Here at Merlin we offer outdoor pursuits including rock climbing, hill walking, mountaineering, kayaking, gorge walking and caving. We're based in Cardiff and have ready access to beautiful activity venues in South Wales and further afield.
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
Key Stage 4 (15-16)
At KS4, there has been a gradually burgeoning number of types of educational visits – foreign language school exchanges, cultural visits all over Europe and further afield, sports competitions, youth conferences, winter sports and adventurous activities in more extreme environments. The Duke of Edinburgh Award becomes available at 14 years old and continues to be offered for those up to 24 years of age, and pupils of many ages start work on specialist awards in areas such as mountaineering, sailing and river sports. This increase in venue variety has led to a proliferation of specialist companies catering for these activities.
The aims of history trips tend to be more focused in KS4, with study trips to the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation and the 1944 Normandy Landings often proving popular along with the 1815 Waterloo battlefield. Venues of this type are often catered for by specialist travel companies to ensure participants get the best experience available.
A lot of schools have a tradition of school trips with their choirs, orchestras and musical/theatre students. There are specialist companies that can help any school wishing to explore this possibility, and many venues have tailored activities for groups that can help improve performers’ confidence and motivation.
British schools have been the forerunners in Europe for undertaking challenging outdoor activities both at home and abroad (you can visit here for good list of activities and gateway sites) but there is a notable increase of interest at KS4 in science-based trips – most notably the Science and National History museums in London, the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, the National Railway Museum in York, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Macclesfield, Techniquest in Cardiff, and the Bristol Science Centre, all of which have reported an increase in visitors in recent years.
Suitable Venues
The Storey Arms is Cardiff's outdoor education centre. We offer activities and courses to people living in Cardiff and to visitors from the UK and abroad.
Most of our programmes are for young people from 9 to 18 years old. We also work with teachers and those working in higher education so that they can gain qualifications and develop skills to deliver outdoor activities.
If your seeking a dedicated Outdoor Adventure Centre, close to Cardiff and with a very wide range of adventure activities and weekend adventure breaks, you've come to the right place.
Chapter Arts Centre houses contemporary art in Canton, just a few minutes from Cardiff city centre. A former school, the building now features a 60ft light box which spans the whole frontage of the building - a living canvas to showcase Welsh artists' work. Equipped with cinemas, gallery space, restaurant and bar, Chapter is now one of Europe's leading arts centres.
Free admission.
Wales Millennium Centre is Wales’ national home for the performing arts in Cardiff Bay. One of the UK’s top cultural attractions and home to eight resident partners, this Welsh landmark stages musicals, opera, ballet, circus and contemporary dance alongside the UK’s largest programme of free performances.
Cardiff Bay, less than two miles from the centre has become a widely respected sporting destination in its own right. Watersports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities can participate in a multitude of activities in a safe and exciting environment.
The Adur Outdoor Activities Centre (AOAC) offers a wide range of outdoor activities, opportunities and experiences to individuals, schools, colleges, youth groups and other organisations. With an indoor climbing and bouldering wall, through to our activities on the water with kayaks and canoes to mountain biking across the South Downs the AOAC has something to offer all ages and abilities.
Hatt Adventures provides a range of courses, experiences, and adventure challenges in a number of outdoor activities including; rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking, navigation, mountaineering, survival, and wilderness first aid courses.
Low Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed in 2001 to set up, manage and promote environmental projects. Our main objective is tackling climate change through highlighting the connection between buildings, energy use and carbon emissions.
Adventure Unlimited works with over 6,000 children and young people and 100 volunteers each year. Our projects are designed to overcome barriers to access for children and young people who have special needs or behavioural issues, are living on a low income, or who are isolated by location or circumstance.
Experience the extraordinary at the Royal Pavilion, an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for George IV, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China.
Saltdean Lido at Saltdean Park Road, Saltdean, in the city of Brighton and Hove, is an Art Deco Lido designed by architect R.W.H. Jones and opened in 1938.
PLEASE NOTE THE LIDO'S SWIMMING FACILITIES ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED BUT THE LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTRE ARE OPEN.
Set in the picturesque valley of the Porter Brook, Shepherd Wheel is a unique working example of Sheffield knife grinding industry.
It was one of many small water-powered grinding workshops along Sheffield's rivers and is the earliest complete example of this industry with evidence dating it back to the 1500s.
Located in one of the city’s oldest industrial districts, the museum stands on a man-made island over 900 years old.
Kelham Island Museum was opened in 1982 to house the objects, pictures and archive material representing Sheffield’s industrial story.
Our tailored development programmes can be residential or non residential. Overnight options include our shepherd huts, camping (either near the centre or deep in the woods) or building and sleeping in a bivi. Each programme is always designed around the needs of the group but most overnights will involve a campfire at some stage.
Situated in the heart of the city, Sheffield City Hall is a magnificent art deco classical concert hall which has been respectfully modernised, whilst maintaining the unique atmosphere and charm of the original heritage.
Whether you are studying the Romans, Normans, castles, Victorians, or the Home Front and World War II, you will find plenty to keep your pupils engrossed both whilst visiting Cardiff Castle and during preparation and follow-up work at school.
We are an exciting on-demand white water facility located in the heart of the International Sports Village in Cardiff.
A centre of excellence for training, we also provide training courses from our Paddle School to Duke of Edinburgh awards.
In our fun, free and interactive galleries, discover how Cardiff was transformed from the small market town of the 1300s, to one of the world's biggest ports in the 1900s, to the cool, cosmopolitan capital we know today.
Small Tudor artillery fort guarding Dartmouth's inner harbour, picturesquely sited on the quayside.
Bickleigh Castle is sure to cast its magical spell on you. With its romance, rich history and stunning setting it has become a unique venue.
There are a huge range of activities available both at the Castle itself or very nearby, including:
Discover the true spirit of the characters from South Molton's past, through the exhibits and interactive displays. The collections reflect the life and times of the town and the surrounding countryside. Local trades, agriculture and domestic history are also strongly featured.
A fascinating medieval cob house, containing a cross-passage screen decorated with a painting of St Andrew. See the smoke-blackened timbers. Discover the fascinating history behind the cottage and enjoy the garden with contemporary cob summer house.
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The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
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