Based around Derwentwater - "The Queen of the English Lakes" - and the picturesque Borrowdale Valley, our Lakeland holidays are the active way to explore some of England's most beautiful countryside. Our activity agenda ensures that you see the best of the mountains and lakes whilst participating in some fantastic activities. This is the ideal activity break just that bit closer to home.

The Lake District is one of the most unspoilt regions of the UK and easily accessible providing a great playground for you to fully experience the area's delights.

This area of The Lake District is perhaps less visited than its more southerly lying counterparts but rest assured it is the crowds that are missing out. Keswick is a lovely market town and Derwentwater is, in our opinion, the most beautiful of the English lakes.

Our accommodation is in a superbly located hotel just 5 minutes walk from the bustling market town of Keswick, so we are sure you won't be short of things to do and see during your stay.

Day 1 - arrival and welcome
Your room will be available from 2pm offering you the opportunity to settle in. A welcome meeting with your guide to discuss the week’s programme will be followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2 – Ghyll Scrambling and Via Ferrata
This morning you will head up to Stonycroft Ghyll for some ghyll scrambling or canyoning as it is known elsewhere in the world, is a thrilling activity. With the guidance of the instructor, you will make your way downstream with a series of jumps, slides, scrambles and often swimming or wading through the deeper water.

After lunch you will head up to the Via Ferrata site. This activity is hugely popular in the Italian Dolomites and across Europe.  Via Ferrata is Italian for "Iron Way" and the system has been used in the Alps for more than a century. A series of ladders and rungs are installed into the rock faces around Honister Slate Mine and allow inexperienced climbers access to areas they would otherwise be unable to reach. You will be given full instruction throughout.

Day 3 – Lakeland Mountain Experience
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel you will be picked up to spend a day exploring one of the Lakeland Mountains. During the day your guide will discuss the local flora and fauna and depending on the route, include visits to caves, mines and rivers. The guide will decide on a route based on the group’s ability but previously guests have conquered Scafell Pike, Saddleback and High Street.

Day 4 – Free Day
Today you can explore the charming town of Keswick, taking in the pencil museum, the cinema or the crazy golf and boules available at Hope Park on the shores of Derwent Water. All are within walking distance of the hotel.

Day 5 – Lake Day and Climbing
This morning will be spent on the Queen of the English Lakes, Derwent Water. There will be a range of water based activities for you to experience including Canadian canoeing and dingy sailing. Whether you have tried your hand at these activities before or are a complete beginner, our instructors will be on hand to ensure you have as much fun as possible.

After lunch, we head for a local rock face. Our instructors will ensure that we are safely harnessed and provide expert tuition before we try our ascent. Descending by abseil is just fun, fun, fun!

Day 6 – Lake District Challenge
The perfect competition to end your week in the Lake District. This fun filled challenge is packed with games, activities and challenges including archery, raft building, problem solving and orienteering. A great way to round off the activity week on a high... especially if your team win!

Day 7 – Free Day
Today we have left free for you to head off on your own to explore the area or arrange some additional activities (bookable and payable locally).

Day 8 – Time to say goodbye!
Your activity week in the Lake District has now come to an end and it’s time to return home – hopefully with some great memories and new friends!

Our activity centre is located at the head of the stunningly beautiful Borrowdale Valley in the Lake District National Park. The centre offers a large range of outdoor activities and is operated in an environmentally responsible and community friendly manner. The centre’s management prides itself on employing local people on long-term contracts, allowing staff to stay resident in this beautiful area. All of the centre’s instructors and staff are briefed on responsible travel and use of the environment, in turn passing on this message to the many customers.

They are also familiar with the local area to such an extent that they carefully select activity sites and ensure that numbers are controlled to prevent erosion of the natural habitat through overuse.

The centre uses only produce provided by local suppliers, thus providing only the freshest produce for its customers whilst supporting the local economy. The centre has an active recycling programme, which all staff and customers are briefed in and encouraged to use. Each year the staff monitor the centre’s energy consumption and investments are made in new energy saving appliances and procedures. The ideal location in the heart of Borrowdale means that use of transport for activities can be kept to a minimum. If transport is needed local companies are used to help boost the local economy.

The centre works closely with the National Trust, the National Park Authority, the local community and other nearby outdoor centres to ensure that the local area and activity sites are managed thoughtfully, with any environmental impact kept to a minimum. The centre is also a key member of the Borrowdale User Group (BUG), through which they assist in reporting and informing other users about any areas of concern and implement plans to deal with any current or potential problems.