Eskdale Early Careers Centre

Where futures take shape

Our Eskdale Centre sits on the western edge of the Lake District. It’s a scenic base for apprentices and graduates taking bold first steps into their careers.

The location is simply magnificent. The centre looks out over forest and fells, and has a private tarn on site - perfect for reflection, challenge and the famous jog-and-dip that marks the start of every Outward Bound course.

This centre is used exclusively for early careers development.

The landscape

Scenic landscape with a dense green forest in the foreground and rolling hills and mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Green rolling hills and patchwork fields near a lake, with a mountain partially shrouded in clouds in the background.

Three people in small boats paddle across a calm lake with rolling hills in the background and a cloudy sky above.

What you'll do

You’ll do loads here - from hiking to canoeing to scrambling through gorges. These are just some of the activities that make Eskdale stand out.

Even fully kitted out in a wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid, the bridge jump takes some nerve. But once you leap and hit the water below, you’ll feel incredible - and ready to take on the world!

A person in a wetsuit, helmet, and life jacket appears to be falling or jumping near a stone arch bridge over a stream, with a surprised or alarmed expression.

Turning logs and barrels into a raft that floats isn’t easy. But it’s a great way to test your teamwork, problem-solving (and knot-tying). Get it right and you’ll sail across the tarn. Get it wrong and, well...you’ll need a towel.

Group of people wearing yellow helmets constructing a makeshift bridge with logs and barrels in a dense forest.

One rope. One wall. And the moment before you move. Rock climbing is about trust, focus, balance and backing yourself - just like at work. You plan your route, test your grip, and take it one hold at a time.

A young person wearing orange helmet scaling a vertical rock face with safety ropes, with a person below holding the rope in an outdoor setting.

Where you’ll stay

Nestled in a rugged valley of rivers, fells, and woodland, with a private tarn on-site, Eskdale is a powerful setting for deep reflection and leadership growth. The environment supports the real challenge at the heart of our method.

Rooms are doubles or triples (single beds), en-suite, with all bedding and towels provided. There’s also plenty of space to unpack and get comfy, as well as plug sockets for charging your phone or using a hairdryer.

A small bedroom with a single bed by large windows, a wooden bedside table with a lamp and clock, and an open closet with hanging clothes and a travel bag.

Food at Eskdale is freshly made every day by our on-site chefs, using locally sourced ingredients where possible. There’s plenty of choice at every meal - breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. We can cater for all dietary needs too, as long as we know in advance. One thing’s for sure: you won’t go hungry.

People dining at wooden tables in a richly decorated room with ornate ceiling mouldings and large windows revealing greenery outside.

In your free time, the main house is the place to wind down. There’s a bar, a games room and comfy chairs to relax in. Phone signal can be patchy, but Wi-Fi is available. The nearest village, Eskdale Green, is small and rural, but there’s a local shop where you can pick up essentials if needed.

People playing pool around a table, with some watching and others preparing to take a shot, in a room with wooden paneling and framed pictures.

Step inside

Take a virtual walk around the centre with Sasha and Jay.

A large stone building with multiple turrets and windows, surrounded by greenery and under a partly cloudy blue sky.

What adventure looks like here

A glimpse into early careers development - gone wild!

Group of people in wetsuits and helmets assisting each other to navigate a river with rocks, surrounded by lush greenery.

Group of people in wetsuits walking along a rocky path beside a river in a green valley surrounded by hills.

Four hikers with backpacks leaning on a wooden gate in front of a stone wall, with green hills and mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

Group of young men in red life jackets and yellow helmets sitting on a wooden raft by the water, preparing for a water activity, with blurred autumn trees in background.

Two people wearing yellow helmets and life jackets stand in a river surrounded by greenery, smiling as they enjoy an outdoor adventure.

Two people wearing helmets cap each other as they balance on a wooden beam among trees in a forest, engaging in a team-building or outdoor activity.

Two people in a green canoe on a calm lake surrounded by tall grass and a distant hillside under a cloudy sky.

Hikers with backpacks walking along a trail through lush green hills beside a reservoir, with steep mountains in the background.

Getting to Eskdale

Sat navs often send people through Ambleside to get to Eskdale, but trust us, that’s not the best way. It includes some of the steepest, narrowest roads in the Lakes, with 30% gradients and hairpin bends. We strongly recommend using our directions instead - they’re much more straightforward.

Directions to Eskdale Centre

From the South

Exit M6 at J36 and follow the A590 west, signposted to the West Lakes. At Greenodd turn right onto A5092. Join the A595 at Grizebeck and continue on this road to Holmrook. From Holmrook follow signs for Eskdale Green. Journey time from J36 is approximately 1 hour 15.

Two stage sat nav from the south to avoid Ambleside

Navigate to Greenodd (LA12 7RD)
From Greenodd drive to Eskdale Green (CA19 ITE)

From the North

Exit M6 at J44 and take the A689 to join the A595, the Cumbrian coast road to Holmrook. From Holmrook follow signs for Eskdale Green. Journey time from J44 is approximately 1 hour 25 minutes.

Trying to decide which Outward Bound Centre to go to?

It's a tough choice, we know! From coastal adventures in Wales, mountain peaks in the Lake District, and lochs and Munros in the Scottish Highlands, each of our centres offers something a bit different - choose the landscape that speaks to you.

Where Outward Bound began, on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia), Wales.