About Us
Grafham Water Centre has over 50 years experience of providing high quality tuition in a wide range of adventure sports for all ages and abilities.
We strive to inspire all of our customers to try something new, develop existing skills and reach their full potential whilst having fun in the great outdoors!
Based on the shore of the UK’s finest inland sailing venue, the Centre offers an exciting but safe environment to learn in, highlighted by the stunning natural backdrop of the 80 hectare Grafham Water Nature Reserve. The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Whether it’s specialised adventure sports tuition, a conference or training venue, a fun family day out or a residential or day experience for a school or youth group, we have it all.
ABOUT US
Grafham Water Centre (GWC) is an AALA licensed residential outdoor activity centre, set against the backdrop of Grafham Water Reservoir run by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) with recognised external accreditation of AHOEC Gold Standard and CLOTC. As a Local Authority Service, we wholly subscribe to the Council's ambition of creating a greener, fairer and more caring Cambridgeshire and express its behaviours in all we do: Lives over Services, Collaborative, Creative and Aspirational, and Accountable. The centre is based in Cambridgeshire near to Huntingdon, in the small village of Perry within a quiet residential area. The site is private, enclosed, and secure and is only open to those who have booked with us.
The centre offers a fully inclusive outdoor learning experiences for schools, youth groups, individuals, and other organisations, with a 160 bed residential capacity in fully accessible dormitory style rooms; a number of our rooms and bathrooms are fully equipped to accommodate those with more significant physical disabilities and provide a sanctuary for individual escape should it be required.
As part of the residential, we provide high quality 5 star rated catering facilities, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet all dietary needs.
OUR OFFER
We offer a wide variety of land and water based activities including keel boating, power boating, bush craft, problem solving, raft build, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, climbing, archery, mountain biking, and high ropes. In all this, we make links to the wellbeing and therapeutic benefits of challenging yourself in a safe and inclusive outdoor environment.
Each group is provided with a fully accessible lounge from which they are based for the duration of their stay - this is where they meet as a group during breaks, and receive briefings from their course directors and dedicated members of our instructor team.
The centre also has a fully heated sports hall with capacity for over 150 people, two large marquees and a variety of other spaces for groups to use around site.
Having visited Grafham Water in a previous school, I knew when we were looking for something new for our Y6 it was the place to go to. The children love the freedom of the Bell Tent village, which offers a real camping experience (very early mornings are a must). There is a constant flow of conversation between ourselves and the centre which ensures that we always build a trip that suits our pupils’ needs. The instructors bring professionalism, enthusiasm and encouragement to all the tasks…
I just wanted to thank you and the staff at the Discovery Club day last Friday (29th August). I brought my son Zac who has ASD, ADHD and learning needs. We both had a great day – paddleboarding and then on the high ropes. I especially wanted to pass on thanks to Hannah and Nieve (apologies if misspelt). While others in our group were getting ready, Hannah took Zac and I down to the water to see where all the equipment was and gave us some pointers for paddleboarding and kayaking. This was really…
We had a fantastic Energise Team Day at Grafham Water, with a day created just for us. All of the sessions were hosted by fun and professional instructors, with options for everyone to enjoy including raft building, kayaking to archery. It was also great to have use of the marquee to use throughout the day for team time and refreshments between activities. Thank you to the Grafham Water Centre team!
We had an amazing group worker Dom, he was brilliant with supporting our young people as well as helping team workers. All of the activities ran smoothly. Dom was able to help everyone and support with every activity. As well as ensuring our safety in activities, Dom encouraged and engaged well with our young people - making them smile/laugh and have fun while achieving their goals and getting them through some challenging situations. Thank you so much Dom! You are a superstar to all our…
Another successful trip to Grafham Water Centre. The children enjoy working alongside such enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors, who take into account the aims and objectives of our visit, ensuring the children are challenged to go push themselves a little bit more, whilst also having fun with their friends and trying out many new activities. The willingness to work alongside school staff and adapt to our needs, both before the trip and during, is very much appreciated.