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Kingswood Overstrand


Inspiring learning through outdoor education and adventure

Description

A trip to Kingswood is a life changing adventure. For over 35 years, our transformative school trips have encouraged primary and secondary school pupils to build confidence and resilience by taking on fun challenges.

Nestled right beside the beach in a beautiful area of North Norfolk, Kingswood Overstrand Hall residential activity centre gives young people the opportunity to get out into the great outdoors. Drive through the gates and you are greeted by a spectacular grand Lutyens Manor House. This tranquil, stately setting gives way to an exhilarating adventure activity park set amongst pretty landscaped and wooded gardens close to the main building. It is here that students can face challenging adventures, ranging from an artificial caving system, woodland problem solving course and low ropes, to a whole series of demanding initiative exercises.

Set along a coastline designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as one of our dedicated Environmental Field Studies centres, fieldwork modules may be selected according to your schools exam board from within Geography, Geology, Biology and Environmental Science. Led by our dedicated Environmental Instructor Team, all programmes can be adapted to meet the teaching syllabus of your school.

Facilities
- Outdoors: Experience the great outdoors through bushcraft and environmental sessions, or enjoy the outdoor laser zone and high ropes activities including Jacob’s ladder
- Indoors: Accommodation and classroom space in the spectacular Lutyens Manor House, plus an indoor caving system
- Gift shop: Our on-site shops sell snacks and drinks, as well as postcards, souvenirs, games and mementos
- Other facilities: Diner, cinema room, social hubs, party leader lounges, indoor classroom spaces
- Security: Coded security gates with CCTV and boundary fencing keep the site safe and secure

Accommodation
Overstrand Hall has standard dormitory style accommodation. Rooms range from 4 to 16 bed dormitories, with gender-separated bathroom and shower facilities and party leader rooms close by. Sheets, duvets and pillows are provided for all guests.


Reviews

The following reviews have been added by visit leaders using the EVOLVE system.
Overview
4.5
98 reviews


Excellent
 
55%

Very Good
 
39%

Average
 
5%

Poor
 
1%

Awful
 
0%

(November 2024 - Primary School)




(October 2024 - Secondary School)




(October 2024 - Secondary School)




(September 2024 - Primary School)




(September 2024 - Secondary School)




(July 2024 - Primary School)




(July 2024 - Secondary School)




It a good team building and bonding experience (July 2024 - Primary School)




(July 2024 - Secondary School)




(June 2024 - Primary School)




Well run center with good facilities (June 2024 - Secondary School)




teamwork, problem solving, resilience and perseverance, (June 2024 - Primary School)




(June 2024)




This review is for Kingswood West Runton. (June 2024 - Primary School)




(May 2024 - Secondary School)




(May 2024)




(April 2024 - Secondary School)




Personal growth and development. Building resilience and confidence (April 2024 - Secondary School)




It was fine -the building is a bit worn but fine. The activities are good. (March 2024 - Secondary School)




(March 2024 - Secondary School)




(January 2024 - Secondary School)




(December 2023 - Secondary School)




(December 2023)




We visited Kingswood West Runton, not Kingswood Overstrand. (November 2023 - Primary School)




(November 2023 - Primary School)




(October 2023)




None (October 2023 - Secondary School)




None (October 2023 - Secondary School)




Superb activities, food and instructors. Buildings very tired (October 2023 - Primary School)




(October 2023 - Primary School)




(October 2023 - Primary School)




(September 2023 - Primary School & Secondary School)




(July 2023 - Primary School)




Very accommodating for the needs of our SEN learners. (July 2023 - Secondary School)




(June 2023 - Primary School)




(June 2023 - Primary School)




Great venue, superbly located and really good staff team there (June 2023 - Secondary School)




Great venue, superbly located and really good staff team there (June 2023 - Secondary School)




Great location. Super helpful staff and students were able to complete their intended outcomes. (June 2023 - Secondary School)




Excellent for team-building, problem solving, developing resilience and perseverance as well as independence. (June 2023 - Primary School)




A great visit for building on friendships, independence, problem solving and fun. (March 2023 - Primary School)




Great adventurous activities. (November 2022 - Primary School)




(October 2022 - Primary School)




Also good for PSHE and Social Skills (October 2022 - Primary School)




Also good for PSHE and Social Skills (October 2022 - Primary School)




(September 2022 - Secondary School)




Teamwork and cooperation (July 2022 - Primary School)




(June 2022 - Secondary School)




(June 2022 - Secondary School)




(June 2022 - Primary School)




(June 2022 - Secondary School)




(May 2022 - Secondary School)




(May 2022 - Primary School)




(May 2022 - Secondary School)




(March 2022 - Primary School)




A good experience for the children though the centre doesn't normally cater for such a young age. Adaptions were made. (March 2022 - Primary School)




(February 2022 - Secondary School)




(November 2021 - Primary School)




(October 2021 - Secondary School)




The team at Kingswood were brilliant with all of our students. They explained all of the activities in a methodical and clear manner to ensure that everyone knew their role and the tasks in hand. They showed great patience and understanding of the needs of the students. All staff remained cheerful and happy, always responsive to all situations. The facilities at Kingswood were extremely good and well looked after and all H+S was adhered to at all times. The paperwork and Risk Assessments from them was excellent and clearly written and communication between Sidestrand and the venue was really good. (May 2021 - Secondary School)




(January 2020 - Secondary School)




(November 2019 - Primary School)




Children really enjoyed the activities and had an excellent leader however the place itself was very run down and we had a number of issues with catering. (November 2019 - Primary School)




Our school enjoyed a great fun-packed week of activities. After visiting two years ago - the only areas arising would be: accommodation - not as clean as previous. Also- being able to have a say in the activities we could do would be great as some children ended up repeating activities from previous year. (October 2019 - Primary School)




Superb environment for children to learn and develop the skills we set out to achieve (October 2019 - Primary School)




(September 2019 - Secondary School)




(September 2019 - Primary School)




(June 2019 - Secondary School)




Children enjoyed their trip, were safe and well fed. Accommodation was dated. Some group games were either boring or not well organised (June 2019 - Primary School)




The staff and facilities at Kingswood Overstrand Hall were extremely good.They were patient and caring towards our SEND students. (June 2019 - Secondary School)




It was good to see improvements made at Kingswood from the previous year in the length of the sessions - which meant that the children had more than one opportunity to try the activity - and in the menu. We had concerns with one instructor during our stay but this was dealt with quickly by senior staff at Kingswood when we raised our concerns. (May 2019 - Primary School)




(May 2019)




The activities and the staff were amazing, however the accommodation was not suitable for the size and mix of the pupils. (May 2019 - Primary School)




An excellent residential. Very well run and organised. (April 2019 - Primary School)




Very accommodating (April 2019 - Secondary School)




Wonderful Centre who were only too willing to support the group as individuals and as a whole. (March 2019 - Secondary School)




(March 2019 - Secondary School)




Good accommodation, helpful staff. Also a good location. (March 2019 - Secondary School)




Very helpful staff, great activities. (February 2019 - Secondary School)




(November 2018 - Primary School)




Staff very supportive, very aware of safety with good safety equipment. Good facilities. (November 2018 - Primary School)




(November 2018 - Primary School)




Some activities were very basic (e.g. build a marble run using two sheets of flip chart paper) and there was very little discussion about how well they were working as a team or how they could improve. The high ropes and abseiling activities were good but only 1 or 2 children could go at once meaning the children only had around 5 minutes of activity in the hour. Some activities (fencing and laser tag) did not have enough equipment for all the children to have a go at once. 29 children did the nightline with 1 instructor in the dark - this was only safe because 3 of my staff supported and ran one of the groups. The tuck shop sold children sweets telling them they did not have gelatin in, when in fact they did. (November 2018 - Primary School)




(October 2018 - Secondary School)




(October 2018 - Secondary School)




(October 2018 - Secondary School)




(September 2018 - Primary School)




(August 2018 - Secondary School)




(July 2018 - Primary School)




(June 2018 - Primary School)




(June 2018 - Primary School)




An excellent service provided which the children thoroughly enjoyed (May 2018 - Primary School)




(May 2018 - Secondary School)




(May 2018 - Primary School)




(April 2018 - Primary School)




(April 2018 - Primary School)




(March 2018 - Secondary School)




(January 2018 - Primary School & Secondary School)




Inspiring learning through outdoor education and adventure

Description

A trip to Kingswood is a life changing adventure. For over 35 years, our transformative school trips have encouraged primary and secondary school pupils to build confidence and resilience by taking on fun challenges.

Nestled right beside the beach in a beautiful area of North Norfolk, Kingswood Overstrand Hall residential activity centre gives young people the opportunity to get out into the great outdoors. Drive through the gates and you are greeted by a spectacular grand Lutyens Manor House. This tranquil, stately setting gives way to an exhilarating adventure activity park set amongst pretty landscaped and wooded gardens close to the main building. It is here that students can face challenging adventures, ranging from an artificial caving system, woodland problem solving course and low ropes, to a whole series of demanding initiative exercises.

Set along a coastline designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as one of our dedicated Environmental Field Studies centres, fieldwork modules may be selected according to your schools exam board from within Geography, Geology, Biology and Environmental Science. Led by our dedicated Environmental Instructor Team, all programmes can be adapted to meet the teaching syllabus of your school.

Facilities
- Outdoors: Experience the great outdoors through bushcraft and environmental sessions, or enjoy the outdoor laser zone and high ropes activities including Jacob’s ladder
- Indoors: Accommodation and classroom space in the spectacular Lutyens Manor House, plus an indoor caving system
- Gift shop: Our on-site shops sell snacks and drinks, as well as postcards, souvenirs, games and mementos
- Other facilities: Diner, cinema room, social hubs, party leader lounges, indoor classroom spaces
- Security: Coded security gates with CCTV and boundary fencing keep the site safe and secure

Accommodation
Overstrand Hall has standard dormitory style accommodation. Rooms range from 4 to 16 bed dormitories, with gender-separated bathroom and shower facilities and party leader rooms close by. Sheets, duvets and pillows are provided for all guests.

Opening Times

Kingswood operate from January to November, 7 days a week.

Contact

Kingswood Overstrand
Cromer
Norfolk
NR27 0JJ
LOtC

Reviews

The following reviews have been added by visit leaders using the EVOLVE system.
Overview
4.5
98 reviews


Excellent
 
55%

Very Good
 
39%

Average
 
5%

Poor
 
1%

Awful
 
0%

November 2024 - Primary School




October 2024 - Secondary School




October 2024 - Secondary School




September 2024 - Primary School




September 2024 - Secondary School




July 2024 - Primary School




July 2024 - Secondary School




July 2024 - Primary School
It a good team building and bonding experience



July 2024 - Secondary School




June 2024 - Primary School




June 2024 - Secondary School
Well run center with good facilities



June 2024 - Primary School
teamwork, problem solving, resilience and perseverance,



June 2024




June 2024 - Primary School
This review is for Kingswood West Runton.



May 2024 - Secondary School




May 2024




April 2024 - Secondary School




April 2024 - Secondary School
Personal growth and development. Building resilience and confidence



March 2024 - Secondary School
It was fine -the building is a bit worn but fine. The activities are good.



March 2024 - Secondary School




January 2024 - Secondary School




December 2023 - Secondary School




December 2023




November 2023 - Primary School
We visited Kingswood West Runton, not Kingswood Overstrand.



November 2023 - Primary School




October 2023




October 2023 - Secondary School
None



October 2023 - Secondary School
None



October 2023 - Primary School
Superb activities, food and instructors. Buildings very tired



October 2023 - Primary School




October 2023 - Primary School




September 2023 - Primary School & Secondary School




July 2023 - Primary School




July 2023 - Secondary School
Very accommodating for the needs of our SEN learners.



June 2023 - Primary School




June 2023 - Primary School




June 2023 - Secondary School
Great venue, superbly located and really good staff team there



June 2023 - Secondary School
Great venue, superbly located and really good staff team there



June 2023 - Secondary School
Great location. Super helpful staff and students were able to complete their intended outcomes.



June 2023 - Primary School
Excellent for team-building, problem solving, developing resilience and perseverance as well as independence.



March 2023 - Primary School
A great visit for building on friendships, independence, problem solving and fun.



November 2022 - Primary School
Great adventurous activities.



October 2022 - Primary School




October 2022 - Primary School
Also good for PSHE and Social Skills



October 2022 - Primary School
Also good for PSHE and Social Skills



September 2022 - Secondary School




July 2022 - Primary School
Teamwork and cooperation



June 2022 - Secondary School




June 2022 - Secondary School




June 2022 - Primary School




June 2022 - Secondary School




May 2022 - Secondary School




May 2022 - Primary School




May 2022 - Secondary School




March 2022 - Primary School




March 2022 - Primary School
A good experience for the children though the centre doesn't normally cater for such a young age. Adaptions were made.



February 2022 - Secondary School




November 2021 - Primary School




October 2021 - Secondary School




May 2021 - Secondary School
The team at Kingswood were brilliant with all of our students. They explained all of the activities in a methodical and clear manner to ensure that everyone knew their role and the tasks in hand. They showed great patience and understanding of the needs of the students. All staff remained cheerful and happy, always responsive to all situations. The facilities at Kingswood were extremely good and well looked after and all H+S was adhered to at all times. The paperwork and Risk Assessments from them was excellent and clearly written and communication between Sidestrand and the venue was really good.



January 2020 - Secondary School




November 2019 - Primary School




November 2019 - Primary School
Children really enjoyed the activities and had an excellent leader however the place itself was very run down and we had a number of issues with catering.



October 2019 - Primary School
Our school enjoyed a great fun-packed week of activities. After visiting two years ago - the only areas arising would be: accommodation - not as clean as previous. Also- being able to have a say in the activities we could do would be great as some children ended up repeating activities from previous year.



October 2019 - Primary School
Superb environment for children to learn and develop the skills we set out to achieve



September 2019 - Secondary School




September 2019 - Primary School




June 2019 - Secondary School




June 2019 - Primary School
Children enjoyed their trip, were safe and well fed. Accommodation was dated. Some group games were either boring or not well organised



June 2019 - Secondary School
The staff and facilities at Kingswood Overstrand Hall were extremely good.They were patient and caring towards our SEND students.



May 2019 - Primary School
It was good to see improvements made at Kingswood from the previous year in the length of the sessions - which meant that the children had more than one opportunity to try the activity - and in the menu. We had concerns with one instructor during our stay but this was dealt with quickly by senior staff at Kingswood when we raised our concerns.



May 2019




May 2019 - Primary School
The activities and the staff were amazing, however the accommodation was not suitable for the size and mix of the pupils.



April 2019 - Primary School
An excellent residential. Very well run and organised.



April 2019 - Secondary School
Very accommodating



March 2019 - Secondary School
Wonderful Centre who were only too willing to support the group as individuals and as a whole.



March 2019 - Secondary School




March 2019 - Secondary School
Good accommodation, helpful staff. Also a good location.



February 2019 - Secondary School
Very helpful staff, great activities.



November 2018 - Primary School




November 2018 - Primary School
Staff very supportive, very aware of safety with good safety equipment. Good facilities.



November 2018 - Primary School




November 2018 - Primary School
Some activities were very basic (e.g. build a marble run using two sheets of flip chart paper) and there was very little discussion about how well they were working as a team or how they could improve. The high ropes and abseiling activities were good but only 1 or 2 children could go at once meaning the children only had around 5 minutes of activity in the hour. Some activities (fencing and laser tag) did not have enough equipment for all the children to have a go at once. 29 children did the nightline with 1 instructor in the dark - this was only safe because 3 of my staff supported and ran one of the groups. The tuck shop sold children sweets telling them they did not have gelatin in, when in fact they did.



October 2018 - Secondary School




October 2018 - Secondary School




October 2018 - Secondary School




September 2018 - Primary School




August 2018 - Secondary School




July 2018 - Primary School




June 2018 - Primary School




June 2018 - Primary School




May 2018 - Primary School
An excellent service provided which the children thoroughly enjoyed



May 2018 - Secondary School




May 2018 - Primary School




April 2018 - Primary School




April 2018 - Primary School




March 2018 - Secondary School




January 2018 - Primary School & Secondary School