Celebrating 50 years of Changing Lives

Challenging disability through accessible adventures

Our story so far ...

How it all began ...

John Fryer-Spedding set out to ensure that the beauty of the Lake District could be enjoyed by people with disabilities. The Calvert Trust was formed and takes its name from Raisley Calvert, a close friend of William Wordsworth, whose generosity enabled the poet to fulfil his potential. That same spirit of belief and encouragement inspired the Trust’s founding in 1974 and was honoured with the name Calvert. We officially opened our doors on 21st March 1976.

... How it looks now

From humble beginnings at Old Windebrowe in Keswick, the Little Crosthwaite Adventure Centre, now Calvert Lakes, is a thriving year-round activity centre welcoming thousands of visitors each year. Staying true to our founding belief, we focus on ability, not disability, and provide experiences for even those with complex needs. Calvert Stables sits on the same site upon which our foundations were built and to this day, still advocates challenging disability through inclusive equine experiences.

You can make a difference

To ensure we can continue to help people with disabilities access life-changing experiences, we rely on the generosity of our supporters through regular giving, one-off donations, corporate fundraising and community events. If you’re able to give a one-off sum now, or choose to give monthly, your support will ensure the long-term stability of our important charity.

Support Our Next 50 Years

The Lake District Calvert Trust wouldn’t be the incredible charity it is today without the support of thousands of donors over the years. From local volunteers to regular donors, corporate partners to event attendees, each and every person who has given their time, money and support are what makes our charity the established centre of excellence we’re so proud to be.

THANK YOU!

As we look ahead to the future, we have exciting plans to improve and update Calvert Lakes. We want to help even more people access incredible experiences in our unique location. The challenges people with disabilities face haven’t disappeared so our work is needed more than ever. Ensuring a secure future for the Lake District Calvert Trust will enable us to welcome more visitors and change more lives.

Our stories

We exist to ensure people of ALL abilities have access to the stunning Lake District.

Hear from our guests about how their experiences of Calvert have helped build confidence, resilience and self-esteem that lasts beyond their time with us.

What does Calvert mean to you?

The Lake District Calvert Trust is many things to many people. For those with disabilities, it’s a place where anything is possible. For their families, carers and friends, it’s a place where their loved ones thrive. And somewhere they can spend quality time together, trying exciting activities that promote connection, belonging and wellbeing.

The people who make Calvert Lakes and Calvert Stables so welcoming are the dedicated team of staff and volunteers. The daily smiles, achievements and joy experienced by our visitors make Calvert an incredibly rewarding place to work.

Our 50th Birthday Open Day

To celebrate our golden year, we held an Open Day on Saturday 21st March 2026. The sun shone, our regular guests came to stay and the local community turned out in force to celebrate with us. We went climbing, tried high ropes, swam, made new friends, heard stories galore and welcomed our founder, John Fryer-Spedding to cut the birthday cake. Here are just a few photos of this memorable day.