The children have come away with an unforgettable experience thank you!” Middle School Teacher
Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning
“I just wanted to say again how amazing today was. It was such an excellent experience and the things you discussed with them were perfect for our enquiry-based learning on National Parks. We will definitely be returning next year! On the return home the children all collectively agreed it was the best school trip EVER!" Primary School Teacher
The centre was perfect for our needs. We wanted to give the Y8 pupils an idea of Exmoor and why it is a National Park. Pinkery was a great starting point particularly sending them straight off on the orienteering course. . The stay was perfectly rounded off with climbing in the Valley of the Rocks. Thank you!” Prep School Teacher
The team were absolutely superb and it was quite honestly one of the best trips I've ever done. We felt safe and had the best time too! We will definitely be back in the future, thank you for such a wonderful experience for our children. Primary School Teacher
Pinkery is Exmoor National Park’s off-grid Centre for Outdoor Learning, set in its own wild moorland valley over 400 metres above sea level valley in the heart of Exmoor's Dark Skies Reserve. Built as an upland farmhouse, the original building has been expanded to create a unique moorland residential Centre, that has been providing unforgettable experiences for young people since 1969 and continues to work with teachers to ensure that every new generation is inspired by the landscape and atmosphere of Exmoor National Park. We welcome groups from Key Stage 1 to University and beyond.
Pinkery is also available to hire to private groups of families and friends as a unique, off-grid self catering base to Explore Exmoor. Find out more here.
Pinkery is an ideal venue for a structured and supported trip that will enable young people to learn and explore as well as connect with nature and each other. . By providing an experience where everyone can grow, there is the opportunity to explore, develop and create new memories that have a lifelong impact. Our experienced staff can link our programmes to your needs and provide an extraordinary experience. Sessions can be based entirely at Pinkery or across Exmoor, making the most of our incredible environment.
Pinkery is entirely off grid, powered by wind and sun. So can provide schools with a low carbon option where young people can experience practical sustainability as an integral part of their stay.
Pinkery can accommodate groups of up to 36 students and 8 staff on a self-catered or fully catered basis. You can see a floor plan of the building here to give you an idea of the layout.
We offer activities on site including our low ropes course, archery, problem solving, bush craft and grass sledging. We are Europe’s first Dark Skies reserve, with opportunities for an evening of breath-taking stargazing. Using some of the these activities we can theme days to include team building, cooperation and leadership. These may be useful to help galvanise a group and support reintroduction to school friendships and working relationships, develop prefects, support vulnerable pupils and raise self esteem. We are able to offer a wellbeing day visit where through workshops, activities and exploring the amazing surroundings we look at strategies to support positive mental health and the rejuvenating power of the outdoors.
KS2
We can offer bespoke packages to fit the needs of your KS2 group. These can be curriculum linked or as a celebration of the year. Residential stays are about creating profound experiences that produce lifelong memories so consider stays that last the whole week but we are happy to take shorter stays if that fits with the school structure.
KS3
KS3 is a great time to explore what we have to offer. We pride ourselves on an exciting and beneficial team building stay for Year 7 pupils to break the ice as a new cohort but equally we can work with your group and our partners to provide a longer stay to suit an activities week.
KS4, Post-16 and Further Education
We offer a great place to bring groups to study and interact away from the distractions of the normal school environment. This could be to develop self-confidence and teamwork, or for revision sessions. Access is available to a teaching space with supporting technology available on request. This can support the recovery agenda and when balanced with outdoor sessions prove highly motivational for students. You might consider a specialist workshop such as a Music weekend or to gain a greater insight into renewable technology from a carbon-neutral off-grid centre.
More Details Below
Example | More info | Key stage |
Discover Exmoor Day | An introduction to our National Park - Find out what National Parks are, and what makes Exmoor National Park special. Explore Pinkery Pond, the tunnel and the Chains and learn about how the National Park Manage and Enhance the historic landscape around the Old Royal Hunting Forest. | KS1/KS2/KS3 |
Mixed Activity Day | Take part in a range of activities based around the centre ranging from Archery to Mountain Boarding, Low Ropes to Grass Sledging. Bespoke packages according to group sizes and needs. | KS1/KS2/KS3/KS4 |
Climbing Day | Take part in a climbing session set in the spectacular Valley of Rocks. Learn the techniques required to climb and abseil under experienced instructors. A great day coupled with a coast path walk, funicular train ride and seashore safari in Lynmouth | KS2/KS3/KS4 |
Team Building Day | Using various problem solving, and team building activities develop cooperation and leadership skills. Explore different challenges including our Low Ropes Course to hone and celebrate skills and the different talents of the young people. | KS1/KS2/KS3/KS4/Post16 |
Simonsbath Day | Explore the impressive Birch cleave wood and undertake various bushcraft activities, including fire lighting and shelter building. Extend this with a walk along the majestic Barle to Wheal Eliza and explore Exmoor’s hidden industry | KS1/KS2/KS3 |
Sustainability | An introduction and exploration of the off-grid solutions at Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Learning; exploring the pros and cons of the various technologies and approaches adopted by Exmoor National Parks first fully carbon neutral operation. | KS3/KS4/Post 16 |
Please use this form to make an enquiry about a residental visit - One of the Team will get back to you as soon as they can.
Pinkery is off grid. We rely on our wind turbine and solar panels to generate electricity and batteries to store the energy and our wood boiler to keep us warm. A stay at Pinkery is an opportunity to both minimise the impact of a visit and to better understand sustainable technology .