News

The latest news from Ghyll Head

There's always so much going on here at Ghyll Head. Take a look at what we've been up to!

Festive Team Events 2024

We like to make Festive Team Events here at Ghyll Head a little different!
Our bespoke events are all tailored to your budget and timings. For just £60.00+VAT pp, we include:
  • Fun outdoor team activities
  • Home-cooked festive meal
  • Tipi camp fire with mulled wine and mince pies
  • Please do also speak with us about optional extras such as 
  • 3 course dinner
  • Overnight accommodation
  • POD Village accommodation
  • Transport to and from the centre for local groups
We still have availability for events in November and December 2024. From £60.00+VAT per person for a minimum of 10 participants.
For a full quote, or to book please call 015394 43751 or email ghyllhead@gll.org.

July 2024 - Outdoor learning and adventurous activity survey

Manchester City Council are developing a plan to improve outdoor adventure activities like canoeing, climbing, orienteering, and outdoor learning like Forest Schools, and Nature Walks, for all Manchester residents.

They would really like to know what outdoor activities and experiences you enjoy, how these could be better, and what else you would like to do in your area.

There are no right or wrong answers, so please just tell us what you think. Your participation in this survey is anonymous and we will not be collecting personal data.

Please select the survey most appropriate to you

CHILDREN 5-10-YEAR SURVEY

CHILDREN &  YOUNG PEOPLE SURVEY

COMMUNITY SURVEY

PARTNER SURVEY

Thank you for your input and support with this project, your thoughts are valued, and the time taken to respond to this survey is appreciated. 

Pod Bookings for 2024 now open

The Pod campsite has had a very busy year so far with a significant increase in visitors staying with us for their holidays. The feedback has been very positive especially around how quiet the site is, how clean the facilities are and how well it is suited for small family groups. We are pleased to announce that we have now opened the diary for 2024 bookings and for those looking for an earlybird discount you can use the code EARLYBIRD24 for a 10% discount of all bookings.
Pod Bookings

June 2023 - The Hive Pod Village is now on Booking.com!

We are delighted to announce that you can now find the Hive Pod Village on Booking.com!

Simply search 'The Hive Pod Village, Ghyll Head' with your selected dates to book your next trip. 

We appreciate all of you continued support,

the Ghyll Head Team

May 2023- Manchester Outdoor Education Trust Fundraiser Events

MOET is raising funds to support disabled children and young people to access Outdoor Adventurous Activities. Money raised will go to extending the ropes course at Ghyll Head and to adapt a sailing dinghy at Debdale Outdoor Centre. They have organised two exciting events that are open to anyone who wants to donate to a good cause and have some fun!

On Saturday 1st July at Ghyll Head Outdoor Education & Activity Centre the first challenge will be taking place. The challenge includes canoeing down Windermere from Ghyll Head and a hill walk back to the Centre. Kit will be provided, and activities led by qualified Instructors. If you would like to stay over at Ghyll Head for the social evening of food and entertainment, you can do so at a reduced cost of £25 per person, covering accommodation, breakfast, and a contribution to food on Saturday evening.

the second challenge will take place on Saturday 23 September at Debdale Outdoor Centre. We are looking to recruit teams (each team with 4 – 20 people) to compete in a dragon boat race. No experience needed and tuition provided by a qualified instructor.

To reserve a place for either of these events or to find out more information please email manchesteroutdooredtrust@gmail.com

September 2022 - Our brand new Low Ropes Course officially opened

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Donna Ludford opened our brand Low Ropes course at Ghyll Head Outdoor Education and Activity Centre on Friday 23rd September, the final installation in the overall £1.5 million investment project carried out at the centre over the last 18 months.

The main contributor and spearhead for the Low Ropes course project was Jeff Seneviratne with additional funding from Manchester Outdoor Education Trust (MOET), the We Love Manchester Charity and Manchester City Council.
Find out more

July 2022 - Join us for Manchester's Outdoor Team Challenge

We're proud to be hosting the Manchester Outdoor Team Challenge here at Ghyll Head on the 8th and 9th September 2022

The fundraiser for We Love MCR and Manchester Youth Zone will see teams of 6 to 8 taking part in a range of challenges testing their physical, mental and team building endurance.

To find out more email gerard.carter@manchester.gov.uk

April 2022 - The Hive Pod Village Opens

We're delighted that our brand new Pod Camping Village - The Hive - is now open for private individual bookings.  You can now enjoy a breakaway in one of our 9 heated pods which are nestled in our woodland area here at Ghyll Head. Pods can sleep up to 5 and some are pet friendly meaning all of the family can enjoy a visit!

Schools and groups can also now enjoy the experience of our Pod Village as part of residential stays - just speak to one of our friendly team amd they'll be able to talk through the options with you.

Find out more

December 2021 - The Kath Fry Challenge Returns

We're very much hoping to re-introduce the Kath Fry Challenge, our Inter Schools competition for Year 9 and Year 10 children, in January 2022 and schools have been contacted with details of this much loved event.. 

Challenges will take place on the following weekends - 7th to 9th January, 14th to 16th January and 23rd January 2022. 

July 2021 - The Lord Mayor of Manchester officially opens The Hive

We were delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Tommy Judge along with the Lady Mayoress, to Ghyll Head on 6th July to officially open The Hive, our brand new woodland camping Pod area. It was a very special day for us as we got to showcase the huge investment works that have been carried out at the centre as part of the £1.5million project, including the complete refurbishent of the Main House.
Read More

June 2021 - Our £1.5 million refurbishment is nearly complete!

The centre is undergoing a huge £1.5 million refurbishment project, which we started earlier this year. New and old visitors will love what we've done! Thanks to funding from Manchester City Council you'll soon find:

  • Modernisation of the main house to provide modern facilities 
  • Improved lighting and heating systems to support reduction in energy/costs 
  • New boilers, roof repairs, water heaters and LPG tanks
  • Full redecoration inside and out 
  • New beds bedding, furniture and soft furnishings
  • Brand new PODS, with a brand new toilet, shower and cooking cabin 
  • New community cabin for use as a flexible space
  • Bunk house with toilet and shower 
  • Lighting and power to pathways and community spaces
  • Replacement road barriers and repairs to walls
  • Ground Maintenance to all areas  
  • New and improved safety boat fleet
  • New equipment for school use such as outdoor wet weather wear
  • New gardening equipment 
  • New external signage to main entrance of house and boat house 

June 2021 - SEND Half Term Camps

After what seems like forever, we were finally able to welcome back our fabulous SEND camps during the late May Half Term. Our SEND Camps are always incredibly popular and thanks to generous funding from Cumbria County Council we were able to offer funded places to local families.  

Our families enjoyed a huge range of activities including:
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Archery
  • Lakes Visits
  • Zip Wire 
  • Climbing 
The weather was glorious, there's no better place to be than stunning Windermere at the best of times but just look at that sunshine!

We're not quite sure who had more fun - our team who were delighted to be back doing what they do best, or our fabulous children and their families.