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Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Gold Residential Courses

A five-day residential at Derwent Hill Outdoor Education and Training Centre will fulfil all the criteria of the Gold DofE residential section. It is open to individuals aged 16-19 years during which time we hope you’ll develop new friendships and leave feeling inspired, having acquired personal and leadership skills for life, contributing to your CVs, UCAS forms and to talk about in interviews – and, most importantly, to remember for a long time. Click on the links below for our most recent feedback .

Testimonial William Pittaway August 2026

Testimonial, William Wragg August 2026

Your multi activity week will follow a flexible programme consisting of a range of land and water activities; kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, mountain climbing, ghyll scrambling/gorge decent (canyoning), various high challenges, bushcraft, orienteering, night walks and innovative team projects. There will also be time to relax and enjoy being in this stunning location. All activity equipment is provided and included in the price. The programme content will be guided by what you and your colleagues want to do and also by the weather.

Derwent Hill is a long-established outdoor education centre owned by Sunderland City Council and is renowned for its homely atmosphere. The house is set in a 28-acre site overlooking Derwent Water. The busy town of Keswick is an easy walk away. Accommodation is shared and en-suite. All bedding is provided but towels are not. Downstairs there is recreational space with TV, free wi-fi and efficient drying rooms. All meals are home cooked and served from the buffet.

What a typical week might look like;

Monday

AM                     Travel to Derwent Hill. Settle in, meet others and explore Derwent Hill

PM                     A gorge descent. A great way to get to know each other

Evening             Low ropes course team challenge

Tuesday

All day               Rock climbing and Abseiling at one of the many local crags

Evening            Orienteering competition

Wednesday

All day               Canoe journey around Derwent Water with a campfire cook out

Evening            Team Rocket competition

Thursday    

All day               Mountain walk or Conservation day

Evening             Camp fire and reflection

Friday

Morning           High ropes challenges and Big Swing in grounds

Afternoon        Course review and travel home

Dates & Prices for 2027

• • Our next courses are running from:
  • Monday 19th – Friday 23rd July 2027
  • Monday 2nd – Friday 6th August 2027
  • Monday 23rd – Friday 27th August 2027
  • This includes shared accommodation,  all meals, use of activity equipment and specialist clothing including boots and waterproofs.
  • Pick up and drop off at Penrith Train Station is available on request
  • Price: £620 per person per week
  • A non- refundable deposit of £100 is payable to secure a place
  • The balance must be paid 8 weeks prior to the course starting