About Acorn Adventure

Founded in 1982 by Andrew Gardiner, a former teacher in Birmingham, Acorn Adventure began by organising camping trips in North Wales for local schools. Inspired by the transformational power of the outdoors on young people, Andrew left teaching to expand and share these experiences with more schools and groups. For over 40 years, Acorn has remained a family-owned company committed to providing accessible, character-building outdoor adventures at affordable prices 

Acorn takes its name from the oak tree: a symbol of strength, endurance, and growth. The company exists to help children develop into “majestic oaks” through progressive exposure to adventure, challenge, and discovery, all delivered in a safe, supportive environment 

Core Philosophy & Values

• Real Adventure in Real Places: Acorn’s programs intentionally use natural environments like lakes, rivers, caves, crags, and beaches to deliver authentic outdoor education experiences. This return-to-basics approach educates and inspires simultaneously 
• Character Building: Activities are designed to build confidence, teamwork, resilience, and life skills for young people through hands-on challenges and experiential learning 
• Trusted Partner for Schools: With thousands of school groups served and a reputation for high standards, Acorn offers reassurance through qualifications, risk-managed programming, and accreditations such as ABTA and ATOL protection 
   

The Gateway to Adventure: A Digital Transformation

In late 2024, Acorn launched a bold new rebrand and strategic platform transformation, positioning itself as a digital-first gateway to adventure. The new identity and platform make adventure residential trips easier than ever to discover, plan, and book online 

Key innovations include:

• Real-time availability of dates, sessions, and centre capacity
• A centre calendar showing pricing, session lengths, and activities
• Detailed centre profiles and informative content
• Self-managed listings allowing centres greater control and visibility
• A smooth, teacher-friendly booking experience requiring no deposit to reserve dates 
   

This platform unites choice, simplicity, and reassurance in one central hub, making it easier for teachers to plan trips and for centres to reach new school audiences 

Reach & Impact

Acorn Adventure coordinates:

• Over 300 trips per year
• With a network of 15+ partner centres
• Serving 2,000+ schools annually
• Covering 27+ different activities across landscapes and environments 
   

Flagship Destinations & Programmes

Through our site, we can offer adventures of all shapes and sizes, each designed to deliver unforgettable, safe, and educational outdoor experiences. Suitable for all ages, all needs and at all scales, in a host of settings and environments.

UK Adventure Centres

We work with more than 15 centres all across the UK. With stunning locations across England, Wales and Scotland, including woodland settings, lakeside escapes, and coastal favourites, our UK centres are packed with fun, challenging, and safe activities designed for both primary and secondary school groups. Whether it’s climbing, canoeing, or team-building games, there’s something for every kind of adventurer, right here at home. Here are few of the centres:

• Ackers Woodland Adventure (West Midlands): Ideal for primary-age groups; woodland-based site with activities like caving, nature trails, ropes courses, and an optional visit to the Safari Park 
• Call of the Wild Adventure (Brecon Beacons): Lakeside camping, kayaking, abseiling, a full adventure mix for KS2–3 at Llangorse Lake 
• Parson House (Peak District): Mountain-based centre offering high ropes, orienteering, mini expeditions, and team challenges 
• Bude Adventure Camp (Cornwall): Coastal location with surfing, bodyboarding, rafting, and team-building beach activities 
   

European Adventure Experiences

From paddling through the dramatic gorges of the Ardèche in France to soaking up sunshine and adventure on the Spanish coast, our EU trips are expertly designed to balance thrilling activities with rich cultural exploration. With carefully selected centres in France, Italy, Spain, and Malta, your group will enjoy safe, supported travel packed with adventure, discovery, and lifelong memories.

• Ardeche Adventure (France): A thrilling riverside escape where students canoe through the spectacular Ardèche Gorge, experience cliff jumps, and explore caves and the local area. 
• Mediterranean Adventure (Spain): Water sports including paddleboarding, sailing, plus cultural visits to Barcelona and coastal towns 
• Dolomites Adventure (Italy): Hiking, white-water rafting, high ropes, climbing in the Italian Alps, combining outdoor challenge with stunning scenery 
• Maltese Adventure (Malta): History, beach-based activities, and Mediterranean climate providing a unique multi-activity experience 
   

Staff, Safety & Accreditation

At Acorn Adventure, safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to uphold some of the highest safety standards in the industry and never compromise when it comes to the wellbeing of the young people in our care. Each of our centres is regularly inspected and assessed, both by qualified external auditors and our own team of expert Technical Advisors, to ensure that our practices consistently meet and exceed national and industry benchmarks.

Thanks to our unwavering commitment to safety and quality, the majority of Local Authorities across the UK have pre-approved our trips. Schools and groups can book with confidence, knowing that our operations meet strict educational visit standards.

As a fully accredited member of the School Travel Forum, Acorn Adventure works in line with rigorous guidelines that cover all aspects of our provision—from our centres and activity delivery to transport providers and excursions. These standards are independently audited and recognised across the educational travel sector.

We’re also proud members of ABTA (The Travel Association) and hold an ATOL licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This means we offer full financial protection for your trip, giving schools, parents, and guardians added reassurance. As part of ABTA, we adhere to their strict Code of Conduct, ensuring a high standard of service and access to an effective Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process should the need ever arise.

With Acorn Adventure, you’re not just booking an adventure; you’re choosing a provider that puts safety, quality, and peace of mind first.

Why Choose Acorn Adventure?

Wide Choice & Flexibility
From short UK day trips to extended multi-day European adventures, Acorn offers programmes for primary, secondary, and uniform groups, all tailored to age, ability, curriculum links, and budget 

Seamless Booking & Support
The new digital Gateway allows for real-time booking, flexible changes, and comprehensive support—from planning to delivery—underpinned by ABTA & ATOL protection 

Real Value, Real Impact
Acorn consistently delivers high-quality packages at competitive prices. Customer reviews frequently highlight the value, impact, and reliability of Acorn trips, with many schools returning year after year

Track Record & Trust
With over four decades of experience and thousands of successful trips delivered annually, Acorn’s reputation is built on safety, quality, and meaningful adventure.

Looking Ahead

Acorn Adventure is entering a new chapter—combining its heritage of outdoor education with a digital-first approach. As it continues to expand centre networks and refine user experience on the Gateway, the company remains focused on its mission: to make outdoor education more accessible, inspiring, and impactful for all young people.

From woodland camps in England to canoe descents in the Ardèche, Acorn delivers every kind of adventure—and now presents it in a way that makes planning simple and reliable.

We're here to help! Whether you need more info about our centres, availability, or want to chat through ideas, contact us at

Let’s make your next school trip unforgettable!