Complete your award and meet like-minded people in the heart of the Purbecks
From the tranquil waters of Poole Harbour to the dramatic limestone sea cliffs along the Jurassic Coast and everywhere in between, our activity residential explores every inch of the Purbecks while enjoying the comfort of indoor accommodation and hot showers.
Brenscombe Outdoor Centre has been a Duke of Edinburgh – Approved Activity Provider since 2018 and has helped hundreds of young people complete their DofE Gold Residential section.
Overview
5 days of activities for £390
- 5 days and 4 nights of activities
- Indoor accommodation
- Beautiful rural location
- Group cooking (including BBQ and pizza’s on a fire)
- Sea and land-based activities
A DofE Gold
Residential Activity Schedule
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
Afternoon
Arrive at Brenscombe
Introductions, centre tour and expectations
Ice breakers & Team Challenges
Delegation of roles, planning and ordering of food
Evening
Self-cooked BBQ (instructor to assist)
Catapult Challenge
Morning
Self-cooked breakfast
Rock Climbing & Abseiling at Dancing Ledge
Lunch on the cliffs
Afternoon
Continued Rock Climbing at Hedbury
Evening
Self-cooked dinner
Blind Trail & Field Games
Morning
Self-cooked breakfast
Heathland Cycle to Cleavel Point
Kayaking & Raft Building in Poole Harbour
Lunch at Cleavel Point
Afternoon
Big Canoeing Journey in Poole Harbour
Evening
Self-cooked dinner
Air Rifle Shooting & Archery
Morning
Self-cooked breakfast
Navigate to Burnbake Ropes Course
High & Low Ropes Challenges
Lunch in Burnbake Woods
Afternoon
High & Low Ropes continued
Evening
Self-cooked dinner
Outdoor Social & Campfire
Morning
Self-cooked breakfast
Bushcraft in Brenscombe Woods
Lunch cooked over your open fire
Afternoon
Review and reflection on the week
Departure from 2pm
Activities
An action-packed programme
We fill the week with a wide range of activities so you are able to maximise your time with us. Expect full days outdoors with some time to chill around the campfire at the end of the day.
You’re not on expedition anymore!
After a long day of adventures all over the Purbecks, you will rest easy in our indoor accommodation. We are fortunate to have both the luxury of indoor accommodation and the rural outside space often associated with camping. In the evenings you can see the stars and hear the Nightjars on the Purbeck Heath National Nature Reserve while still enjoying hot showers and comfy beds.
Our dorm-style bedrooms will be shared with your new DofE friends. They range from 4 or 6 beds per room with additional social spaces to hang out in your free time. The rooms are gender split and the ages of participants are considered while creating the bedding plan. Bedding is provided so don’t worry about packing your sleeping bag!
Creating the community
Once you have settled in and met both your instructors and the group, one of the first tasks is to choose your meals for the week. In small groups you will create a shopping list of goodies with the support of your instructor, ‘yes more fruit and veg’ and ‘don’t forget the marshmallows!’. Our instructors will also arrange top-up shops through your stay, to ensure you have everything you need for a feast.
The meals will be cooked as a group each evening under the helpful eye of our instructors. This is a great part of creating a community amongst your team, whether you favour cooking or clearing up, there is a role for everyone. The first night is usually a social BBQ and depending on the weather, pizzas are often created and cooked on the fire during your Bushcraft session. You will arrange your own breakfast and packed lunch each day allowing you to choose your favourites.
Any dietary needs will be discussed with and catered for by your group and instructor. The food costs are included in the overall cost so no extra cash is needed.
Keeping you safe
- All of our accommodation blocks have individual coded locks.
- Our site is private with no through road or general public access. Offering a safe and quiet place to stay.
- During your stay your instructors will be available to support you each day and a Duty Instructor will be available to you on call overnight. Senior members of our team will be in the office between 9am and 5pm.
- All specialist and personal protective equipment (PPE) for activities is provided.
Brenscombe Location
Our location is unrivalled!
Brenscombe is nestled at the foot of the Purbeck Ridge at the eastern ed of the Jurassic coast. The centre has view over the Purbeck Heath National Nature Reserve and Poole Harbour. The Purbeck Ridge is directly accessed through Brenscombe woods and from here you can see right down the Swanage coastline and onto the sea-filled horizon.
Brenscombe is only a 5-minute drive from Corfe Castle and just a simple taxi from Wareham train station. We have ample space for parking and drop off.
Click the arrows to browse our activity locations
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
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A kit list will be provided before arrival. Mainly, lots of clothes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, an activity pair of trainers or walking boots and some securely fitting closed toe water shoes (old trainers are perfect!). Don’t forget a rucksack and water bottle to head out with each day.
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We advise that each participant arrange transport directly to and from Brenscombe. If you would like to drive yourself then we have a suitable sized car park to leave your car for the week. The closest train station is Wareham and taxis can be booked from there to the centre.
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Arrival is from 12pm on Monday and the programme of activities will be finished by 2pm on Friday.
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Yes. We are fully insured to run all of our activities and have £10 million public liability cover.
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The activities will still go ahead however we will pick the safest and most appropriate activity for the conditions each day.
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All activity staff are experienced and trained to deliver our activities, where applicable they also hold National Governing Body award qualifications. All staff are First Aid trained and DBS Checked. The centre holds an Adventure Activities Licencing Authority (AALA) licence approved by HSE.
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The DofE residentials are completely alcohol-free. We will not tolerate any alcohol consumption during the week and you will be asked to leave if you are found drinking.
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Following rules set by the DofE award scheme you are able to come to the residential with one other person you know.
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Your assessor report will be completed within a week of completing your programme. It will be submitted to DofE online via the eDofE portal. Your DofE supervisor should also be able to see your report, please contact them first if there are any issues with you accessing the report.
Our Sister Centres
Looking for slightly different scenery?
We have the pleasure of running two other outdoor centres offering DofE Gold Residentials. Both have the same ethos of immersive activities, allowing you as a participant time to grow confidence and skills. All three of our centres have unique activities and landscapes to enjoy.
Our Portland site is based on the northern edge of the island and looks straight over the harbour, made famous by its use in the 2012 Olympics as the sailing venue. The quick access to the Jurassic Coast path and subsequently the cliffs allow for fantastic Rock Climbing, Abseiling and Coasteering not to mention all of the Watersports on the doorstep.
