List of Activities

Caving and Mine Exploration – (Nenthead Mines, Garrigill Mines, Tyne Bottom, Small Cluegh) Most people have this vision that caving is all about squeezing through long dark passages with arms outstretched moving only by your toes and finger tips..... Well, it's not! (Though it can be if you want it...) Caving offers the excitement of exploration and discovery. Caving is all about variety, and a lot of it is doing what your mother would probably be horrified at, crawling around in mud, getting yourself wet, climbing up and down ropes and wire ladders. Great fun and excitement guaranteed!
Canoeing – (Talkin Tarn Brampton, Kielder Water, Hexham Tyne Green) From early days, the canoe was part of the process of survival, transporting furs and goods across vast continents. Today it is the ideal tool to get away from it all and enjoy nature to the full. There is always scope for excitement by building in a race, slalom or choosing a river that has some rapids to offer. (Depending on experience) For the more advanced paddler, canoe camp trips can be organised: what an adventure! Getting away from the cities, paddling along rivers with all resources you need to survive packed on board! We now run BCU Paddle Power start and advanced courses - please get in touch for details.
Orienteering & Navigation – (Deneholme grounds, Allendale, North Pennines) Orienteering involves the use of maps and compasses plus lots of different kinds of clues to plan and find one's way around villages, pine-fringed reservoirs, along scenic rivers or over the mountain tops overlooking green valleys. Navigation is easy - you don't need an A-Level in maths or geography to do well on our orienteering sessions. It can be made an exciting activity by introducing a "good old" treasure hunt! Everybody's favourite!
Kayaking – (Talkin Tarn Brampton, Kielder Water, Hexham Tyne Green) A great individual water sport. As skills gradually grow, more challenging waters can be paddled. A rewarding sport for any young person enjoying a challenge and water sports. Kayaking builds on patience & understanding, technical skills and rewards the courage of every young person facing up to the challenge with a great and unforgettable experience. We also offer Kayaking star awards, which are nationally recognised awards from the British Canoeing Union. A one star Award course will last for one day, a two star course for 2 days and a 3 star course will be another two days, including a river trip. Please contact us, if you would like to arrange such a course for your organisation or even join in one of our open courses.
Rock Climbing and Abseiling – (Peel Crag & Crag Lough on Hadrian's Wall) Rock climbing is an inherently team-building sport..... Picture this: A team composed of four young people .....a climber, a belayer and two back-up belayers. The goal is to get the climber safely up and down the specified route. Here's where it gets interesting.... the team learns the safety checks and signals they need to know before beginning. Checks and signals are done...the climber begins. Climbing up, nervously, cautiously.....the belayer says, “I've got you... don't worry”....the back-up belayers encourage the climber. Together, as a team, they get the climber to the top. An amazing adrenaline rush... but now, they have to lower the climber. Sometimes this is scarier than climbing up! The climber is successfully lowered, and the team has accomplished their goal. Now it's time to switch roles...
Mountain Biking – (Kielder forest, North Pennines, Hadrian's Wall, C2C route) The hidden jewel amongst mountain bikers is the area immediately surrounding Allendale, an area of "Outstanding Natural Beauty", boasting rides to suit all abilities. Northumberland provides excellent cycling because of the limited amount of traffic on the minor roads, the many little towns and villages on route. At Deneholme, we are spoilt with some of the most amazing cycle routes in the country. We are almost directly based on the C2C cycle route, the Hadrian's Wall cycle route is less than 15 minutes away and Kielder Forest with its newly developed trails just a short drive from here.
Survival & Bushcraft Training – (Deneholme grounds, 5 acres) A little more "raw" than our camp craft sessions is the "basic survival skills" training. A bit like Ray Mears who has become synonymous with survival and wilderness bushcraft. We restore his Robinson Crusoe approach to solving the problem of staying safe, warm and comfortable (well...), satisfied and most of all enjoying ourselves with the minimum of artificial equipment. Calling upon the best of both traditional skills from around the world and useful modern techniques we aim to encourage and nurture you as you begin a wonderful journey of rediscovery. A journey which will undoubtedly build up your confidence while opening your heart and giving you a new perception of the world around you.
Ghyll Scrambling and Gorge Walking – (Ash Gill) This is what your mother told you not to do in rivers. Jumping off waterfalls, abseiling down cliffs into plunge pools, sliding down rocks and most of all getting wet! Youth and adult groups from all over the NorthEast drive for almost two hours to get to this fantastic site - which is just 20 minutes drive from Deneholme: A beautiful ghyll, with waterfall jumps increasing in height, backwards slides and deep pools. A high level session that involves personal commitment and confidence. Pure adrenaline, a very exciting session.
Fell Walking – (North Pennines) The North Pennines are fell-walkers' paradise - open moorland, ancient roads, spectacular views. Learn navigation skills, sing songs, have lunch in an old ruin along the way and back at Deneholme, treat yourself to a hot shower, a delicious home cooked meal and an evening spent in front of the roaring fire. What a day to remember!
Archery – (Deneholme grounds) What a fantastic activity for all ages, levels of fitness and abilities - archery is a competitve, fun activity usually thoroughly enjoyed by all our guests. Whether it is about who sleeps in the top bunk, who gets the shower first, puddings or a bottle of champagne - archery settles it! On our grounds, we have plenty of space to have between 2 and 4 targets up at the same time, to minimise waiting time. Never tried archery? Give it a go! Our brand new competition equipment gives you all the resources you need - for the bull's eye!