Rock UK Whithaugh Park Residential Adventure Centre Scottish Borders Scotland

What makes us a great choice for education

We understand the impact that the last two years have had on the emotional and social development of our young people. At Rock UK’s Whithaugh Park site, we will work with your students to enrich their knowledge, develop their curiosity and enhance their life and social skills.

Our residential stays and day visits can be developed to meet the learning objectives of your school. Through inspiring outdoor adventures your students will be guided by our expert instructors to develop growth mindsets, become more confident, better communicators, team players and innovators.

All our residential stays can be tailor-made for your group. You can choose from full board or self-catering accommodation. An action packed activity programme or free time for your own programme of group-led activities. The choice is yours.

Financial support is available. As a charity we believe that every child should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in confidence and that by doing this with their peers your school group will benefit as a whole. The Rock UK Bursary Fund is available and offers financial support to make sure that no child is left behind at home - because their family can’t afford the trip.

 “Without the bursary the children would not have been able to go on the residential trip which had such a positive impact on their learning, understanding and the development of essential skills.” Lucy, School Teacher

Accreditation and Awards

• LOtC - Accredited
• AALA - all of our team are DBS checked.
• CR Net – members.

What is typically included on our school trips

We have a range of on-site and off-site activities that education groups can use:

• Abseiling 
• Archery
• All-weather sports pitch  
• Bushcraft
• Campfire
• Canoeing, Kayaking river trips
• Climbing
• Fencing
• Geocaching
• Gorge walking
• High ropes
• Inflatables
• Kayaking
• Low ropes
• Mountain biking
• Mountain bike skills track
• Night hikes
• Open canoeing
• Orienteering
• Raft building
• Sense of place
• Slacklining
• Sports hall
• Swimming in our heated indoor swimming pool
• Team development tasks
• Trading trainers
• Walk of life
• Wide game
• Zip wire

Group Sizes Catered For

At the Rock UK, Whithaugh Park site we can welcome school groups from 4 up to 192 people.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

No restrictions.

Risk Assessment Details

Risk Assessments are available on our web site - https://rockuk.org/about-us/risk-assessments

Pricing Information

One free leader place for every 10 full paying guests https://rockuk.org/offers/half-price/

Example of seasonal discounts apply (from November to February incl) £152.50 x 4 nights 5 days fully catered, activities and swim – please note minimum group numbers apply 

October – £75pp 2 night/3day stay fully catered, activities and swim.

Financial support is available. As a charity we believe that every child should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in confidence and that by doing this with their peers your school group will benefit as a whole. The Rock UK Bursary Fund is available and offers financial support to make sure that no child is left behind at home because their family can’t afford the trip.

Clothing Requirements

Contact us regarding a KIT list. 

First Aid Information

All instructors are first aid qualified. Duty Managers are first aid qualified.

Available Facilities

There are a number of additional facilities at Whithaugh Park:

• Meeting/activity cabins
• Large sports hall
• Indoor, heated swimming pool
• Tuck Shop
• All-Weather sports pitch
• Mountain bike hire
• Mountain bike skills course
• 24 hour duty manager
• Games room
• Each ‘holm’ has social area
• Low ropes course

Opening Hours & Information

We are open 7 days per week. Activities run from 9 am to 5.30pm

Testimonials

“I believe the teacher/ pupil relationships have grown and this is crucial for children to access the curriculum. Confidence in those children has already started to shine through within classroom setting. They feel more comfortable with their teacher to open up and share answers. We refer back to the activities and have an open mindset during all lessons, looking at how children felt about the challenge and how they pushed themselves.” Brookland School Teacher

"Following Covid, most of these children had never experienced being away from home, particularly in an outdoor/adventurous setting. The whole experience allowed the children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds to thrive, step outside of their comfort zone, and challenge themselves, physically, socially and emotionally" Marie, School Teacher

“The abseiling really helped with my confidence. Also the raft-building because I am usually bossy and when I don't do something right I think I am a failure but this helped me realise that I can make mistakes and use teamwork when other people knew what to do” Lily, Pupil

Can I just say how amazing the staff leading the activities were - honestly they really made the trip, they were absolutely fantastic. They were so encouraging, patient, enthusiastic, fun and genuinely interested in the children and we were so thankful for their hard work. What I really liked was how they offered a whole host of alternatives to the children to try to get them to access some of the tasks they were afraid of. All the members of staff I brought with me said the same thing and the children loved them. So a huge thank you"! Laura, Teacher

Other Information

Whithaugh Park is owned by Rock UK, a Christian charity that since 1922 have had a passion to develop skills for life in young people. We welcome people of all faiths and none and provide a safe and friendly environment for young people to thrive and be themselves.

Financial support is available. As a charity Rock UK believe that every child should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in confidence and that by doing this with their peers your school group will benefit as a whole. The Rock UK Bursary Fund is available and offers financial support to make sure that no child is left behind at home - because their family can’t afford the trip.

 "We were so grateful to receive bursary to help bring along young people that we work with.....Many of the young people who attended with us were already experiencing the issues that are common when affected by poverty. The bursary meant that we could bring all of our Youth group to the centre to take part in activities and have new experiences with their peers. They had so many magical moments - especially the raft building & high ropes. It was great to see them having such a good time in a positive environment where they we encouraged to be brave, achieve new things - without the pressures of their day to day lives". Debbie, Youth Group Leader

Rock UK Whithaugh Park is situated in the unspoilt landscape of the Scottish Borders, Liddesdale in Scotland is an incredible outdoor adventure centre offering a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities all year round to schools and educational groups.

Location Information

Whithaugh Park outdoor adventure residential centre is situated in the un-spoilt landscape of the Scottish Borders countryside sharing its surroundings with forests, moorlands and rivers. Whithaugh Park has a wealth of natural adventure resources right on the doorstep and is perfect for inspiring school residential adventures.

Equipped with a stunning bike skills course, you’ll also find one of the 7stanes world class mountain bike trails running right next to the centre.

Travelling times by road:

40 minutes from the M6 junction 44

2hrs from Glasgow

1hr 45minutes from Newcastle Upon Tyne

2hrs 40 minutes from Manchester

2hrs from Preston

Room Sizes and Facilities

The accommodation is made up of Scandinavian-style lodges in a cluster of holms. Each holm consists of accommodation lodges, kitchen, meeting and dining room lodges.

Across All Rock UK accommodation is rated as Premier, Comfort and Economy.  All accommodation at Whithaugh Park is rated as Comfort.

ALDER HOLM

Alder sleeps 49 – 65 people in 5 accommodation lodges with bedrooms, shower and toilet facilities within the lodges. There is also a kitchen/dining lodge and an activity/meeting lodge.

BEECH HOLM

Beech sleeps 27 – 36 people in 4 accommodation lodges with bedrooms, shower and toilet facilities. There is also a kitchen/dining lodge and an activity/meeting lodge.

OAK HOLM

Oak sleeps 28 – 38 people in 4 accommodation lodges with bedrooms, shower and toilet facilities. There is also a kitchen/dining lodge and an activity/meeting lodge. One lodge has disabled access.

BIRCH HOLM

Birch sleeps 20 – 27 people in 3 accommodation lodges, with bedrooms, toilet and shower facilities. There is also a kitchen/dining lodge and an activity/meeting lodge.

PINE HOLM

Pine sleeps 10 – 13 people in 2 lodges. There is also a kitchen/dining lodge and an activity/meeting lodge.

There are also two family lodges onsite

SPRUCE

Spruce is a self-contained cabin sleeping up to 7 people. The cabin has its own kitchen, bedrooms, shower room and lounge/dining area with sofa beds.

HAZEL 

Spruce is a self-contained cabin sleeping up to 6 people with its own kitchen, bedrooms, shower room and lounge/dining area with sofa beds.

Booking information

Online: https://rockuk.org/centres/whithaugh-park/

Phone: 013873 75394

Email: whithaugh@rockuk.org

Address: Rock UK WHITHAUGH PARK, Newcastleton, Scottish Borders, TD9 0TY