At Patterdale Hall we can offer a full range of outdoor activities, all based onsite and within easy reach of our front door. We have access to three local crags, boathouses where the kayaks, canoes and sailing dinghies are kept, and the grounds where the ropes course, gorge and archery range are all just by a short walk from the Hall.
Whilst it is more normal for us to provide activities to groups that are residential at the Hall, it is possible for us to also provide activities for non residential groups, and also on occasion to provide activities at alternative venues.
Groups that are residential at Patterdale Hall are, of course, welcome to organise all or part of their own programme, but please be aware that the Patterdale Hall AALS licence only covers programmes organised and run by Patterdale Hall. Outdoor equipment is not normally available to groups undertaking their own programmes.
Bushcraft is an activity that encourages participants to get involved with the environment. During the session they may learn how to efficiently start a fire, cook outside, or perhaps create shelters. More advanced bushcraft includes creating cooking utensils, like pot stands and fire tripods, out of wood ready to cook supper on an open fire. It is a very popular activity.
Set out on an adventure carrying everything you need in a rucksack or dry bag. Walk, canoe or even sail. The aim of an expedition is to allow participants to explore their surroundings by determination and physical strength alone. Finish each day spending the night in a tent / camping barn or bothy, after cooking a meal on a Trangia stove. It is a real team building experience.
Learn how to navigate your way around the Lakeland fells, understand the equipment you need to be safe, and how to work as a team to achieve your goal. Reach your summit to enjoy amazing views and a real sense of achievement, before descending safely back to the centre.
Learn how to sail a dinghy with your friends. Enjoy learning how to turn and sail with the wind while taking in amazing scenery. Patterdale Hall is a certified training centre with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and can offer sailing awards and powerboat and safety boat course. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Experience the satisfaction of getting your kayak to move in a straight line and around obstacles. Play games to increase your confidence and develop your skills. Once you have grasped the basics, use your skills to go on an adventure on the amazing Lake Ullswater. For those wanting more, we have progressive boats including river kayaks, touring kayaks and sea kayaks.
Have a go at canoeing and learn how to manoeuvre this versatile craft. Paddle it with another person and experience how important communication is. Pack it with camping kit and spend the night out under the stars, or raft two together and have a safe, stable craft for the youngest of groups. Great fun and very good at developing teamwork skills.
Barrel rafting requires solid team work to design and then build a raft using spars, ropes and barrels. How well you tie your knots is very important if you want to stay afloat! Find out who are the natural leaders in your group and who is prepared to get stuck in. If you all work together you should stay dry!
Paddle boarding, whether sat down, kneeling or standing, requires the rider to paddle through the water to propel the board forward. The whole body will be involved. Paddle boarding is perfect for beginners and is an easy water sport to learn. It is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The centre runs expeditions from Bronze to Gold both practise and assessments. We use all types of transport from foot to canoe to bike to sea kayak. All equipment can be supplied and we are happy to help students who wish to create their own expedition either in the UK or abroad.
Archery is a sport in which arrows are shot with a bow in a controlled way towards fixed targets. This takes place in the archery range in our grounds. Participants are taught everything that they need to know to be able shoot at a basic level. While taking part in archery, the instructors will set a number of different challenges.
We offer a range of outdoor team building and problem solving activities that will suit a range of different ages and abilities. Each team building and problem solving activity provides a different challenge that you will have to try and overcome to achieve the goal.
The on site low ropes course provides many challenges set by our instructors. The course also encourages communication and helps individuals build confidence while also developing their balance and coordination skills.
A great opportunity to develop practical map reading skills within the safety of our in-grounds orienteering courses. Once equipped with the skills, participants are sent off to find markers against the clock in small groups. This enables participants’ independence as they have to make decisions to solve any problems that may occur.
Campfires are probably the best part about camping! They can provide a place to gather to eat, share stories and gaze up at the starry night sky. But most importantly, you can use them to toast marshmallows!
The most classic and, for some, the most memorable of all outdoor activities. We have two mountain crags readily accessible from Patterdale Hall. Oxford Crag offers stunning views over Lake Ullswater and many varied climbing routes from simple scrambles to more challenging vertical routes perfect for younger students. Our alternative crag up the Grisedale valley offers many more routes for the more adventurous. From learning the basics of bouldering and movement on the rock to belaying, tying in, and simple appreciation of roles within a team, rock climbing is a great all round activity that anyone can achieve great things on.
Gorge Walking, otherwise know as Ghyll Scrambling, takes place within the Patterdale Hall grounds. Described by some as the most fun you can have in a wetsuit! As our most popular activity, Gorge Walking encompasses all our activities in one. From simply scrambling over rocks to exploring tunnels, rock slides, traversing above rock pools, swimming, floating, and ultimately jumping into the beck – it has something for everyone. The gorge is adaptable for younger groups and also offers more adventurous routes and team activities for those wanting a more challenging session.
Cliff jumping does what it says on the tin. It involves jumping off a cliff as a form of sport. It is suitable for all ages and fitness levels and you can be provided with equipment to allow yourself to participate at your own level.
Conservation projects such as The John Muir Award encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. It is inclusive, accessible and non-competitive. It encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment with a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration.
