• Dining room in the main house
  • The view observed from the centre

FSC Blencathra occupies a dramatic setting at 300m up the south facing slope of Blencathra in the Lake District National Park, and offers an unparalleled panorama across the Keswick, Helvellyn and Skiddaw areas.

Banner image taken by Terry Abraham.

Click here to see more locations.

“Very impressed with both the classroom and field sessions. Students were very engaged thanks to the delivery.”

Kingston Grammar school

Facilities

  • Bar: We have a licensed bar stocked with local ales and spirits, wines, soft drinks and snacks
  • Capacity: Blencathra has 140 beds across three accommodation blocks. There is a variety of room sizes from singles rooms to dormitories with up to 6 beds including 18 ensuite rooms.
  • Car Parking: 52 seat coaches can access the centre, and there is space for coaches to park. We also have a large car park at the east of the site for minibuses and cars, and overflow parking facilities.
  • Catering: Self-catering is also considered upon specific request.
  • Children's Facilities: We are an Educational Centre and have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome.
  • Disabled Facilities: Two bedrooms are allocated on the ground floor for easy access.
  • Games Room: There is a pool table, football table, and table tennis table
  • Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.
  • Kitchen: Fully catered services for all dietary needs available, as well as packed lunch making services.
  • Linen: All bedding is provided
  • Lounge: We have an adult lounge area with comfy sofas.
  • Outdoor Facilities: Extensive range of on-site and off-site activities.
  • Shop: Our shop sells drinks, snacks and souvenirs of your stay as well as a selection of FSC publications.
  • WIFI: Free guest WIFI is available through-out the centre.
  • Workrooms: We have seven workrooms and one that can be used as a conference room, all have interactive whiteboards.

Food at our centres

For one day visits you are usually asked to bring a packed lunch unless it is specified otherwise.

Residential visits include freshly prepared seasonal meals, with a hot breakfast, packed lunch and choice of evening meal. Food is sourced locally wherever possible and we can cater for any dietary requirements. All of our residential centres have been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award which recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure visitors are receiving healthy, nutritious and sustainable meals.

FSC Accommodation

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Our residential centres offer a range of room sizes and layouts from single and twin up to larger dormitories. Note: not all centres have single/twin rooms. All rooms are subject to availability. Some rooms are en suite and others have shower and toilet facilities close by. Please contact us if you want to discuss your room requirements.

Each centre also has places to relax during any free time such as a lounge, games room and outdoor space.

Explore the centre and surrounding area

Health and Safety

  • Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge
  • Carbon Trust Standard
  • Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) licence
  • Food Hygiene rating: 5*
  • Investors in People
  • Secondary Geography Quality Mark (Geographical Association)
  • Primary Geography Quality Mark (2018) (Geographical Association)
  • Eco Centre
  • Green Tourism Award Gold
  • Green Apple Environment Award
  • John Muir Award
  • Met Office active participant
  • Safety Shield Health and Safety Award (Moorepay) Gold
  • Visit England
  • Environmental and Energy Awareness Award

How to find us

FSC has developed links with First Travel Solutions (FTS), and we recommend them as a coach travel provider to help reduce the cost of transport for academic groups to our Centres. FTS provide a fully supported, UK wide school travel service, providing a dedicated contact for each coach booking from the initial contact through to tracked delivery with 100% security on all deposits paid. If you would like to receive a quote from First Travel Solutions please enquire here.

By Car
From Junction 40 on the M6 (D) follow A66 to Keswick (C). After about 12 miles turn off right following signpost for Threlkeld. Go through the village and turn right onto Blease Road (B). The centre is located 1 mile up the hill (A).
Alternatively Head toward Keswick along the A591 (A). As you drive down into the town turn right and follow signposts for A66 to Penrith and M6. Follow the A66 for about 2 miles. Turn off left and follow signpost for Threlkeld. Go through the village and turn left onto Blease Road. (B) The centre is located 1 mile up the hill. If you plan on using a Sat Nav to reach the Blencathra centre, the postcode is CA12 4SG.

By Train
The nearest train station is the Penrith Train Station, approximately 18 miles from Threlkeld. Stagecoach operates the X4 and X5 Bus from Penrith train station to Workington which runs every hour and stops in Threlkeld or Keswick. Drop off at Threlkeld 1 mile walk up hill to the centre. Drop off at Keswick, taxi from Keswick to the centre (approx £10). The centre is located 1 mile from the village of Threlkeld up Blease Road.

Centre contact form

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