Why book a winter residential?

We all know that the weather in winter can be somewhat unpredictable, but this shouldn’t put you off from booking a residential school trip in those cooler months. There are many benefits to booking a residential trip in the autumn and winter terms, and it can be cheaper out of season too, making it accessible to more students! Take a look at our top reasons why you should book a winter school residential.

Frosty woodlands can be the perfect location to spot some interesting wildlife. As different animals venture out in the winter months, there’s always something new to see.

Argoed Lwyd is located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, surrounded by dramatic landscapes featuring caves, rivers, mountains and waterfalls to explore. There’s also plenty of wildlife to engage with across the national park, including bat detecting and moth trapping. Why not listen out for a tawny owl - these owls are noisiest in December, so you might have a chance of hearing them whilst out in daylight!

Alternatively, through New Forest Exploration at Calshot or Tile Barn you could try and spot some foxes as they slink around the forest. Did you know that foxes have around 8 different sounds, calling out mostly in the winter breeding season. Outdoor activities are a great way to encourage environmental awareness and develop social responsibility for the environment.

The night’s drawing in provides a great opportunity for some moonlit adventures. Take your science lesson outside and try star gazing to spot some mesmerising constellations - look out for the Big Dipper and Orion. Or why not sit around the campfire sharing stories and memories of the day to help students bond. Wrap up warm and get cosy with a cup of hot chocolate or a toasted marshmallow and listen out for the surrounding wildlife. Our centres offer great accommodation for school groups to camp or bunk together, building students’ independence as they stay away from home.

An activity perfect for winter is caving at Argoed Lwyd, as the cave systems maintain the same temperature the whole year round! Tunnel through the natural caves that are full of natural geological wonders. Winter is also a great time to head out on a mountain walk or to explore the valleys and their dramatic colourful landscapes. Both of these activities at Argoed Lwyd are a great way to encourage teamwork and resilience.

Start the term on a high by building connections between students and encouraging the development of soft skills, leaving them prepared and excited for the term ahead. It can be daunting going back to school after the summer holidays! Children have lost their routine and can feel anxious and unsettled starting a new school year - starting the term with a fun residential trip could help to settle those anxieties and build a sense of team spirit within the class.

Outdoor activities are a great way to build upon skills for the future, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, self-confidence and recognising risk. Climbing at all of our centres is a great way to encourage students to work together and motivate each other while reaching new heights. Or pedal around the track at Calshot to develop a spirit of determination in the face of challenge, testing their concentration and agility.

Is there a subject you’re teaching that would be great to get outdoors and show students the real deal? You could explore the biodiversity of the forest at Tile Barn or demonstrate the forces of wind used to move a sailing boat at Calshot. Make the most of your residential by visiting both historical and geological sites by kayak at Runway’s End. Relish in the mountainous environment of Argoed Lwyd and engage in geography fieldwork around glaciation, forestry or sustainable tourism. All of our programmes are tailored to the curriculum needs of your school, demonstrating activities in real life that can inspire students and help them to better visualise their learning.