Brathay Hall Outdoor Residential Centre Cumbria
Visit Website
Email us
Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HP
MONTHS OPEN
DAYS OPEN
AGE GROUPS SERVED
Listed under: Art and Design | Lake District Tours | Residential School Trips | Water Sports | Team Building | Special Educational Needs (SEN) | Safety Awareness | Personal Development-Mentoring | Outdoor Education | Crafts | Climbing, High Ropes & Zipwires | Bushcraft | Outdoor Residential Centres | Bunkhouses | Accommodation & Residential | PE (Physical Education/Sport) | Orienteering
What makes us a great choice for education
If you book a residential with us, you’ll be coming to our main headquarters at Brathay Hall; an historic Georgian mansion surrounded by private woodlands on the northern shore of lake Windermere. The setting couldn’t be better. You'll have access to communal areas within the grounds, where we have our very own boathouse and private shoreline by the lake. There is a multitude of high rope courses and other outdoor adventure activities on site, and everything is within spitting distance of a variety of group accommodation options.
OLD BRATHAY (SLEEPS 32)
With 8 large bunk rooms in total the house can accommodate up to 32 guests with Wi-Fi throughout. It boasts 2 relaxing lounge areas with comfy sofas, televisions and even some fun group games, like table football. There are also 2 airy group rooms, shower facilities and a small kitchenette for preparing light meals.
LINGMOOR (SLEEPS 20)
Recently renovated, Lingmoor is a characterful, 6-bedroom, self-catering property that can accommodate up to 20 people in total. It offers small comfy dormitories in self-contained blocks with drying rooms and bedding included. A large group space upstairs boasts a new kitchen with space to dine, comfy sofas, games and a TV. Hosting an event? This flexible space can be set up to meet your needs, just request a call to enquire.
EAGLE CRAG (SLEEPS 24)
Eagle Crag is a purpose-built, well-equipped self-catering bunkhouse, sitting in its own woodland setting with complete privacy, plenty of playing out space and dedicated parking.
It can accommodate up to 24 people in dorm-style bunks, so ideal for family gatherings or walking and outdoor activity groups visiting the Lakes together. There is a fully-equipped kitchen and a dining area that seats the whole group in one sitting. The TV room has comfortable seating and bags and there is a games room with a table tennis table.
SHACKLETON LODGE (SLEEPS 32)
Self-catering bunkhouses and like Eagle Crag it also sits in a beautiful woodland setting surrounded by open-space with ample parking for all.
Ideal for youth groups, fellow adventurers, or families and friends holidaying together, there are bunks for 32 people and a fully-equipped kitchen and dining block is just a few steps from the lodge, plus a built-in all-weather BBQ beneath the natural leafy canopy that the tall trees provide.
WE CHALLENGE AND INSPIRE EVERY CHILD
The focus of all our residentials is wellbeing – providing new and challenging experiences to youngsters in a safe, supportive environment that will stretch them without intimidating them and ultimately make them feel good about themselves.
If you’re looking for a meaningful residential experience that your pupils will never forget then Brathay is the place to be.
Not only does Brathay Hall offer an unrivalled Lake District setting on the shores of Windermere with acres of open space and woodlands for exploring and having fun, but your groups will also benefit from the guidance and support of our inspirational outdoor learning instructors.
Our ‘challenge by choice’ approach allows every pupil to take on new experiences in a positive and memorable way and our instructors will make a point of working alongside your own staff as they observe their pupils grow in self-confidence, participate in effective teamwork, and gain from daily reflection and self-evaluation.
We will work with you beforehand to discuss the most appropriate activities for your group and will always offer different options for different weather.
What is typically included on our school trips
LAKE-BASED CANOEING OR KAYAKING
Head out onto Windermere from our sheltered bay and boathouse onboard our canoes (open-topped, good for long journeys and can take several people for some family or group fun) or kayaks (where you sit in a single person cockpit and power yourself with a double ended paddle).
WHALER BOATS
(Minimum of 12 people.) Climb onboard our beautiful, vintage, whalers, and take these large (24ft) rowing boats out for a relaxing row, race some rivals or complete the lake clue find – an orienteering course on Windermere.
ROPES COURSES
Lots of different challenges to try - most of them high in the air, but with options for those who like to be closer to the ground!
Climbing wall: There are 2 sides to our outdoor climbing wall, with one slightly steeper, so a little more challenging!
Your safety rope can be looked after by other members of your group under our supervision, so that everyone is involved in each other’s success.
High and low challenge courses: Up in the sky, you can attempt to cross a suspended walkway, pull yourself along on a skate, or get through the suspended tube on our aerial obstacle course. Or try out the Mohawk Walk - a team balancing activity where you attempt to cross cables close to the ground… without touching it.
ZIP WIRE
You will be harnessed and helmeted up, clipped onto a big wire cable and zip down it, across a natural valley. You will then lower yourself to the ground with the help of other group members and our staff. Fast and fun!
Tree abseil: Head for heights? Clip in to a safety rope and climb up 4 ladders attached to a tree. At the top of the last ladder, step on to a platform where you will be greeted by our technician. Descend from the platform by abseiling (controlled sliding) down a rope which you control. The technician controls your safety rope.
LEAP OF FAITH
Adrenaline junkie? This one's for you!
Climb up a ladder and staples on a telegraph pole, before balancing on the top. Your safety rope will be looked after by members of your group as you then leap through the air to try and touch a suspended ball.
High Vs: Get two members of your group to walk along ever widening tightropes at height, supporting each other to go as far as you can! A real teamwork challenge where you need to put your faith in your partner.
BEGINNER'S HILL WALK
Enjoy a guided walk in the local area, with the opportunity to take in some special Lake District beauty and stunning views for a couple of hours, on some of our less-challenging hills and fells.
INTERMEDIATE HILL/FELL WALK
(Full day session only.) Up for a bigger challenge? Get your boots on, and let us guide you on a longer walk, taking in some of our steeper and more adventurous routes for a bit of altitude and breathtaking views from the Lake District's famous mountains.
BUSH CRAFT / FIRE LIGHTING
Learn some new survival skills from our expert tutors, including finding out how to light a fire when you've got no matches.
VOYAGEUR CANOEING
(Minimum of 6 people.) Our fantastic voyageur canoes can seat up to 13 people. Head onto Windermere and work as a team to power yourselves around the lake, taking in the beauty of the surrounding area from your unique viewpoint at water-level.
PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISES
Want to exercise your brain too? With activities such as blindfold skipping, bridge the gap, centipede, eggspectation, group juggling, keypad, orienteering and pipeline, you can do just that.
There's plenty of fun to be had as you work as a team to help each other with a mix of mental and physical challenges to test your planning and communication skills to the full.
GHYLL SCRAMBLING
(Full day session only + surcharge for additional travel.) We can sort you out with all the waterproof gear you'll need, then whisk you offsite to a nearby ghyll, where you can enjoy the challenge of making your way up a rocky river ravine, stand under waterfalls and even jump into a plunge pool.
Cold, wet and exhilarating!
Group Sizes Catered For
In our Old Brathay and Lingmoor properties we can accommodate up to 52 for pupils and adults. Shackleton Lodge can accommodate up to 32 and Eagle Crag is a capacity of 24.
https://www.brathay.org.uk/residentials/group-accommodation/
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions
They are authorized to take photos on the private estate and we sometimes ask for consent as to whether we can take photos and film the residential groups too.
Risk Assessment Details
We have risk assessments in place for all of our activities and estate accommodation properties. These are provided when appropriate and when asked to be shown.
Pricing Information
Groups larger than 30 will have 2 x free members of school staff discounted free on a B&B basis.
Contact us for latest prices directly.
First Aid Information
We have first aid stations in each property on the estate and staff members who are first aid trained.
Available Facilities
- Reception
- Tuck shop selling food, drinks and new Brathay branded gifts
- Canteen
- Dining rooms
- Group rooms and yurts for packed lunches
- Wet rooms
- Toilets
- Changing areas
- Study rooms
- Kit store
- Wi-Fi on the estate
- Old Brathay, Lingmoor and Eagle Crag have games rooms and social spaces
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities
We have wheel chair accessibility and wet rooms in Old Brathay, Shackleton Lodge and Eagle Crag.
Other Information
Brathay Trust is a not-for-profit wellbeing and self-development organisation with the charitable purpose of improving the life chances of thousands of young people across Yorkshire and Cumbria, and the North West in real need every year.
Our charitable mission is to design and deliver innovative self-development and support programmes for children, young people and families that promote the core social and emotional attitudes, skills and capabilities to enable a lifetime of wellbeing.
All our funded charitable programmes are community-based and often include an immersive residential at Brathay as part of the learning experience. They are financed through private donations, public funding and grant aid, with additional support from the surplus income generated by our own social enterprise.
Location Information
Our estate at the head of lake Windermere where guests enjoy unrivalled peace and quiet just minutes from the delights and facilities of lovely Ambleside.
Room Sizes and Facilities
The majority of our accommodation is dorm rooms and vary between 2 -7 beds.
