The Wilderness Centre
The Wilderness Centre sits on 30 acres of ancient woodland wildflower meadows and gardens. It enjoys spectacular views over the River Severn to the Cotswolds and the Malvern Hills over 20 miles away. It is in effect a clearing in the canopy of the Forest of Dean and so, ecologists will say, has a vital role to play in Forest biodiversity and therefore its continuing health and vitality.
The outdoor activities that the Wilderness has provided for local school children for most of the last 50 years will continue. We plan to extend these activities further to include learning how to encourage biodiversity, and further still, to offer these experiences also to the whole Forest community. Even simply to offer the space to your local community group, to meet and mix with others in this beautiful spot.
If you are bringing larger or professional groups, the facilities are also available for hire. The main house has large public rooms for meetings, conferences or training. The largest room seats over a hundred people. Our fully equipped professional kitchen and dining area can cater for up to sixty guests, while upstairs, we have ten bedrooms with sleeping for fifty-four people.
The Bell Tent Village
Accommodates 60 people in 15 bell tents. Located in the old walled orchard, this secluded spot provides peace and calm for a ‘night under the stars’. There’s a kitchen, centrally heated sitting room, large marquee, toilets, showers, pizza oven and wifi.
On-Site Activities
Archery
A great introduction to an ancient Olympic sport. Archery requires discipline, concentration and determination. Our patient instructors will ensure that all participants are taught the correct technique in a safe and fun manner and encouraged to achieve their goals.
Bushcraft
Unleash the inner survival expert! At the Wilderness centre we have a great location for learning traditional Bushcraft skills. Fire Lighting, Shelter Building, campfire cooking and animal tracking are taught by our experienced instructors in ancient woodland around our site.
Orienteering
We have a variety of orienteering courses laid out around our 29 acre site and in the adjacent woodland. Our professional instructors will teach the required map skills and then set small teams off around the appropriate course. A great activity for experiencing self-reliance, decision making and risk management.
Tunnel Trail
Our extensive artificial tunnel system is the perfect place for groups to experience total darkness and practice their communication skills. Groups are encouraged to map the tunnel system working together to ensure they are not lost in the catacombs!
Hill Walking
A chance to get away from it all on ½ or full day hikes around the local Forest of Dean or even try the challenging Malvern Hills Ridgewalk. Groups pack a backpack with everything they will need for the hike and learn some navigation skills along the way.
Off-Site Activities
Open Canoeing
Using the majestic River Wye, groups can take part in ½ and whole day river trips, experiencing the SSSI Wye Valley whilst learning about the river and its ecology as well as having an unforgettable adventure.
Raft Building
Groups are tasked with building improvised rafts out of a range of materials, once built groups take to the water to see if their designs work in practice!
Mountain Biking
Explore the Forest of Dean on 2 wheels, specialist instruction means that you can get the best out of your day from a picturesque ride on the family trail to an adrenaline-filled experience on the single-track trails.
What to Expect
A Beautiful, Safe Location
Described by many as a ‘home from home’, The Wilderness Centre has been successfully providing outdoor education with accommodation for schools and private groups for over 50 years. It has achieved the highest accolade of Gold Standard Centre by the ‘Association of Heads of Outdoors Education Centres’.
The Wilderness’ 30-acre site and Georgian country house have a timeless appeal to all ages. High on the hill there is a feeling of space, looking at the world from a vantage point. Yet it is a private site where comings and goings are easily monitored and group management is straightforward.
Our programmes are typically designed to achieve outcomes in the following areas:
Enjoyment
Confidence boosting
Social and environmental awareness
Specific activity skills
Communication, problem-solving and teamwork
Leadership and resilience
Motivation to learn and growth mindset
We are members of the Association for Character Education, following closely the latest research in this growing field and, where appropriate, applying development to our programmes. Our staff follow the ‘challenge by choice’ principle, supporting individuals uniquely to make choices about how they learn and about being at edge of their comfort zone.
Preparing For Your Visit
We often meet people who came to The Wilderness as children, often 10 or 20 years ago. It’s extraordinary how much they remember of their stay.
They can remember the activities they did and the rooms they stayed in. They also remember the feeling of freedom compared to school. They say the teachers seemed so relaxed. We think it’s important to keep personal stories in mind when children come up the drive to the house. They will remember what happens here. For many of them it’s something of a rite of passage where they’ll experience a little more independence. We’ll do all we can to allow this to happen.
The Head of Centre and Operations Manager are very happy to come to schools and do a presentation to parents that helps preparation for the visit.
A Clear Working Relationship with The Wilderness
From the initial phone call through to reviewing the programme, The Wilderness team will work closely with you. We want to understand your goals, the approach you want to take and how we can work with you.
Our Focus
Development programmes: our goal is to provide high-quality, safe and fulfilling outdoor programmes, both on and off-site, for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds
Residential experience: our goal is to provide clean, comfortable accommodation, with good quality food, in well-maintained facilities and grounds
Customer relations: our goal is to have fair and friendly customer relations, based on a clear understanding of the customer’s requirements and clear expectations of the service The Wilderness Centre delivers
Activities
Guests can take part in pre-booked onsite outdoor activities, such as bushcraft, archery, abseiling, crate stack and orienteering with qualified instructors or gather together around the huge campfire in our grounds for a shared feast.
Offsite, we can organise canoeing and kayaking on the River Wye, climbing at Symonds Yat or mountain biking in the Forest of Dean.
Problem-solving
A variety of challenges designed to encourage teamwork, cooperation and planning skills. Each problem is tailored specifically to achieve your outcomes and group goals, whether that be to improve communication skills, encourage empathy or simply to have fun.
Crate Stack
How high can your stack go? A great Team high ropes activity. Your task is to build a tower out of crates, as high as possible! The catch is that you and your team mates will be standing on the tower whilst building it. The rest of your group will have the task of holding your safety ropes and helping you achieve your goals.
Climbing Wall
A great activity for an evening. Climbing takes place inside our small indoor wall, belaying techniques, climbing techniques and bouldering will be taught during the session, with an emphasis on balance and movement skills.
Challenge Course
A great team event, a number of obstacles are set up that require teams to work together to successfully complete the course. Our instructors can set the appropriate challenges top meet the ability levels and outcomes that the group require.
Environmental studies
The Wilderness centre is renowned as a venue for excellent Field studies and environmental education. Our woodland and organic meadows provide inspiring and diverse landscapes for groups to explore and we have a good selection of equipment, work books and textbooks to assist teachers and leaders in delivering their courses.
Kayaking
Using the majestic River Wye, groups can take part in ½ and whole day river trips, experiencing the SSSI Wye Valley whilst learning about the river and its ecology as well as having an unforgettable adventure.
Rock Climbing
Experience the natural beauty of Symonds Yat gorge by climbing on the limestone crags high above the River Wye. With the wide variety of climbs on offer there is something for all abilities.
Caving
Explore the majestic Clearwell Caves away from the tourists. You will be kitted out in an overall, boots, helmet and head lamp and descend into the cave with your professional guide to ensure you have a great time.
Dedication to Learning and growth
Everyone who works at The Wilderness understands that our purpose is to help people learn and grow so that they live happy and fulfilled lives. Outdoors education is the focus of what we do, both on-site and off-site. But we’re also keen to make the classroom experience valuable and stimulating, complimenting what is done outdoors.
We have a clear, forward looking ethos in how we approach learning and growth. Being outdoors has never been more important for people. While activities are at the heart of most of our programmes, we recognise that just being somewhere as beautiful as The Wilderness has huge benefits. The ability to run free in the woods and meadows is what many children remember of their visit here.
Inclusivity
The team at The Wilderness is committed to providing a valuable experience to everyone who visits us. We are used to working with children and young people with a wide range of backgrounds, preferences and abilities. We pride ourselves on being respectful, flexible and adaptive.
We will do all we can to meet the specific requirements of everyone in terms of the activity programme, accommodation and meals. Inclusivity is built into the planning of our programmes. Also, when programmes are running, we continually review how things are going to see if we need to improve anything.
While You’re With Us
As a teacher, let us know what’s going to work for you during your visit in terms of supervising the students and being involved in activities. Our team will be very clear about who is in charge of the group at the different times during the day so that you will be able to step back from activities. It helps if you let us know about any particular needs of students on the day. While most of what we do isn’t weather dependant, extreme conditions can cause a change in programme. With this in mind, we ask you to be flexible.
Checklist
Check The Wilderness has all the information asked for about your group. Depending on what your programme involves i.e. dietary, medical
Check that the group is sufficiently equipped for the time of year and, if it’s in the programme, nights away from home. We’re on the top of a hill, which can be cold and windy.
Quality Policy Statement
Our mission is to help our visitors lead fulfilled lives by enhancing their well-being and their personal development.
We do this through our development programmes and by providing a space to connect with friends, family and colleagues while drawing on the richness of an outdoor environment.
