Unforgettable School Residential Trips in Hampshire
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Welcome to YMCA Fairthorne Manor!
Hampshire’s premier school activity centre, Fairthorne Manor, is set in 95 acres of woodland and meadows on the banks of the River Hamble. We’ve been welcoming schools for residential trips for over 50 years, giving thousands of students the chance to grow, learn and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.
Our primary and secondary school residential trips offer more than just adventure; they build teamwork, resilience and confidence through over 20 outdoor activities — from kayaking and climbing to den building and obstacle courses.
Every visit is led by experienced, safety-first staff, ensuring pupils can push their limits and try new challenges while teachers have complete peace of mind. Whether you’re planning an affordable residential trip near London, looking for outdoor learning residentials in Hampshire, or need accessible school residential trips with facilities like off-road wheelchairs, Fairthorne Manor provides a unique experience your students will never forget.
High Ropes
Inspiring determination, build skills and strengthen teamwork, all while keeping the excitement high
Abseiling
Crate Challenge
Aerial Runway
Jacob’s Ladder
Climbing
On the Water
Keep the energy flowing with experiences that challenge perseverance and promote collaboration
Boat Trip
Kata Kanu
Canoeing
Kayaking
Raft Building
Stream X
Stand Up Paddle
On The Ground
Challenges to encourage determination, skills & teamwork with plenty of fun thrown in
Pioneering
Team Challenge
Blind Trail
Axe Throwing
Obstacle Course
Camouflage & Tracking
Archery
Campfire Skills
Campfire Performance
Den Building
Available Accommodation
We have accommodation available to suit a wide number of young people and accessibility types. See below a snapshot of each available option and get in touch to find out more.
Ben’s House
- Sleeps 72 young people
- 3 Wheelchair Accessible Rooms
- Leaders’ rooms (ensuite)
- Wi-Fi throughout
- On-site toilets
- On-site showers
Heald House
- Sleeps 72 young people
- Leaders’ rooms (ensuite and shared)
- Wi-Fi throughout
- On-site toilets
- On-site showers
Camping
- Sleeps up to 250 young people
- Each tent ‘village’ has a communal marquee with lighting, chairs and a fridge
- Wi-Fi available in communal rooms
- Nearby toilets
- Nearby showers
Catering & Dining
Enjoy three freshly prepared meals each day; breakfast, lunch and dinner, in our welcoming dining room. Menus are balanced, filling and pupil-friendly, with a mix of hot mains, sides and lighter options to keep everyone fuelled for adventure. We cater for all dietary requirements and allergies, including medical, cultural and religious needs; simply share details with our bookings team in advance and we’ll plan safely with you. Sample menus are available on request.
Tuck Shop
Our on-site tuck shop is open during visits with a selection of snacks, drinks and little treats; perfect for break times and evenings. Prices are pocket friendly, so we recommend bringing a small amount of spending money if pupils would like extras. If you have any questions about stock or managing budgets, our team will be happy to advise.
Safety & Support
Our friendly, flexible team keep every visit safe, inclusive and unforgettable. We use safer-recruitment practices (enhanced DBS & reference checks) and risk-assess every activity. All delivery staff are trained first aiders and we have 3 on-site defibrillators (AEDs).
Qualified instructors
Inducted on site & externally assessed by relevant National Governing Bodies.
- Archery GB Instructor
- Paddle UK Paddlesport Instructor & Coach
- ERCA High Ropes Instructor
- Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI)
Training & safeguarding
Ongoing training to keep every group safe, supported and engaged.
- First aid trained delivery staff
- Safeguarding & child behaviour management
- Engagement & inclusion best practice
- Safer recruitment: DBS & references
Accessible for everyone
We tailor activities so no child misses out on the adventure.
- Two all-terrain wheelchairs on site
- Accessible woodland, fields & activity areas
- Adjustments for individual needs
- Every student is included
What schools are saying about our residential trips
Thanks to everyone at Fairthorne. We had a great stay. The accommodation was perfect for our purpose and we appreciated how clean and tidy everything was. We also appreciated the food that was provided and the courteous welcome. Please pass our thanks on to the team.
Thank you! Springhill have had a brilliant week. Children had a great time, lots preferred camping! Thank you again for another super week. Special thanks to Henry and Sean who really looked after us, staff as well as children!
We have had an incredible time. A colleague who’d not been here before asked if it’s always this good - YES! The staff are all amazing and take care to learn the different children and their needs. The programme offers a great variety of activities and allows children of all abilities the opportunity to succeed and discover new skills.
Funded by the Baily Thomas Fund, Fairthorne Manor gave our Jubilee School pupils their first nights away in a safe, welcoming setting. Staff went above and beyond, easing anxieties and tailoring activities. We saw big gains in confidence, independence and behaviour; students didn’t want to leave.
Perfect Location
Find us at YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2GH, which is just 1 mile outside of Botley. Our 95-acre activity centre is the best setting for school residential trips.
Approx. travel times
- 2 hours from London
- 30 minutes from Portsmouth
- 1.5 hours from Reading
- 2 hours from Bristol
Transport & address
- Nearest train station: Botley
- Easy access from the M3 & M27
- Fairthorne Manor, YMCA, Southampton SO30 2GH
