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Trip Information

Information for Schools and Group Leaders

How Stean Gorge is situated in the Yorkshire Dales. We offer exciting, challenging and educational outdoor adventure programmes in a safely managed environment. You can choose from the packages outlined in this guide or we will tailor a bespoke itinerary for your visit. How Stean Gorge has been increasingly used by thousands of students from primary and secondary schools and colleges from across the UK.

A Special Location

The Gorge, a spectacular steep sided limestone chasm almost 1 km in length and up to 26 metres (80ft) deep in places, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, located in Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – an ideal location where you can learn and grow! How Stean Gorge is a natural playground to explore not just observe. There’s the ravine and dark caves to investigate and an orienteering trail to complete. Our most popular packages take place right here at How Stean Gorge so there’s no need for transport once you have arrived. Rock climbing, canoeing and caving further afield can be arranged on request.

Planning a visit

We offer 3, 4, and 5-Day, Multi activity residentials. Most popular is our 3 Day Package. Here is a Sample 3-day Itinerary:

  Day 1  Day 2  Day 3 
9.00-10.00  xxx  Breakfast  Breakfast 
10.00-12.30  xxx  Via Ferrata  Orienteering 
12.30 – 13.30  Arrival and Briefing  Lunch  Lunch 
13.30-16.00  Caving  Gorge Walking  Depart 
17.00-18.00  Dinner  Dinner  xxx 
18.00 – 20.00  Local Walk  Camp Fire  xxx 

Longer, more intrepid residential packages can be created to suit a l groups. Bolt-ons include: Climbing at Brimham Rocks Canoeing and Hill Walking excursions.

ABSEILING – is a controlled descent down a rock face or from a structure into free hanging space. At How Stean we abseil off the bridge at the start of the gorge walking session.

GORGE WALKING – Wade through gushing water, slide through water spouts, scramble up waterfalls and float and swim through deep rock pools.

HOW STEAN CAVES – Explore the underground passages of Nidderdale. Accessed from unexpected places around our site, you will find yourself wading, climbing, sliding, crawling and shuffling underground.

VIA FERRATA – One of only three in the UK! Clip yourself on to an aerial network of metal beams, ladders and cables set in the rocks to help you climb and traverse the cliffs of the gorge.

VISITOR ATTRACTION – (Free on Residentials) Armed with a map, hard hat and torch follow winding walkways, cross narrow bridges, explore Tom Taylors cave and How Stean tunnel. Don’t forget your wellies! Orienteering trail included. WALKING FROM

HOW STEAN – Stride with purpose! Take an orienteering map and search the dale for clues, enjoy the views of an active agricultural landscape, learn navigation skills on the hills and dales.

EVENING ACTIVITIES – (Available during residential) Choose from an evening walk up to Middlesmoor, orienteering challenge in the gorge, scavenger hunt, bushcraft, night walk or toast marshmallows on a group campfire. Each followed by hot chocolate and a biscuit before bedtime.

LOCAL VENUES – (Available at no extra cost, if you have your own Transport)

CANOEING AT SCARHOUSE RESERVOIR (12min drive) With special permission from Yorkshire Water we can canoe on the spectacular Reservoir near the Source of the River Nidd. See the ruins of the town that was built to build the Dam.

CAVING IN MANCHESTER HOLE AND GOYDEN POT – (6min drive) Explore two of the Norths best group caves, they’ve got bits of everything, Huge chambers, shallow pools, narrow slots, low crawls, boulder jams, steep slopes and pebbly underground streams.

(Available as a BOLT ON, if you have your own Transport)

CLIMBING AT BRIMHAM ROCKS (30min drive) Explore another Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), by climbing, abseiling and bouldering at Brimham Rocks, this geological marvel is justifiably famous for its rock formations.

CANOEING JOURNEYS AND EXPEDITIONS – Canoe sections of the Rivers Ure and Ouse between Ripon and York on 1-, 2- or 3-day Expeditions.

CAVING IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DALES – Take on the ultra-classic caving adventure of Long Churns with the world-famous cheese press. Take on Great Douk, and exit through the limestone pavement in the shadow of Ingleborough.

How Stean Gorge has a core commitment to providing safe and exciting adventures. We provide the highest quality equipment to keep everyone safe and comfortable. All equipment is:

• Carefully selected and sourced from the industries top brands.

• Well maintained and regularly Inspected by Certified PPE inspectors.

We work with our technical advisors, professional organisations and national governing bodies for all our activities to ensure we have a robust process to promote the safest practice and minimise risk. We are proud to have continually held our Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) license for over a decade. Risk Assessments, AALA license and Outdoor Education Advisory Panel (OEAP) provider statements are available on request.

How Stean Gorge offers a wide range of outdoor activities suitable for primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges. Many activities are delivered directly on site, allowing groups to move between sessions without transport.

Commonly delivered activities include gorge walking, abseiling, caving, Via Ferrata, orienteering, team challenges, and guided walks. Off-site activities such as canoeing or climbing can be included where appropriate and are planned in advance.

Residential programmes are typically structured around two to three activity sessions per day, with evening activities available for groups staying overnight. These may include night walks, navigation exercises, or group problem-solving tasks.

Programmes are designed to be progressive, allowing pupils to build confidence and familiarity with the environment over the course of the visit. Timetables are agreed in advance and adjusted on site if required due to weather or group needs.

More information below:

Our School and Colleges Guide contains lots useful information about our day and residential visits including sample programs, pricing, activity options etc.

School & Colleges Guide

There’s so many exciting activities to experience at How Stean Gorge. We want everyone to have an amazing time and be as safe as possible.  How Stean Gorge is a natural wonder – it’s the real thing – no artificial caves here!  Our friendly professional team are all qualified to lead groups in this safely managed environment.

The risk assessment summaries below hold all the important information regarding our adventure activities license reference, insurance details, mini bus operators license etc. The purpose of this summary is to satisfy clients that our risk analysis and management schemes are adequately robust.

These documents are available to view or download below:

AALA License

A lot goes on behind the scenes to make your experience here a safe one.

At How Stean Gorge we have 100’s of PPE items to safety check periodically (and on a daily basis) all throughout the year. Ranging from carabiners, first aid kits and climbing nuts to full Via Ferrata Inspections and Climbing Wall anchor pull tests.

Every single item has its own unique identifier and serial numbers with set dates for items to be documented so nothing can be missed. All of our equipment has to pass a thorough examination by our instructors, who have been trained to spot wear and defects.

We invest in an great piece of software from GearLog to manage this process. Every time an inspection is made or a shiny piece of equipment enters service it records the user, when and what actions have been taken. Updates are sent directly to Centre Managers & Company Directors.

There is ‘NO’ dodging the system, documents cant get lost and no corners cut when it comes to your safety and experience with How Stean Gorge. For more information and up-to-date news, visit our Facebook page.

All activity sessions are led by experienced How Stean Gorge instructors who are familiar with the site, activities, and local conditions. Instructor-to-participant ratios are managed according to activity type, group age, and ability.

School staff remain responsible for pastoral care and behaviour management, working alongside How Stean instructors throughout the visit. Clear roles and responsibilities are agreed in advance.

All technical and safety equipment required for activities is provided, including wetsuits, buoyancy aids, helmets, harnesses, and head torches where needed. Equipment is checked regularly and selected to suit the age and size of participants.

 

Residential groups are accommodated in on-site lodges and bunkhouse accommodation suitable for a range of group sizes. Accommodation is available year-round and provides indoor communal space for evening activities and downtime.

A central facilities block includes toilets, individual shower cubicles, and underfloor heating. Groups have access to drying areas for wetsuits and outdoor clothing.

How Stean Gorge provides catering through the on-site café. Meal packages can include breakfast, packed lunches, evening meals, and snacks. Dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice, including allergies and special diets.

A member of How Stean staff is on call overnight during residential stays to support group leaders if required.

Please see our school menu – School Menu

 

Groups are required to bring a packed lunches with them on the first day of their residential visit. We’ll take care of all other meals, taking care of any special dietary requirements that members in your group might have!

Sample Menu – 3-Day residential


Day 1

Dinner – Pork or Vegan Herbed Sausage, peas and Fries

Supper – Cookie/Biscuit and Hot Chocolate

Day 2

Breakfast – Bacon or egg roll

Lunch – Sausage or Vegan Sausage Roll, crisps and fruit

Dinner – Vanilla ice cream, marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Supper – Cookie/Biscuit and Hot Chocolate

Day 3

Breakfast – Pan Au Chocolat and Cereal

Lunch – Ham or cheese sandwich, crisps, fruit and chocolate bar

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Hands-on outdoor adventures, shared together.

Book Your School Activity Day Today

Spaces for school residentials and educational trips at How Stean Gorge fill quickly. Please get in touch with our team to secure your preferred date and give your students a truly unforgettable outdoor adventure.