Outdoor Education - Schools

Sky Ropes - Climb the 12m pole to the platform then if you dare, you can test your balance and tolerance of heights by traversing the course of seven linked elements. To descend, step off the platform to gently ‘float’ to the ground.

Wobbly log and Net Climb - Climb the wobbly log and scramble net – its not as easy as it looks!

High Ropes (Cargo Net and Tree Climb)

Cargo Net - A rope-protected climbing challenge to reach the top of the scramble net. Your team can help or hinder by holding the net for you..!

Tree Climb – climb the challenging Scots Pine tree and ring the bell when you reach the top!

Climbing Wall - Traverse the wall on multi-coloured holds, try the problems and negotiate the different shapes / volumes!

Climbing Boulder - A great activity for developing confidence, co-ordination, movement skills, fitness or to simply have fun! The design and shape of the boulder provides a range of surfaces of varying levels of difficulty, so that groups of all ages and abilities join in.

Low Ropes - This activity can be led by a Thornbridge instructor or by one of your staff (provided they have completed a low ropes training course).  A great team activity, which can be adapted to suit the age and ability of the group.   

Zip Wire - Climb the 30ft tree to the platform above. Once attached to the zip wire, you can leap off the platform, and fly like a bird through the canopy of the trees.

Jacob’s Ladder - A great team challenge! Three people must work together to climb the ‘giant’ ladder as the rungs get increasingly further apart the higher you climb.

Biking - Our on-site Trike and Bike Trail and the nearby Monsal Trail (a disused railway line from Thornbridge to Bakewell) are ideal for introducing young people to cycling. 

For groups seeking more challenge and/or skill development we have our Bike Skills Area.

We have a fleet of bikes and trikes that are available to hire with prior notice.

First Aid (Heartstart 2-3hours) - A training course developed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to improve basic first aid knowledge in the community. Content includes getting help / safe airway position / cardiac arrest / choking / heart attack / serious bleeding. Following the course participant receive a certificate of attendance (not competence).

Conservation / Environmental Activities - Your group could help put something back into Thornbridge by getting stuck into some conservation activities during their stay. Depending on the time of year, this could include hedge planting / weeding / mulching / footpath restoration / composting / making bird and insect boxes / pond maintenance.   

Rock Climbing
Suitable for all ages and abilities – experience the challenges and rewards of climbing the fabulous gritstone in the Peak District. We can select appropriate venues and routes to meet the ability of the group.

Abseiling
Abseiling involves descending a fixed rope. We can abseil at a outdoor crag or at Millersdale Viaduct (which offers an exciting 75 feet high free hanging abseil). Your fellow group members can help give encouragement as you lean back over the edge.....

Weaselling
Have fun exploring the boulders of the Peak District. Weaselling involves crawling in-between/ under / over and sometimes through boulders! A good team activity where encouragement and support for your team play an important part.

Caving / Mining
Explore the exciting underground world by visiting the caves and mines of the Peak District. The adventure will often include the opportunity to see some beautiful formations, and experience complete darkness!

Adventure Walk
Adventure walks can include scrambling, bouldering, weaselling, trust games, parachute games, map work / orienteering .... and much more. Walks can take a whole day or half a day, depending on your aims and objectives and the ability of the group.

Stream Study
This activity could link to work in school on rivers / streams / the water cycle etc. A half day activity which involves measuring and recording the width / depth / speed of a stream from its mouth to its source and then comparing and analysing the results.

Mountain Biking - There are a range of mountain bike routes available from Thornbridge of varying levels of difficulty. This includes the Monsal Trail (a disused railway line that runs from Thornbridge to Bakewell) and for more advanced groups, we can offer a more challenging route, such as an ascent of Longstone Edge! Adult and children’s mountain bikes can be hired by prior arrangement.

Photo orienteering
Using the photos provided, you must find the clues hidden around the Thornbridge grounds. Once you have collected all the clues, can you crack the code?

Orienteering with Thornbridge maps
We have a number of permanent orienteering courses in place around the Thornbridge grounds. From the circular course (good for introducing map skills and orientation) to the punch card, more advanced course. Our courses are designed so that participants can progress through the levels of difficulty as they become more competent at the sport. Orienteering is often seen as a good introductory activity and a way for groups to get to know their way around the site.

Problem solving
Ideal for developing team work / co-operation / leadership and communication skills for groups of all ages and abilities. Some problem solving tasks are mentally challenging whilst others require a more physical input. We can help select the right tasks for your group, which are challenging, yet inclusive, to ensure that all members of your group can take part.

Nature Trail
Explore the 55 acres of the Thornbridge site and complete the environmental activities along the way. Activities include: Hug a Tree / Nature’s Palette / Sounds / Feely Box / Eye in the Sky / Minibeast Hunt / Journey Sticks and many more.

Low Ropes
The most popular activity at Thornbridge! This activity can be delivered by Thornbridge or visiting staff (provided they have attended a half-day Low Ropes Training Course beforehand). Ideal for developing team work / trust / confidence etc. 

Minibeast Hunt
With 55 acres, we have many different habitats at Thornbridge, which is ideal for searching for minibeasts and other creepy crawlies. Investigate where minibeasts live and why? This activity can be part of the Nature Trail or linked to den building or topics back at school.

Nightline
A string course through the woods. Participants must follow the string wherever it goes! This activity can be done at night or during the day, as blindfolds and ‘blacked – out’ goggles are provided.

Pond dipping
The Thornbridge pond is full of life. Small groups can easily dip from our purpose built platform (wheelchair accessible) and identify what they have found using our species ID cards. Magnifying glasses / microscopes and all other pond dipping equipment provided.

Dream Catchers
Collect material from the environment whilst on your walk around the grounds (i.e feathers / leaves / pine cones / bark / conkers / acorns etc) and make a dream catcher from willow and wool. Hang your materials from your dream catcher and place at the end of your bed to keep the nightmares away ........

Journey Sticks
A good reviewing activity to reflect on a day or a walk. Each member of the group must find a stick and collect material from the environment whilst on the walk. The materials are then tied to the stick using wool / string to illustrate the  ‘journey’ / events that happened during the walk. 

Biking - Our on-site Trike and Bike Trail and the nearby Monsal Trail (a disused railway line from Thornbridge to Bakewell) are ideal for introducing young people to cycling.

We have a fleet of bikes and trikes that are available to hire with prior notice.

Local Walk
We can recommend a wide range of walks in the local area to suit your group. We will advise you on your route depending on your aims / objectives / ability of the group / time available / the weather etc. and provide maps and emergency equipment if required.

Parachute Games
A fun activity using a giant parachute. A good introductory activity or even whilst out on a walk.

Camp Fire
Use our designated campfire spots to toast mashmallows / sing songs / recount stories with your group whilst sharing the warmth of a campfire.

Local Farm Visit
Thornbridge have links with local farms in Great Longstone and Hassop, (within walking distance of the centre) and are willing and able to accommodate school and youth groups. Providing a fantastic educational resource, groups are able to see a wide range of animals, learn about different aspects of farming and milk production – from milking the cow to purchasing a pint of milk in the farm shop!   .

‘Story of the Rainbow’
A fun activity which encourages group members to look carefully at the colours in the environment.

Making Bird Cake for Thornbridge Feeders
You can help feed the birds at Thornbridge by making your own home-made bird cake, fill the bird feeders, then sit back and watch them get stuck in!

Cooking
The self-catering kitchens at Thornbridge are ideal for introducing cooking skills. Many groups take advantage of this facility and include a baking session in their programme.

I.T / Digital Diary
Record your visit to Thornbridge using digital cameras, then download your photos and create a movie using ‘photostory’ with narration and text to take back to school.

Bakewell
Renown for its puddings and markets (which are still held in the town centre every Monday) ts thriving livestock market. historic buildings and riverside walks along the banks of the Wye The town has a long and fascinating history, also mentioned in the Dooms Day Book of 1805., ‘Badequella’ meaning Bath-well.
Its possible to walk or cycle to Bakewell from Thornbridge Outdoors along the Monsal Trail, a disused railway line which runs parallel to the Thornbridge grounds. (Note, the distance to Bakewell is approx 5km / 3 miles).

Pooles Cavern, Buxton
Poole's Cavern is a 2 million year old, natural limestone cave situated in the beautiful woodland of Buxton Country Park. One of the great caves of the Peak District.
Website: www.poolescavern.co.uk
Email: info@poolescavern.co.uk

Matlock Mining Museum
Visit a museum where you can experience and wonder at the forgotten world of a Derbyshire lead miner. See the tools they used, clothes they wore, the advances in technology and the importance of this metal in our modern day lives.
Website: www.peakmines.co.uk

Email: mail@peakmines.co.uk

Tel: 01629 583834

Local Swimming Pools

Bakewell Swimming Pool
Website: www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Email: bakewellswimmingpool@derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Tel: 01629 814205

Buxton Swimming Pool
Website: www.highpeak.gov.uk
Email: buxton-pool@highpeak.gov.uk
Tel: 01298 766142

Matlock Swimming Pool
Website: http://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk
Email: matlocklido@derbyshiredales.gov.uk

Castleton Caverns

Speedwell Cavern
Website: www.speedwellcavern.co.uk
Email: info@speedwellcavern.co.uk
Tel:01433 620512

Peak Cavern
Website: www.cavern.co.uk
Email: info@peakcavern.co.uk
Tel: 01433 620285

Blue John
Website: www.bluejohn-cavern.co.uk

Eyam Church and Museum

Famous for the tragic epidemic of Bubonic Plague in the middle of the 17th century, the village of Eyam can be a useful resource for educational visits.

Eyam Museum
Website: www.eyammuseum.demon.co.uk/
Tel: 01433 631371

Eyam Church
Website: www.spanglefish.com/EyamChurch/

Chatsworth House/ Farmyard & Adventure Playground / Gardens
The magnificent home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire,  with beautiful gardens and unique fountains and water features. Also available Chatsworth's farmyard and adventure playground.
Website: www.chatsworth.org/