We offer engaging & educational experiences through outdoor activities, holiday clubs and team building sessions.

At Lakeside we run activities and deliver courses for schools, universities, youth groups, corporate clients and the general public. We bring courses to life for you through exceptional instruction from our dedicated and inspirational team, all in a beautiful rural setting.

We take safety and safeguarding very seriously, if you would like copies of any risk assessments or associated policies then please email us at Lakeside@worc.ac.uk.

 

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Lakeside activities

  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Raft Building
  • Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
  • Open Water Swimming
  • Swim Safety
  • Power Boating
  • Abseil
  • Archery
  • Bush Craft
  • Climbing
  • Leap of Faith
  • Night Line
  • Zip Wire
  • Orienteering
  • Team Games

Please note there is currently a maximum operational weight limit of 100kg for the Leap of Faith and 111kg for Climbing, Abseiling, Big Zip Wire and Small Zip Wire.

As per legislative and standard industry practice all adult participants will be weighed prior to taking part, this ensures we can avoid having to single participants out. This process is managed sensitively, always ensuring 1-1 privacy and participants at any point can opt out of these activities and choose something different if they prefer.

On occasion it may be necessary for us to weigh u18s. However, this will be discussed with parent/carer or group lead at point of booking.

As a result, please ensure you are selecting activities accordingly in line with above and conveying this information to your group members where necessary.

Participants will also not be able to take part in rope-based activities unless all rings and jewellery are temporarily removed.

If you have any questions regarding this process, then please do not hesitate to contact us Lakeside@worc.ac.uk

What we do   

General Public

Birthday parties and taster sessions

With a wealth of activities to choose from, why not visit Lakeside Campus for a taster session; a team bonding Away Day or maybe even that special birthday party.

Are you searching for more exciting and memorable birthday party ideas or fancy trying your hand at something new? Then look no further! Our fantastic Lakeside Campus is the perfect setting for birthday parties and taster lessons.

Whatever your age you can try your hand at any of our activities under the supervision of our skilled, qualified and friendly staff. They will make your birthday party one to remember and leave you wanting more, the only choice you have to make is which wonderful activities you will choose to take part in whilst with us.

Booking

Various fully catered packages available.

For more information contact us at: lakeside@worc.ac.uk.

Open water swimming

 open water swimmer

Lakeside sessions welcome all abilities and allow swimmers to train at their own pace around an accurately measured 500 metre course (and smaller 200m course within same permitter). Each session lasts for 2 hours and swimmers can complete as many or as few laps as they prefer.

Our experienced & qualified lifeguards are always on hand to ensure your safety and our robust management and testing systems ensure that our lake is prepared for your swim.

Start: May (dependent on water temperature)

End: July (dependent on water temperature)

Mondays 6pm-8pm and Saturdays 8am-10am.

Swimmer Safety Information - Please read prior to attending

Book your swim

Accredited courses

 first aid training in action

These packages offer participants the opportunity to learn a skill and gain National Governing Body Qualifications (NGBs).

For students of all ages whether undertaking Physical Education, Duke of Edinburgh Award (D of E) or any other outdoor adventurous activity course.

Training will consist of both practical and theory sessions to cover all aspects of the award, successful participants will receive an NGB qualification. This can be arranged over the space of one day or multiple sessions to suit your school timetable. Please contact us about availability. See our extensive list of qualifications below. Please call the campus for more details.

Adult and Junior first aid and safety courses

  • First Aid at Work – RQF Level 3 – 3 days
  • FAW Re-qualification – RQF Level 3 – 2 days
  • Emergency First Aid at Work – RQF Level 3 – 1 day
  • Outdoor First Aid – RQF Level 3 – 2 days
  • Paediatric First Aid – RQF Level 3 – 2 days
  • Paediatric Emergency First Aid – RQF Level 3 – 1 day
  • Safeguarding Children, Young People & Vulnerable Adults - RQF Level 3 - 1 day
  • First Aid for Mental Health (RQF Levels 1, 2 & 3)
  • Health and Safety in the Workplace (Level 1 & 2)
  • Fire Safety (Level 1, 2 and Fire Marshal) 
  • RLSS Water Safety Equipment Training

Adult and Junior

  • RLSS Open Water Lifeguard Full Course (3 days)
  • RLSS Open Water Lifeguard Bolt On (1 day)
  • British Canoeing – Paddlesport Instructor
  • British Canoeing – Foundation Safety and Rescue Training (FSRT)
  • British Canoeing – Personal Performance Awards (Start, Discover, Explore)
  • Royal Yachting Association – Powerboat Level 1 (1 day)
  • Royal Yachting Association – Powerboat Level 2 (2 days) 
  • Royal Yachting Association - Safety Boat Driver (2 days)

 To enquire or book please email us at lakeside@worc.ac.uk or call the team on 01905 54 30 40.

Events we can do

runners crossing the finish line

From superheroes on the lake to mud-soaked runners, we can cater for your event or help you with a private hire.

With first-class facilities, we are able to host your event and give your guests an experience they won’t forget!

Recent events we’ve hosted include:

  • Superhero Inflatables Challenge
  • Colour Run
  • Triathlons
  • School Games competition
  • Dirt Run
  • Regional Cyclocross Races
  • Swimathon

  • Duathlons

  • Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire Workplace Challenge

Booking

To host your next event or for private hire, please email us at lakeside@worc.ac.uk or call the team on 01905 54 30 40.

School holiday clubs

Experience the great outdoors during half term breaks and school summer holidays.

The University of Worcester presents a series of fun-packed Holiday Clubs. Held during half term breaks and school holidays, treat your children to quality time playing in the great outdoors under the careful guidance of our qualified and friendly instructors.

Whether it’s canoeing on the lake, soaring on a zip line or testing your bush craft skills - there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Typical activities will include canoeing, archery, raft building, bush craft and much more…

Please note:

  • Holiday Club is suitable for ages 6 - 14yrs
  • Timetable is subject to change depending on weather conditions and numbers booked
  • Order of timetable will change when running more than one group in a day
  • The holiday club will run from 09:00 – 15:00, Parents/Carers please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before the start/end time and depart soon thereafter once you have physically signed your child/children in/out from our registers.
  • Please ensure all children attend appropriately dressed, have suitable outer clothing for predicted weather conditions, bring a towel and spare shoes in the event we go on or in the water.
  • Please also ensure your child brings sufficient food, snacks and drink to keep them sustained during an ‘active’ day.
  • Please do not allow your child to bring Phones, Jewellery or Valuables – if these are found they will be removed and stored in a locked safe until collection at the end of the day.
  • Please do not attend if you, or anyone in your household has, or has been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or other cold/flu like symptoms.
  • Please be aware, if you book the same day each week, the activities are likely to be repeated. However, if you book a Monday-Thursday (4-day programme), your child may participate in all our fun and adventurous activities at Lakeside Campus.

Example programme.

Book Online

Packages for Schools

Team building

pupils taking on an obstical course

This package is an ideal solution for teachers looking to help students raise their attainment levels and develop leadership and communication qualities.

Created for schools that want to develop students in a number of different life skills that can improve confidence, resilience, team work and behaviour.

We use a range of problem solving exercises/ challenges to link activity scenarios to real emotions of day-to-day living with the goal of improving personal attributes such as:

  • Team strategies
  • Problem solving
  • Leadership skills
  • Resolving conflict
  • Self confidence
  • Resilience Self esteem
  • Mental health
  • Communication

We understand that each group of people is different and requires bespoke programming and detail, which is why each course we run is tailor-made to suit the requirements of your group and individuals.

We have fully qualified, experienced instructors to facilitate sessions and mentor various aspects of group structure and team development skills.

Entry level:

This option is designed for newly formed teams/ groups of people that have different ideas. We will teach and coach the team to look at things from other people’s perspectives and start discussing ideas towards the right solution for the problems at hand. We use a range of team building activities to help develop communication skills.

Development skills:

This option is designed for teams/ groups of people that have been together for some time but require some training needs analysis and further coaching to improve team skills and ability. We will coach, mentor and review practise through the implementation of facilitation theories to assist in the development of healthy discussions to understand group dynamics and ascertain strengths rather than weaknesses. We will use a range of basic and advanced challenges to help them grow.

Bushcraft school

This package is focused towards primary and secondary students.

We start by engaging and motivating students into achievable tasks and activities in our developing woodland environment. Each participant will be given opportunities to develop intrinsic motivational and social skills through self-awareness to enhance emotional growth, imagination and senses to reach their personal potential.

Our Bushcraft School programme gives an opportunity to learn about and through the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use own imagination and initiative to solve problems, work and communicate with others. Our programme runs throughout the year (except in severe weather conditions). We teach children to use tools, play, and learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self-motivated.

Each student will be sure to get their hands dirty as we go: hunting for bugs, pond dipping, on woodland walks, planting trees and building with natural materials.

We aim to develop:

  • Self awareness
  • Self-regulation
  • Intrinsic motivation
  • Empathy
  • Good social communication skills
  • Independence
  • A positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence

We apply an Accelerated Learning technique to create a unique learning vehicle that is used to encourage young individuals to utilise their local, open space for interactive play, health, recreation and personal development. We promise that each and every participant will thoroughly enjoy and learn from this positive experience.

Optional:

Schools can choose to end the Bushcraft day with an adventurous activity. Additionally, photos of their experience/ achievements will make it an even more memorable day.

Multi-activity sessions

This package is focused towards primary and secondary students.

The University of Worcester Lakeside Campus has one of the largest range of both land and water based adventure activities available in one location in the Midlands. This is aimed at schools and students requiring action packed adventure. We will assist you in choosing suitable activities for your group and then facilitate the finer details with you to support you in planning your day. We promise your time with us will be full of fun, adventure, laughter and learning.

Our training centre has a range of activities both land and water based which include:

Land:
  • Zip wire
  • Archery
  • Orienteering/ scavenger hunt
  • Team challenges
  • Bushcraft/ Forest School
  • Nightline
  • Nature Detectives
  • Rescue Challenges
Water:
  • Raft building
  • Kayaking
  • Canoeing
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
  • Power Boating
Other activity ideas:

We can also offer a range of additional activities to bring an extra dimension to your day. Depending on dates and availability, such activities include: farm tours, river trips, wood craft skills, animal and insect identification and more.

Residential

Self-lead camping at the University of Worcester Lakeside campus perfect for schools, scouts, guides and youth groups.

Bring your own tents or use ours and stay in our purpose built camping facility overlooking the lakes, with accessible shower and toilet facilities and space for staff or group leaders.

After a full day of land and water based activities, wind down by sitting around our fire pit and relax in the great outdoors.

We can provide fully catered residential options including breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as full and half week activity packages.

Please note:

Overnight accommodation at Lakeside Campus is reserved only for schools and youth groups and is unfortunately not for use by the general public, but do take a look at all the great offerings and services we do have; designed just for you, your friends, family and work colleagues.

Booking

For more information on these packages contact us at: lakeside@worc.ac.uk

 

 

Kit List

You can download a lit of suitable kit to bring here.

Price List 

For our latest prices, please see our price list.

Terms and Conditions.

We're Here To Help!

If you'd like to get in touch, please call our helpful team on 01905 54 30 40 or email lakeside@worc.ac.uk

 

University of Worcester
Lakeside Campus
Worcester Road
Holt Heath
Worcestershire
WR6 6NH

Facebook: /uwlakeside
Instagram: @uwlakeside 

 

Directions

Find us just 5 miles from the centre of Worcester (WR6 6NH).

Lakeside Campus directions