Ta Ellan Vannin cur failt errui
(Welcome to the Isle of Man)
The Venture Centre is based in rolling countryside in the North of the Isle of Man situated right in the middle of the Irish sea, easily accessible by ferry and plane from most areas of the U.K. We are situated in a quiet part of the Isle of Man, 5 minutes walk away from seculded beaches and have scenic clifftop walks 10 minutes away from our site.
Our site is based in the converted farm buildings of Lewaigue Farm Camp and is split into 2 facilities, north and south camp. Each facility has its own games room, childrens and teachers rooms and can accommodate 70 people allowing larger group to have sole use of their own accommodation block. All of the bedrooms are en-suite and childrens room sizes range from six to twelve beds per room.
The Venture Centre buildings are set in an area of woodland bordering rolling farm land. On the site there are many activities including; woodland bushcraft areas, archery, an assault course including monkey bars and rope swings over a (shallow) river, abseil platforms high up in the tress and a high ropes course and large zip line, all making use of the fantastic location.
Most of our watersports take place on our shallow sheltered lake, offering the perfect place to try kayaking, canoeing, dinghy sailing and raft building. For older groups we use various local coastal locations for sit on top sea kayaking and coasteering. All of our activity locations are within a 10 minute minibus journey of the centre meaning more time spent on activities and less time spent travelling to them.
We have been delivering courses to schools groups for over 30 years and in that time have run courses for over 40 000 young people. We provide the ideal location for all school visits making a balance between adventure experiences and educational value.
Our aim is to provide children with the experiences of a wide variety of activities. This not only gives them an insight into activities that they may wish to develop in the future but also gives them a variety of life experiences that help to build self confidence, communication and organisational skills.
We also realise the value of the shared residential experience in the development of young people helping them to develop independence and social skills which they can carry forward into future life and the transition into secondary school.
Whilst we encourage all children to do their best the small achievements of the quieter and less confident children are just as important to us as the achievements of the more able and more confident.
Our large range of activities gives your children a wide variety of developmental experiences, for example kayaking allows young people to work independently developing self confidence and a sense of personal achievement coupled with the physical skills of actually paddling their own kayak. Canoeing allows young people to work in small team of 2 -3 learning how to rely on each other and be part of a small team, how to deal with success and in some cases failure. Whilst through raft building and racing the children work as part of larger team and realise the results of their combined efforts. This ethos of personal development through outdoor adventure is carried through all our activities.
In addition to our courses for school groups we provide national governing body courses in Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, power boating and are approved by the , Royal Yachting Association RYA, BAPA.
The centre managers Michael and Simon Read are actively involved in all aspects of the centres’ operations this means that we maintain a high level of flexibility and personal involvement so we can ensure your stay with us runs as smoothly as possible.
For each of our activities we have full risk assessment, operational procedures and learning objectives in place please click here for our up to date learning outcomes . All our staff are fully trained in the activities they deliver and undergo enhanced checks prior to starting employment with us. We are keen to ensure our courses fulfil the exact requirements for your group.
For groups that have not visited us previously we offer familiarisation visits for group leaders including assistance with ferry and accommodation costs.
We will draw up a suggested activity programme based on the age of your students, length of visit and any prior experiences your group may have had. All programmes are subject to alteration due to extenuating circumstances
Please contact the Isle of Man Steam Packet company for exact ferry prices
Prices 2025
Low season November 2024 - Easter 2025 £80 plus Vat per 24 hours
Mid Season Easter 2025 - 16th May 2025 £85 plus Vat per 24 hours
19th May 2025 - 20th July 2025 £102 plus VAT per 24 hours
Late Season September - October 2025 £80 plus VAT per 24 hours
Prices 2026
We pride ourselves on offering flexible programmes to suit your group. Activities can be chosen from our wide range and cultural visits can be arranged to areas of interest around the Island. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will work with you to create a programme to suit your group.
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a.m. |
p.m. |
Eve |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Monday |
Travel to Isle of Man via ferry or flight |
Intro to centre Fire drills |
Coastal walk |
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Tuesday |
Kayaking and Canoeing |
Gorge Walking |
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Wednesday |
Climbing |
High Ropes Course |
Wide game |
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Thursday |
Bushcraft Skills |
Campfires Cook own lunch |
Coasteering
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Archery |
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Friday |
Operation Phoenix Team Challenge Competition |
Depart for ferry or flight |
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|
a.m. |
p.m. |
Eve |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Monday |
Travel to Isle of Man by ferry or flight |
Introduction to centre Fire drills |
Coastal walk |
|
Tuesday |
Raft Building and Racing |
Kayaking and Canoeing |
|
|
Wednesday |
Abseiling and Climbing |
Gorge Walking |
Wide game |
|
Thursday |
Cook own lunch |
Assault Course |
Archery |
|
Friday |
Operation Phoenix Team |
Depart for ferry or flight |
By ferry from either Heysham or Liverpool.
For departures from other locations please contact us for a quote.
Prices include
* All prices are plus VAT
Monday - Friday before Easter £275 plus VAT per person
Tuesday 6th May - Friday 9th May £270 plus VAT per child
Thursday 24th April 09.15 pick up from school - Friday 25th April 15.15 drop off back at school £132.50 plus VAT per child
Availability for Isle of Man Schools 2025
Monday 24th – Friday 28th March £275 plus VAT per child
Monday 31st March – Friday 4th April £275 plus VAT per child
Wednesday 14th - Friday 16th April £198 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 22nd April – Friday 25th April 2025 £275 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 22nd – Wednesday 23rd April 2025 £132.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 28th April – Friday 2nd May 2025 £360 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 6th – Friday 9th May (Max 20) £270 plus VAT per child
Monday 12th May – Tuesday 13th May 2025 £145 plus VAT per child
Monday 12th – Friday 16th May £360 plus VAT child
Tuesday 13th - Friday 16th May £275 plus VAT per child
Monday 19th May – Friday 23rd May 2025 £395 plus VAT
Monday 19th – Tuesday 20th May 2025 £145 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 27th May – Thursday 29th May 2025 £198 plus VAT
Monday 23rd – Wednesday 25th June 2025 £195 plus VAT
Wednesday 25th June – Friday 27th June. £195 plus Vat Full
Monday 23rd June – Friday 27th June 2025 £395 plus Vat
Wednesday 9th – Friday 11th July 2025 £195 plus VAT
Monday 14th - Friday 18th July 2025 £360 plus VAT
Monday 14th – Wednesday 16th July 2025 £185 plus VAT per child
September /October 2025
(no availability 15th – 19th September)
Monday – Friday £295 plus VAT
Monday – Wednesday £190 plus VAT
Wednesday – Friday £190 plus VAT
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Monday 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 08.45 to Heysham |
Monday 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 19.45 to Heysham |
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Any Monday – Friday March dates 2025 |
£280 plus VAT per child |
£320 plus VAT per child |
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Tuesday 22nd – Friday 25th April 2025 |
£200 plus VAT per child |
£240 plus VAT per child |
| Monday 28th April - Friday 2nd May 2025 | £297.50 plus VAT per child | £340 plus VAT per child |
| Monday 12th - Friday 18th May 2025 | £297.50 plus VAT per child | £340 plus VAT per child |
|
Tuesday 6th May – Friday 9th May 2025 |
£212.50 plus Vat per child |
£255 plus VAT per child |
|
Monday 13th May – Friday 17th May (maximum 24) |
£275 plus VAT per child |
£300 plus VAT per child |
|
Monday 19th May – Friday 23rd May 2025 |
£358 plus VAT per child |
£409 plus Vat per child |
|
Monday 3rd June – Friday 7th 2024 June TT week Subject to ferry / flight availability |
£275 plus VAT per child |
£300 plus VAT per child |
| Monday 9th June - Friday 13th June | £358 plus VAT per child | £409 plus VAT per child |
| Monday 16th - Friday 20th June 2025 | £358 plus VTA per child | £409 plus Vat per child |
| Monday 23rd June - Friday 27th June 2025 | £358 plus Vat per child | £409 plus Vat per child |
| Monday 30th June - Friday 4th July 2025 | £358 plus Vat per child | £409 plus VAT per child |
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Monday 7th July - Friday 11th July 2025 |
£358 plus VAT per child |
£409 plus VAT per child |
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Monday 14th July - Friday 2025 |
£275 plus VAT per child plus VAT per child |
£372 plus VAT per child |
| Monday - Friday September / October 2025 | £ 277.50plus VAT per child | £312 Plus VAT per child |
Availability September 2024
Monday 16th September 19.00 ex Liverpool – Friday 20th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 16th September 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 20th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 23rd September 19.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 27th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 23rd September 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 27th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
2025
Monday 24th – Friday 28th March 2025
Monday 24rd March 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 28th March 08.45 to Heysham £280 plus VAT
Monday 24thMarch 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 28th March 19.45 to Heysham £320 plus VAT
Tuesday 22nd – Friday 25th April 2025
Tuesday 22nd April 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 25th April 08.45 to Heysham £200 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 22nd April 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 25th April 19.45.45 to Heysham £240 plus VAT per child
Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July 2025
Monday 30th June 11.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 4th July 15.00 to Liverpool £400 plus vat per child
Monday 30th June 11.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 4th July 07.00 to Liverpool £358 plus Vat per child
September - October 2025
Monday 14.15 ex heysahm - Friday 08.45 to Heysham £277.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 19.45 to Heysham £312 plus VAt per child
Monday 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 15.00 to Liverpool £312 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 0845 to Heysham £277.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 toLiverpool £312 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 19.45 to Heysham £325 plus VAt per child
September 2024
Monday 16th – Friday 20th September 2024
Monday 16th September 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 20th September 08.45 to Heysham £252 plus VAT per child
Monday 16th September 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 20th September 19.45 to Heysham £283.50 Plus Vat per chid
Monday 16th September 19.00 ex Liverpool – Friday 20th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 16th September 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 20th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 23rd – Friday 27th September 2024
Monday 23rd September 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 27th September 08.45 to Heysham £252 plus VAT per child
Monday 23rd September 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 27th September 19.45 to Heysham £ £283.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 23rd September 19.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 27th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
Monday 23rd September 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 27th September 15.00 to Liverpool £252 plus Vat per child
2025
Monday 24th – Friday 28th March 2025
Monday 24rd March 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 28th March 08.45 to Heysham £280 plus VAT
Monday 24thMarch 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 28th March 19.45 to Heysham £320 plus VAT
Tuesday 22nd – Friday 25th April 2025
Tuesday 22nd April 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 25th April 08.45 to Heysham £200 plus VAT per child
Tuesday 22nd April 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 25th April 19.45.45 to Heysham £240 plus VAT per child
Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July 2025
Monday 30th June 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 4th July 08.45 to Heysham £358 plus vat per child
Monday 30th June 14.15 ex Heysham – Friday 4th July 1945 to Heysham £409 plus vat per child
Monday 30th June 11.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 4th July 15.00 to Liverpool £409 plus vat per child
Monday 30th June 11.15 ex Liverpool – Friday 4th July 07.00 to Liverpool £358 plus Vat per child
September - October 2025
Monday 14.15 ex heysahm - Friday 08.45 to Heysham £277.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 19.45 to Heysham £312 plus VAt per child
Monday 14.15 ex Heysham - Friday 15.00 to Liverpool £312 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 0845 to Heysham £277.50 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 toLiverpool £312 plus VAT per child
Monday 19.45 ex Liverpool - Friday 19.45 to Heysham £325 plus VAt per chil
Prices include:-
All on island transport including on island ferry transfers
Bunk house accommodation based on bringing your own sleeping bags (pillows and pillow cases provided)
All meals whilst at the centre
Adventure activity programme 9.00 – 12.30, 1.30 – 5.00, 6.30 – 8.00 p.m.
Free places for group leaders in the ratio of 1 for every 8 full paying guests
Price does not include travel insurance
Ferry cost approx. £36 per child , £60 per adults please email info@steampacketholidays.com for a group quote
Prices include pick up from school on day 1 approx 09.15 and drop off back at school approx 15.15 on last day.
Prices Isle of Man schools 2026
Mnday 2nd March - Friday 3rd April
Monday – Friday £318 plus Vat per child
Monday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Friday £205 plus VAT
Monday 30th March - Thursday 2nd April £260 plus VAT per child
Monday 20th April – Friday 15th May
Monday – Friday £385 plus VAT per child
Tuesday – Friday £295 plus VAT per child
Overnight Day 1 09.15 pick up from school to Day 2 15.15 drop off back at school £145 plus VAT per child
Peak season
Monday 18th May – Thursday 23rd July
Monday - Friday £440 plus VAT per child
Mid season
Monday 7th September – 30th October
Monday – Friday £318 plus Vat per child
Monday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Friday £205 plus VAT
All prices are based on ferry crossings from Heysham subject to confirmation by the ferry company.
Above prices do not include ferry cost. At the moment ferry is free for children. For quote for ferry please contact info@steampacketholidays.com
Prices based on sailings from Liverpool
At the moment the ferry is free for under 16's. To get a ferry quote please contact info@steampacketholidays.com
Low season November 2025 - Sunday 19th April 2026 £85 plus VAT per 24hours
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool £340 plus VAt per child
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 07.00 seacat to liverpool £297.50 plus VAt per child
Mid season Monday 20th April - Friday 15th May 2026 £90 plus VAT per 24 hours
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool £360 plus VAt per child
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 07.00 seacat to liverpool £315 plus VAt per child
Peak Season Saturday 16th May - Sunday 19th July 2026 £110 plus VAT per 24 hours
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool £440 plus VAt per child
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 07.00 seacat to liverpool £385 plus VAt per child
Mid Season Monday 7th september - Friday 6th November £90 plus VAT per 24 hours
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 15.00 seacat to Liverpool £360 plus VAT per child
Monday 11.15 seacat ex Liverpool - Friday 07.00 seacat to liverpool £315 plus VAT per child
Below are some helpful documents to make planning your trip a more simple process
The Venture Centre
Parents Information Pack
Introduction to the Venture Centre.
Thank you for considering our centre as a venue for your child’s activity holiday. Our, family run, centre has been in operation since 1982 and in that time has run courses for thousands of young people from both on and off the Island. Our activity programmes are tried and tested and ideally suited to young people who want to do something different and more challenging.
About the Venture Centre
The Venture Centre was in it’s earlier years part of a very large farm and in converting it into sleeping and eating accommodation we have tried to preserve its real character. The centre's office and shop used to be the dairy. The dormitories, former milking parlours, provide sleeping accommodation in bunk beds. There are toilets and wash basins adjacent. Group leaders’ accommodation is in separate rooms. An additional block contains showers. The heavily timbered dining area and open plan kitchen was the ground floor of the grinding mill while the upper floor became the recreational room.
Several outbuildings and a massive Dutch barn complete the list of buildings.
Drying facilities (spinners and tumble dryers) are conveniently located so that wet kit can be dried immediately after wet activities. The glen to the north side contains the centre's purpose built assault course. Archery and orienteering take place on fields next to the centre.
If you wish to have a look around our centre prior to your child’s visit just phone us on 814240 to arrange a suitable time and date.
Our staff organise a morning, afternoon and evening activity session for your group. The centre staff are responsible for the supervision of the children during activity sessions. Outside activity sessions responsibility for supervision is with the visiting teachers.
Bed times will be at the discretion of the visiting groups however we expect lights out and quiet by 10.30 p.m. Your group’s programme will be taken from the following list of activities:-
Orienteering, archery, air rifle shooting, assault course, coastal walk, abseiling, climbing, canoeing, crate stacking, kayaking, coastal walk, high ropes course, sailing, stand up paddle boards, raft building, team building exercises, wide game, aerial runway and orienteering, ropes course, bushcraft skills, gorge walking, coasteering. Final programme will be agreed with your group leaders prior to the visit.
Our aim is maximum participation in each activity by all young persons with encouragement and help in a sympathetic manner from our instructors.
All programmes are subject to suitable weather and other safety considerations.
We reserve the right to alter activity programmes where we consider this to be necessary.
Check out our website www.venturecentre.im
Safety
Safety is our main priority. Throughout all our activity programmes we adhere to strict safety guidelines. The centre is annually inspected by the British Activity Providers Association and The Royal Yachting Association Learning Outside the Classroom, Adventuremark In addition we have our own operating procedures and risk assessments which are available for inspection.
We are approved by the Isle of Man Department of Education.
All introductory paddlesports activities take place on The Mooragh Park Lake a fully enclosed 12-acre seawater lake. The maximum depth of the lake is 1.5 metres and it is not possible to be more than 70 metres from the bank.
We allow non-swimmers to participate in water based activities if they are water confident.
Group leaders are responsible for the supervision of any non participants and for their group outside activity sessions.
As safety is our main priority where we consider that a young person may be causing a danger to themselves or others their parents or guardians will be contacted to collect them at their own expense.
All our instructional staff undergo a police check DBS check and a full induction/familiarisation course.
Fire drills take place before the first night at the centre where this is considered practical.
A qualified 1st Aider is on call on site whenever persons are resident at the centre. Instructors carry first aid kits when off site.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are produced for all our activity sessions. These are available by request.
Telephone
Under no circumstances should young persons bring mobile phones to the centre.
If it is urgent and you wish to speak to member of staff about your child you can ring at meal times (5.30 p.m.- 6.30 p.m.) and a member of staff may be available to speak to you.
We politely request that parents do not just turn up at the centre to speak to their children.
Meals
Breakfast A cooked breakfast e.g. cereals, sausage and baked beans, toast and jam/marmalade
Tea, coffee or squash.
Lunch Sandwiches with a choice of filling, a piece of fruit, biscuits and a drink of squash. Children may also cook their own lunch on a camp fire.
Evening meal A substantial evening meal ( e.g fish chips peas, pasta bolognaise, barb que , baked potatoes and assorted toppings, chicken curry and rice)
Please let us know on the medical form of any food your child is unable to eat or any other dietary requirements.
Vegetarian options are available with prior notice.
National Curriculum
All courses cover the requirements of the National Curriculum with regard to outdoor and adventurous activities.
Medical Information
Personal and medical information of all visitors must be made accessible to Venture Centre staff. Our attention should be drawn to any potential problems in advance of the visit. If your child has any unusual requirements please let your group leaders know and phone us at The Venture Centre.
Valuables
These should not be brought to the centre. We recommend a maximum of £2 per day for pocket money and suggest that group leaders take charge of pocket money. There is a tuck shop on site selling sweets, drinks and small souvenirs.
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01624 814240
contact@adventure-centre.co.uk