Expeditions like no other
- The Rùm Ranger: a wildlife conservation trip to the Inner Hebrides
- The History Hike: hiking, camping and archaeology in Northumberland
- The Cairngorm Explorer: a mountain skills and hillwalking expedition to the Cairngorm mountains.
- Coasts and Castles: a camping, history and wildlife trip to the Farne Islands
- The Highland Hike: a character-building trek down the Great Glen
- The History Hike: hiking, camping and archaeology in Northumberland
- The Cairngorm Explorer: a mountain skills and hillwalking expedition to the Cairngorm mountains.
- Coasts and Castles: a camping, history and wildlife trip to the Farne Islands
- The Highland Hike: a character-building trek down the Great Glen
Rùm Ranger [10-18th July, 2022]
A true expedition, the Rùm Ranger is now open to parents too! With a brand new programme for Summer 2022, we're inviting adventurous adults to join their children on a journey to one of the UK's wildest corners: the Isle of Rùm in the Hebrides. Don't worry though adults, whilst the bulk of the experience will be enjoyed together as a group, we've built in several parent-only alternative activities throughout the week from sea kayaking through the Arisaig Skerries to an overnight stay in a bothy on the far side of the island and even a tour of the island's brand new rum distillery: Askival.
Leaving London on Sunday evening in the luxurious Caledonian Sleeper, you'll be transported to the western highlands, waking up as the train crosses the huge expanse of Rannoch Moor. Arriving in Fort William, the UK's outdoor capital, we'll enjoy a hearty breakfast and a last minute kit inspection before travelling by train on the 'track to the isles', alighting at the stunning fishing village of Arisaig. Here the children will enjoy archery and a trip the Land, Sea and Islands Museum whilst the adults get to try their hand at sea kayaking around the skerries, looking for seals and harbour porpoises - don't worry, they're not hard to find! Once reunited, we'll enjoy a night's camping on the mainland before taking the boat over to the Jurassic Park-like Isle of Rùm in the morning.
Once on the island, we'll drop our kit at the island's state of the art bunkhouse before meeting up with Kim for lunch, one of the islanders who will be looking after us during our stay. Whilst on the island, we'll be undertaking a diverse programme of activities from day hikes to snorkelling, visiting the salmon farm, castle and otter hide, enjoying talks from the island's ranger and visiting the world's oldest mammal study centre: the Red Deer Research Centre at Kilmory where you'll get to take part in a tailor-made workshop learning about the deer. Locals will show you how to catch and prepare lobster, crab and langoustine which you can enjoy after a bagpipe display. Of course, no trip is complete without a ceilidh: traditional Scottish dancing.
Returning to the mainland towards the end of the week, we'll travel to Glen Nevis before a day hike up the 'ben'. Having hopefully summited Ben Nevis - the highest peak in the UK - we'll enjoy a well-earned supper back at camp before our final day where you'll have the option to hike up to an Iron Age Hill Fort with views over the glen and of Ben Nevis or to take the Jacobite Express (the train used for the filming of Harry Potter) over the Glen Finnan viaduct, with stops to explore the local area - not least the fishing village of Mallaig which claims to have the best fish and chips in the highlands. That evening we'll take the sleeper back to London, pulling into Euston at 07:47 on Monday 18th July having truly had the adventure of a lifetime.
Note: This trip is for families. Each family must include at least one adult and have no more than six people in total.
Leaving London on Sunday evening in the luxurious Caledonian Sleeper, you'll be transported to the western highlands, waking up as the train crosses the huge expanse of Rannoch Moor. Arriving in Fort William, the UK's outdoor capital, we'll enjoy a hearty breakfast and a last minute kit inspection before travelling by train on the 'track to the isles', alighting at the stunning fishing village of Arisaig. Here the children will enjoy archery and a trip the Land, Sea and Islands Museum whilst the adults get to try their hand at sea kayaking around the skerries, looking for seals and harbour porpoises - don't worry, they're not hard to find! Once reunited, we'll enjoy a night's camping on the mainland before taking the boat over to the Jurassic Park-like Isle of Rùm in the morning.
Once on the island, we'll drop our kit at the island's state of the art bunkhouse before meeting up with Kim for lunch, one of the islanders who will be looking after us during our stay. Whilst on the island, we'll be undertaking a diverse programme of activities from day hikes to snorkelling, visiting the salmon farm, castle and otter hide, enjoying talks from the island's ranger and visiting the world's oldest mammal study centre: the Red Deer Research Centre at Kilmory where you'll get to take part in a tailor-made workshop learning about the deer. Locals will show you how to catch and prepare lobster, crab and langoustine which you can enjoy after a bagpipe display. Of course, no trip is complete without a ceilidh: traditional Scottish dancing.
Returning to the mainland towards the end of the week, we'll travel to Glen Nevis before a day hike up the 'ben'. Having hopefully summited Ben Nevis - the highest peak in the UK - we'll enjoy a well-earned supper back at camp before our final day where you'll have the option to hike up to an Iron Age Hill Fort with views over the glen and of Ben Nevis or to take the Jacobite Express (the train used for the filming of Harry Potter) over the Glen Finnan viaduct, with stops to explore the local area - not least the fishing village of Mallaig which claims to have the best fish and chips in the highlands. That evening we'll take the sleeper back to London, pulling into Euston at 07:47 on Monday 18th July having truly had the adventure of a lifetime.
Note: This trip is for families. Each family must include at least one adult and have no more than six people in total.
SPACES 2022
The History Hike [7-10th July, 2022]
After a busy term and special end of year assembly, what better way to begin the summer holiday than to escape London for a few nights in the wilds of Northumberland? Leaving the PGB once the end of term assembly has finished, we head up to the stunningly scenic and most sparsely populated county in England: Northumberland. Camping just below the highest point on Hadrian's Wall, the one-time northern frontier of the Roman Empire, you will enjoy a sun-set supper like no other, with 360 degrees views over the dramatic countryside and, of course, the wall which winds its way over the Eastern and Western horizons.
Waking on Friday, we'll hike through the fields to Vindolanda Roman Fort which, still being excavated, hosts some of the more exciting archaeological finds anywhere in the Roman Empire. You'll enjoy a tour from one of the site's archaeologists and you'll get to explore the sprawling fort and reconstructed turrets. After lunch and a visit to the site's shop - don't forget to bring some pocket money - we'll be back on the trail. We'll hike through Housesteads Fort and along the wall to the famous 'Sycamore Gap' where 90s heartthrob Kevin Costner took on the Sheriff of Nottingham's soldiers in the cult classic, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. After a supper of local fayre at the renowned Twice Brewed Inn, we'll take part in an astronomy lesson with experts from the Royal Astrological Society. Northumberland's National Park being the darkest sky site in the UK and second in Europe - where better to peer through the telescopes at the drama above?
Saturday brings a day hike West to the Roman Army Museum where you'll get hands-on with Roman weaponry as well as take part in a Latin lesson delivered by a Roman hologram and, not to mention, enjoy an epic 3D film about what it would have been like on the wall during Roman times. All that's left is to break camp on Sunday and return to the metropolis.
Waking on Friday, we'll hike through the fields to Vindolanda Roman Fort which, still being excavated, hosts some of the more exciting archaeological finds anywhere in the Roman Empire. You'll enjoy a tour from one of the site's archaeologists and you'll get to explore the sprawling fort and reconstructed turrets. After lunch and a visit to the site's shop - don't forget to bring some pocket money - we'll be back on the trail. We'll hike through Housesteads Fort and along the wall to the famous 'Sycamore Gap' where 90s heartthrob Kevin Costner took on the Sheriff of Nottingham's soldiers in the cult classic, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. After a supper of local fayre at the renowned Twice Brewed Inn, we'll take part in an astronomy lesson with experts from the Royal Astrological Society. Northumberland's National Park being the darkest sky site in the UK and second in Europe - where better to peer through the telescopes at the drama above?
Saturday brings a day hike West to the Roman Army Museum where you'll get hands-on with Roman weaponry as well as take part in a Latin lesson delivered by a Roman hologram and, not to mention, enjoy an epic 3D film about what it would have been like on the wall during Roman times. All that's left is to break camp on Sunday and return to the metropolis.
SPACES 2022
The Cairngorm Explorer [25th - 31st Mar., 2022]
A thrilling winter mountain skills escape to the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland. The trip includes winter hill walking experiences led by qualified staff in some of the most dramatic scenery in northern Britain. The young adventurers will visit the UK's only re-wilded reindeer herd, the mythical 'Green Loch' as well as experience a night's wild camping in the dramatic Rothiemurchus Forest.
SPACES 2022
Coasts and Castles
An action-packed weekend exploring the uniquely stunning Northumbrian coastline as well as the seal-strewn shores of the Farne Islands. The trip includes a dramatic barefoot crossing of the Lindisfarne causeway before we follow in the footsteps of both Vikings and Henry VIII's reformists with a visit to the captivating Lindisfarne Priory. We circumnavigate the mighty fortress of Bamburgh and learn about the village's heroine: Grace Darling, before ourselves visiting the famous site where she saved the unfortunate mariners. No history trip is complete without a ghost story and Chillingham Castle certainly puts a 'chill' in the spine! The trip involves day hiking and is excellent fun for beginners as well as those interested in history and/or wildlife.
The Highland Hike
A week spent in Britain's greatest wilderness: the Scottish Highlands. Arriving into Inverness on the Caledonian sleeper, you'll be greeted by the moors of Culloden through your window. Spend the week hiking and camping down the Great Glen taking in the jaw-dropping sights of Lochs Ness, Oich and Lochy. Visit ancient castles and look for the infamous Loch Ness Monster! We finish the week by summiting the mighty Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. This trip is perfect for those who enjoy hiking in the great outdoors and wish to challenge themselves.
