residentials & activity days tented village and residential centre

Residentials & Activities

Cumulus Outdoors deliver tailor made school residential trips in Dorset. Stay in our purpose-built Residential Centre or Tented Village and enjoy a bespoke programme of outdoor adventure activities on the Jurassic Coast.

School trips on the Jurassic Coast

Cumulus Outdoors are school residential and activity specialists. We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke residential trips that are designed to meet the specific needs and budget requirements of your school or youth group. We love a challenge and will gladly work with you to develop, organise and run a memorable adventure activity trip on the Jurassic Coast. We’ll take care of the accommodation, activity selection, transport, field study provision and catering to ensure the process is stress and hassle free!

Outdoor adventure activities

All of our activity programmes are one of kind and tailor made to fit your groups interests. We offer a wide selection of outdoor adventure activities at scenic locations across Dorset. Our activities are great fun and provide students with the opportunity to try new things. We can also plan and deliver sessions that build upon classroom learning, if curriculum objectives and field studies are the purpose of your trip.

Whatever option you choose, our highly qualified and knowledgeable instructors will engage all students at every level to ensure an action packed and educational trip to remember.

Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre

Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre occupies a scenic location overlooking Swanage Bay. It is situated just 10 minutes’ 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 fuelled throughout your stay.

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

Tented villages

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 days 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.

What schools say about us

  • Aerial view of coasteering group
    School testimonial

    "I have used Cumulus for two years in a row for our sixth form team bonding residential, with us having already booked in for next year!

    I cannot fault the company - quick at replying, good at tailoring a programme and excellent friendly instructors. Our students have had a fantastic time - coasteering, climbing, orienteering, mud trail, water park and doing team games.

    The setting where they have the tipis is just beautiful. I can 100% say you will not regret booking with them, whether that is for yourself as a family or part of a larger group".

    Elizabeth

  • Tipi time around the fire pit schools
    School testimonial

    Fantastic to find a smaller more personalised company to accommodate our residential. Great to see and experience the local area which is fully utilised for many of the residential activities. The centre also uses locally sourced food suppliers in the delicious meal provision, dietary needs were well catered for with a great selection of salad and fruit available at all meals.

    Elizabeth, 2024

  • children sitting under bridge on river studies session
    School testimonial

    This is a first-class centre, we took an able Yr12 group for a leadership weekend. The activities were appropriately challenging with the outcome of creating and working as a team. The instructor team were excellent from start to finish; emotional and intelligent which made for excellent connections with the Yr12 students – they understand the age group –really impressed! We highly recommend this centre.

    Jo, 2024

  • group of children stand up paddleboard dorset lake Summer HAF Programme
    School testimonial

    We have used Cumulus for the last 4 years for a year 5 school residential. Communication and directions are always fantastic before hand and staff running the activities are always experienced, friendly and knowledgeable. They are great with the kids - fun, but firm if needed and caring for those who need a bit more persuasion to push themselves out of their comfort zone. The children we have taken have always had a great time and as a member of staff on a school trip I have always had a great day out with Cumulus staff.

    Will

  • School testimonial

    This centre is perfect for our needs with yet again another fantastic week for 100+ children embracing outdoor living. The accommodation is clean and comfortable, the food is superb, and the staff are fantastic always stretching and challenging the pupils in all activities. We have booked in again for 2025!

    Sophie, 2024

  • School testimonial

    Great value for money and the best residential centre we have ever been to! We felt very safe staying here with good communication, very well organised and fantastic staff. Staff and organisation are the biggest highlights (and the food!)

    Cumulus’ ethos and values are reflected in everything they provide. The children and staff work together through challenges to develop a sense of achievement and teamwork. We absolutely loved the week, thank you!

    Lee, 2024