Welcome to YMCA Lakeside - YMCA National Centre, Lakeside

Schools & Youth Groups

Our school trips offer a fun, unforgettable outdoor learning experience for young people. Our residentials take place on the quieter and wilder side of England’s longest lake. We’re surrounded by 100 acres of private woodland. Stay on land or hop on the water. The choice of activities is endless, with over 50 to choose from. We build confidence, skills and brighter futures.

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Your Base

Your group will be based in our swish Stoller centre, with a hotel like reception area, over 250 beds, en-suite shared rooms, drying rooms, and a counter served restaurant.

Once here, everything you need is on site, including around 50 land and water-based activities. It keeps travel time and miles to a minimum.

The children achieved so much and their self-confidence grew through the power of teamwork and resilience. We cannot wait to return next year so more pupils can experience the magic of Lakeside.

Louisa Martin, Deputy Headteacher, Trinity St Peter’s Primary School, Formby

Lakeside was the perfect place to take our 90 Year 12 students. Over the two days they became much more confident, developed new friendship groups and became genuinely more caring for each other. I do not think anywhere more suitable can possibly exist.

Alan Corner, Head of Sixth Form, Bede Academy, Blyth, Northumberland

This was our fifth year at Lakeside and every year the students have a fantastic time and want to return when in Year 13! It is superb value for money and I would recommend the YMCA without hesitation.

Sharon Minta, Bridgewater School, Manchester

I had a fantastic experience at the YMCA National Centre at Lake Windemere, mainly because of the jam-packed activity schedule. My friends and I were never bored. Each activity was exciting and different and every one of our instructors was really fun.

Anna Guest (Year 9), Heckmondwike Grammar School

Latest News & Events

Children canoeing activity on Lake Windermere

YMCA Lakeside – outdoor instructors all set for a new season

A new intake of instructors, at one of Europe’s largest outdoor activity centres, Lakeside, Windermere, is being put through their paces ahead of the season starting.

Otters return to Lakeside for the winter

If you need something to warm your heart on a cold winter morning, then what better than this glimpse of otters playing near Lakeside.

Do you know how the YMCA has shaped all of our lives?

With more than 58 million members in over 120 countries worldwide, the YMCA is the world’s largest youth movement. But few people know just how much the YMCA has shaped our history.

Ground Breaking Work At YMCA National Centre Lakeside

Seven years of hopes, dreams and hard work have reached fruition as the big build on the new Schools facility gets underway at YMCA Lakeside in Newby Bridge.