Your Venture Programme

You may have your time in Derbyshire all mapped out. That’s fine; just book your party into the Venture Centre and enjoy your visit. If you are not familiar with the area or you want to add to your programme we can supply detailed information of local attractions, Venture Centre educational programmes and useful Time Out hints (such as where to find the fish and chip shops).

If you need further help, don’t hesitate to ask. We can put together a full programme with fully qualified supervision.

A Gateway to the Environment

The Derbyshire Peak District offers a wealth of exciting experiences. Its historic and landscape heritage, its clean air and open spaces set it apart from the urban grime and stress of so much of modern Britain. The open air attractions – the canoeing, the walking and climbing – the great houses – Chatsworth, Haddon, Hardwick, Kedleston – and the unique industrial monuments – the mills at Cromford, Belper and Cressbrook; the Cromford and High Peak Railway – Engine Houses and inclines – and the Magpie Mine – make Derbyshire an increasingly popular holiday and recreational destination. There are many attractions within walking distance of the Venture Centre and many more within a few miles.

The Great Outdoors

Within easy reach of the Venture Centre there are areas of great natural beauty which provide opportunities for exciting and exhilarating adventure pursuits.

We can help you to arrange a full day’s programme by putting you in touch with activity providers in the area. There are several options in this category depending on the size of your group and your pocket!

Outdoor Activities in the Peak District

These include canoeing, climbing, caving, orienteering, abseiling and initiative tasks. We can also arrange guided walks, life skills and training, and country crafts and conservation.

Our educational programmes can be as focused or as general as you wish.

Educational Programmes

The Society will be pleased to help you plan your programme. This may take the form of suggestions for your visit, but it can also include bookings for your party and arranging help for you from local experts – for which there may be a charge.

The area is well suited for a wide range of educational projects. Historians and geographers can make profitable use of the Mill site as well as studying the achievements of Sir Richard Arkwright. The transport system in the Derwent Valley offers interesting research as do local settlements like Matlock Bath and Wirksworth and their associated industries. Nearby, Carsington Water Education Centre is another popular choice.

Sponsorship from Severn Trent and the Derbyshire Building Society has made it possible for the Venture Centre to adopt an important role in providing residential facilities for schools in four Education Action Zones. A close working relationship has been established between the Centre staff and the individual schools and zone delivery teams. The Centre is also working with the Severn Trent group of companies and with a number of other major employers on the development and delivery of employee volunteering schemes.

Cromford Green Energy Project

The Cromford Green Energy Project invites pupils to attend a 2-day 2 night residential course on energy, renewables and sustainability. Closely mapping the National Curriculum for England and Wales the project aims to raise “Energy Literacy” by introducing pupils to the range of current energy types available in the UK and beyond. Hands on activities and investigations, will reveal the environmental impact energy may be having on our climate and how to move towards a sustainable energy future. The programme concludes with a practical investigation into one of the renewable sources available at the Cromford Mills site: Water Power. All the activities on this programme will be designed and pitched appropriately to the student age group and ability

To learn more about the Cromford Green Energy Project click here

Registered Charity No: 515526

Farewell Old Friend