A gorgeous Lake District setting

A historic yet accessible building

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A welcoming space

Introducing our centre

Set in a stunning location overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake, our main centre is fully accessible throughout, with us also having our own stables and boathouse at separate nearby locations. We endeavour to run as many activities as possible out in the wider Lake District so that our residents also get to explore one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.

The Building

Our main centre, which also houses all our catered accommodation and hydrotherapy pool, is fully accessible throughout via a combination of ramps and lifts. Centred around a traditional Cumbrian farmstead, the centre retains the character of its origins, with any new buildings built from local stone and techniques in a sympathetic style.

Behind the Centre to the east sits Dodd Wood (lying beneath Skiddaw), where groups often visit for evening walks or bushcraft.

The Centre looks out over Bassenthwaite Lake, with the fells of Seat How, Barf and Broom Fell in the background.

Rooms

We can take up to 60 residents at any one time with us able to cater for profound and complex disabilities. Our rooms are mainly twins, with a few triples (single and bunk beds) and a quad room (2 singles and a bunk bed).

We take safeguarding issues very seriously, so our accommodation is over 3 separate areas, the Farmhouse, the Lower Byre and the Upper Byre, with each of these split down into 2 lockable corridors. This enables larger groups to have their own areas of accommodation not used by other residents.

Our bedrooms are all en-suite with level entry wet-room and toilet facilities. A number of the bedrooms also feature electric raisable beds which can be allocated if required. We also have available portable electric hoists, free-standing shower-chairs and medical fridges, with our intention being that with the exception of wheelchairs*, you don’t need to bring any specialist equipment. Please, we do not have oxygen or airflow mattresses on site – you would need to book these in advance with an outside supplier.

Food!

All food is prepared and cooked on site by our team of chefs, and where possible using locally sourced produce from local suppliers. Our dining room is a communal space where you will have your own tables for your group (or activity group) with breakfast and the evening meal at set times.

The day starts with a cooked breakfast including toast, cereal and hot drinks and before departing on activities with your packed lunch. In the evenings we provide a hearty 3 course meal with a choice of salad or soup to start, a selection of mains (including a vegetarian option) and tempting desserts. Hot drinks are available all day and there is a fridge to store your own snacks. We pride ourselves on being able to accommodate your dietary requirements, whether it be pureeing, gluten free, lactose intolerance or other.

Please note: we can supply some Halal options however we will require this request in writing at least 2 weeks before your visit. Unfortunately we are unable to provide kosher options, but will do our best to accommodate other requirements.

Downtime

In the evenings the Games Room is the social hub of the centre, where residents can relax and enjoy a game of table-tennis, table-football or snooker/pool. There is a small bar and tuck-shop where you can buy souvenirs such as caps, tee-shirts and mugs to remind you of your visit. The games room is also the venue for our weekly disco and has a large screen TV so that we can host film nights too.

For those who want a little peace and quiet or want to watch their favourite TV programmes in the evening, we have a small lounge and reading room in the Farmhouse. We also have a meeting room (with media connections) that can be used by groups upon request, as a classroom, study room or another venue to watch films and TV.

The Sports Hall

Although used during the day for our Rock and Rope sessions, the sports hall can be used by groups in the evening for basketball, football and badminton – equipment for which we have at the centre. Use of the sports hall can be organised upon request with your group instructor and you will need to fit in with other residential groups.

Why choose a Calvert Lakes activity break?

Confidence, independence and social skills

For many this may be the first time away from home, so it isn’t just the activities that help develop life skills. The activities themselves allow achievement of things your pupils may not believe they could do, driving self-belief and confidence, plus many involve teamwork so helping social interaction. The pupils also participate in everyday tasks such as making tea and laying tables – and above everything, we encourage them to have fun with their friends!

A shared experience

The benefits of learning outside the classroom can last long after the trip has taken place, with pupils and staff now having a shared point of reference. Seeing your pupils in a residential environment will really develop your understanding of them as individuals so that if you are having issues in the classroom, you can refer back to that shared experience to distract them from whatever was the catalyst of that challenging behaviour, facilitating re-engagement.