Cumulus Outdoors

Cumulus Outdoors was established in 2009, providing a range of outdoor adventure and residential programmes for schools, youth and scout groups. Cumulus is also a registered AAP and, as such delivers Duke of Edinburgh River and Walking Expeditions plus Gold Residential programmes.

As well as Adventure Activity Days, where you can select one or two adventure activities to enjoy, Cumulus Outdoors offers bespoke outdoor activity 3 or 5 day residential programmes to fit each individual school, depending on duration and nature of the trip. Each programme contains a unique set of adventure activities that can include Coasteering, Mackerel Fishing, Rock-Climbing & Abseiling, Field Studies, Dorset Waterpark and Bushcraft, to name just a few. Our highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors will engage all students at every level throughout your school residential trip to ensure an action-packed and educational trip to remember, incorporating our ‘Challenge by Choice’ ethos, so you’ll only ever attempt something you are totally comfortable with.

We believe that learning is not restricted to the classroom, but is something that can be achieved in all aspects of life. ‘Learning without walls’ offers fabulous opportunities for learning through outdoor fun. Spending time outdoors, away from the stresses of school, can see children flourish and tap into talents that had previously remained uncovered.

What We Offer Visiting Schools:

Experiences:
We offer a wide range of outdoor adventure activities for your students to learn new skills, develop team building and bonding qualities, leadership, planning skills and experience new activities, whilst having a completely new adventure in the outdoors.

You will be able to plan your activity programme with our admin staff in line with your aims and objectives of your educational visit, be this curriculum curriculum-based or as an end-of-year reward treat. Choose from the following: raft building, mackerel fishing, rock climbing, tag archery, coasteering, target sports, kayaking, bushcraft, SUPs, team games, high and low ropes course, orienteering, waterpark and mud trail, rib rides, beach safety, beach games.

We can also facilitate site visits to Corfe Castle, The Tank Museum, Old Harry Rocks, Kimmeridge Bay and the Etches Museum and Swanage Steam Railway.

Accommodation:

Choice of camping or indoor accommodation.
Our tented villages are located in unbeatable, exclusive sites along the shores of Poole Harbour, deep in the Dorset countryside. We are lucky to be able to provide wide open spaces for students to embrace the outdoors and experience some quality time with their peers. The tented villages are close to Corfe Castle but hidden away from the hustle and bustle of daily life so staff and students can both unwind and immerse themselves in nature.

Our purpose-built activity centre boasts comfortable dormitory-style accommodation alongside a variety of onsite facilities, adventurous off-site activities and tasty food. We can accommodate up to 139 students and teaching staff across our dormitory and bungalow accommodation. Our accommodation is maintained to a high standard and set in seven acres of private grounds with sea views in the Victorian seaside town Swanage.

Local Area:
We are extremely fortunate to be able to provide all of our outdoor activities within the stunning landscapes found in South Dorset, in the Isle of Purbeck. The area is the eastern gateway to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site – walk along the South West Coast Path and pass the magnificent Old Harry Rocks, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. Surrounded on three sides by seawater, coastal Purbeck boasts some of the best sea views and spectacular scenery along the whole of the south coast. Due to the outstanding geology and palaeontology, the Dorset (and East Devon) coastline has been listed as a Natural World Heritage Site and Jurassic Coastline.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

Cumulus Outdoors was established in 2009 and has developed an enviable reputation within the outdoor adventure industry in the years since. We specialise in the provision of residentials, activity days and field study trips for schools, youth organisations and higher education establishments at both our hard top residential centre in Swanage and our exclusive tented villages across Dorset. As a registered AAP, the company also provides Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residentials.

Our Mission Statement: At Cumulus Outdoors we aim to inspire optimism and happiness in young people through outdoor learning and experiences, supporting emotional, intellectual and social development while promoting physical and mental health and well-being.

Tented Village: Exclusive Camps
Our exclusive Tented Villages are set in picturesque locations across Dorset and provide a unique setting where students can relax and spend quality time with peers. They are ideally suited to groups looking for an authentic outdoor experience, surrounded by nature. All of our camps have a homely feel with spacious stand-up tents set around a central Nordic Tipi. This is the heart of the camp and where students can socialise, play campfire games and reminisce on the day’s activities.

Creature comforts continue for teachers with a dedicated area within camp, containing a brew station for that well-earned cuppa, access to phone charging and a welcome box.

We offer 24/7 on-site pastoral care from our expert team of camp staff. Our dedicated field chef cooks hearty meals to refuel after a busy day and can cater to your every need and dietary requirement.

Residential Centre: Indoor Accommodation
Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre occupies a scenic location overlooking Swanage Bay. It is situated just a 10 minute walk from the town centre and accommodates up to 139 students across three dormitories. Each dormitory has designated teacher facilities as well as a common room for indoor activities and evening entertainment.

Our Swanage activity centre is set within 7 acres of grounds and boasts a games field, target range, sanded team sports arena and a bushcraft area, where students can enjoy outdoor sports and team building activities. Our on-site catering team serve a varied menu to keep you fueled throughout your stay.

A classroom and field study facilities are also available if you would like to include more educational elements in your school residential trip.

Group Sizes Catered For:

Residentials: from 20, up to 240.
Activity Days: Up to 75.

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner:

Food is an intrinsically important part of any residential experience with Cumulus Outdoors and continually receives excellent feedback. A 5-Star Health and Hygiene rating both at our Residential Centre and at our Tented Villages gives Schools and Parents confidence when booking. Our onsite chefs and camp cooks cater for a variety of pre-submitted dietary requirements. Packed lunches are available to arrange.

Risk Assessment:

All risk assessments are reviewed in preparation for the start of the residential season and at any time during the season if an event necessitates it. All risk assessments and relevant policies are available to school staff via our website. Accommodation forms, kit lists, consent forms and dietary requirement forms are emailed directly to the school trip lead teacher or admin staff.

We will meet your visit expectations, aims and outcomes; all necessary documentation, policies, protocols, and procedures are in place, and you do not have to spend additional time ensuring the provision meets the school’s requirements for the visit.

We hold the LOtC Quality Badge, the AALA licence, the Adventure Mark and the BAPA certification and we are an Approved Activity Provider for the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Expeditions and Gold Residentials.
We also hold the following: Member of the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL), Member of the National Coasteering Charter NCC and we are Ofsted registered. All staff are Enhanced DBS checked and hold a First Aid Qualification, plus all are fully qualified in their disciplines.

These all mean that we have been assessed to provide a safe educational visit for your students.

Pricing Information:

Please contact us for a full quote.

Room Sizes and Facilities:

Dormitories:
Sleeps a total of 139 across four buildings
Designated 1 bed en suite staff bedrooms across 3 dormitories for teachers
Two dormitories offer 4 bedded student rooms with en suite bathroom facilities
1 traditional larger bed dormitory sleeping accommodation

Self-catering bungalow:
Sleep 12 students and 2 staff

Camping:
Dynamic private campsites – various sizes to cater to group size.
Separate student/teacher showers and toilets
Large communal tipi with fire pit
Designated teachers tents plus communal area with fire pit, charging points and tea station.
24/7 pastoral care with a 1:15 ratio
Fully fitted camp kitchens & camp cooks

Facilities:

Our spacious grounds offer space for a variety of activities, including a games field, a target range, team game facilities (including Aeroball) and a bushcraft area. The top and lower fields provide ample space for outdoor sports and are the perfect setting for a range of team-building activities.

Inside, there is ample room to relax and classroom facilities are also available should you wish to include educational elements and field studies in your residential school trip. There is free Wi-fi site-wide.

Classroom facilities at our residential centre can be arranged for use if required by those staying at the tented village. Communal areas such as tipis and marquees at the tented village can also be used as teaching arenas.

Accessibility and Disabled Facilities:

We are committed to inclusivity and accessibility to enable all students to participate. Due to the nature of some of our activities, some are not suitable for wheelchair users. We do encourage schools to contact us to discuss any requirements.

We do have the capacity to cater for Special Educational Needs (SEN) children. Please contact us for further details.

Opening Hours:

We are open all year round

Other Information:

“This company provides a fabulous experience for pupils, allowing them to have independence, learn new skills in a safe environment and, above all else, have fun!”
The King’s School, Gloucester – 2025

“We had fantastic time on our week’s residential in the tented accommodation. The staff were incredible and nothing was too much for them. A great range of activities that the children thoroughly enjoyed. We highly recommend and will be back! Thank you!”
Hatchlands Primary School – 2025

“Cumulus have been fantastic from the start to the finish of our school’s first residential. You couldn’t be in safe hands. A huge thank you from all of us at Bishopshalt!”
Bishopshalt School – 2024

“Stunning locations and a packed itinerary, which left our students tired but happy, with everyone having the chance to push their own level of availability in a safe and supportive environment.”
Leighton Park School – 2024

“Cumulus is just amazing! Excellent fieldwork leaders and a very knowledgeable camp leader who, along with the team, were amazing with the children. I am impressed with the tented accommodation and we have felt very looked after, thank you – we have re-booked for the next 3 years!”
Wellesley Prep School – 2025

“A wonderful company! Small, caring, excellent, hardworking, and rigorous in their safety. Simply the best!”
Newland House School – 2025