Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre

What will students see and do?

On the edge of the Black Mountains, surrounded by rolling hills, Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre has been offering activities to young people since 1964 and is one of the longest-standing outdoor activity centres in the country.

There are a variety of activities offered at the centre, with the option for a day visit or full school residential trips. The educational team will work with you to create a custom itinerary to meet the requirements of your group. Longtown Outdoor Centre activities are educational and feature clear curricular outcomes.

The centre has been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom badge – a seal of approval for the standard of educational activities offered.

Residential visits can be as short as two nights, or as long as five, depending on the needs of your group. The fully trained instructors are committed to supporting pupils of all ages and abilities. Their approach is to encourage students to stretch their personal comfort zones, rather than be coerced into activities they’re not comfortable with.

The 16-acre site is situated on the border between Herefordshire in England and Monmouthshire in Wales. On a school trip to Longtown Outdoor Centre, visitors can enjoy and explore traditional farmland and the site’s private woodland, surrounded by rivers, mountains and fields. There’s also a Norman castle within a few minutes’ walk from the centre.

No school residential trip is complete without a campfire. This activity is a great way to round off the day and can be combined with other activities such as a talent show or storytelling.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Suitable for participants ages six and above, the low ropes course is great for team development and building trust. It also challenges balance and agility. Orienteering is also great for teaching pupils how to read a map and search for markers. It develops planning, strategy and negotiation skills.

Archery builds confidence, as students see their aim improve with practice.

Rock climbing takes place at the centre’s custom-made facilities, or at nearby limestone cliffs. This activity is suitable for ages six and above and develops trust, reliance and a sense of achievement.

Stand-up paddleboarding is a very popular activity that can be enjoyed by students aged six and above. It takes place in the centre’s pool or at the nearby River Wye. It builds balance, concentration and team skills.

Hill walking introduces students to the local environment and how to navigate it safely. It can meet geography outcomes for different ages, as well as awareness of different habitats.

Gorge walking gets participants exploring local streams while scrambling over rocks and climbing water flows. It’s a challenging activity and develops resilience and confidence. It also teaches students about local waterways.

Caving is suitable for students aged six and above and sees pupils crawling through a series of caverns and tunnels. This activity develops teamwork, communication and confidence.

Canoeing can take place either at the Monmouth and Brecon Canal or on the River Wye. With three students to each boat, it’s an exercise in teamwork, problem-solving and communication.

The zipline route is 300 metres long and takes pupils aged eight and above through the air at high speed. It’s a fun activity for building resilience and trust.

The high ropes course helps pupils conquer their fears and work as a team while working out how to get to the next level. It combines balancing, climbing and jumping – all while safely secured high above the ground.

Subjects covered

Details of risk assessment

Risk assessments can be downloaded from the centre’s website.

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