific room being larger and holding 8-10 people.

Each of our four buildings have their own personal style and charm. Some have classrooms as part of the building, others have lounge spaces, some rooms have their own toilet/shower opposite the door.

Every room offers a view of the sea on one side of the spit or other!

Booking information

To book, contact us at bookings.hoc@hants.gov.uk or on 02380 884 930. 

We look forward to hearing from you.