Information

Teachers and Group Leaders

At the Storey Arms Centre we have been working with young people and school children for over 45 years, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Safety is our priority and we are inspected and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS).

Understand the value of a visit to The Storey Arms and to see some of the work we do

Outdoor Education

The high quality outdoor education delivered at Storey Arms will have a positive impact on visiting young people, an impact that is often life changing. Being in the outdoors brings benefits such as health and well-being, stimulating curiosity and developing an appreciation of the world that surrounds them.

The benefits of a residential experience or visit to The Storey Arms include:

  • Improved relationships with others – peers and leaders
  • Resilience, self-confidence and well-being
  • Impact on achievement
  • Impact on transition
  • Impact on cohesion
  • Impact on knowledge, skills, listening and understanding

You can find out more about the benefits by reading the OEAP guide to High Quality Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel High Quality Outdoor Learning Guide

Young people are challenged and learn to manage risk whilst on activities such as gorge walking, caving, climbing, canoeing or hill walking. Evening activities may include the forest-based string trail, a night walk on the Drovers Road and orienteering/geo-caching.

Groups

We cater for:

  • primary, secondary and special schools
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
  • Youth organisations
  • Further Education colleges
  • University groups
  • Business teams for ‘away days’ and team building

Programmes

  • Residential – from one night/two day up to five night/six day
  • Day visits

Although we have ‘standard’ programmes available, all visits to the Storey Arms are designed to respond to the needs of the group, taking into account the weather on the day.

We also offer bespoke courses for those specific objectives that you may have, such as

  • GCSE, BTEC, AS and A Level
  • Welsh Baccalaureate
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Expedition and Gold Residential

Visit our Programmes section for more detail on what we offer.

Our hard working staff team is renowned for going that extra mile with all groups to ensure that your objectives are met.

Administration

Our centre administration staff will guide you through the booking procedure to confirm your visit and provide you with the resources that you may need to prepare your group.

Roles and Responsibilities

Our experienced staff team takes responsibility for the day and evening activities. Visiting staff look after the pastoral side of the visit.

School visit insurance is recommended for cancellation as a minimum. The centre is covered for Public Liability through Cardiff Council.

Buildings

All buildings at Storey Arms are maintained and inspected through Cardiff Council for all relevant health and safety areas including legionella, food hygiene standards and fire regulations.
Dormitories of 4 or 6 beds are split over our two linked buildings with leaders’ rooms alongside.
Showers and drying rooms are available at the end of each activity day.

Transport

Our fleet of minibuses is regularly inspected (every 12 weeks) and serviced. All are fitted with seat belts. All drivers hold a full D1 entitlement or have an approved Cardiff Council minibus driving test.

Staff

All outdoor tutors are highly qualified in all aspects of outdoor education delivery, including first aid.
All members of centre staff hold current Enhanced DBS certificates and Essential Food Hygiene qualifications.

Practical clothing guide

Darker clothes are best for activities. Light clothes may become very dirty and stain.

Clothes that are the best on activities include:

  • Fleece clothing
  • T-shirts like ‘Skins’ or thin thermal vest – these stay warm when wet
  • Slippers or flip flops are great in and around the centre
  • Hats and gloves all year around are useful
  • Washing up gloves for winter activity days work well!

Tips for packing

We like everyone to go home with everything that they brought with them! We do keep lost property for one month but after this time it disposed of appropriately.

Please encourage parents to:

  • Name and label all personal possessions including towels, clothing, water bottles and footwear
  • Involve their child in the packing so he/she knows what he/she is bringing – it makes it easier for them to keep track of it!
  • Leave the sweets and snacks at home – the food is amazing at the centre!
  • Pack a large plastic bag for the wet dirty clothing at the end of the stay

Like the Friends of Storey Arms on Facebook

Parents

At the Storey Arms Centre we have been working with young people and school children for over 45 years, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Safety is our priority and we are inspected and licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) 

The adventurous activity programmes we deliver will have a positive impact on your child, an impact that is often life changing. Being in the outdoors brings benefits such as health and well-being, stimulating curiosity and developing an appreciation of the world that surrounds them. Outdoor learning is known to develop self-confidence and character.

The benefits of a residential experience or visit to the Storey Arms Centre include:

  • Improved relationships with others
  • Resilience, self-confidence and well-being
  • Impact on achievement
  • Impact on knowledge, skills, listening and understanding

You can find out more about the benefits by reading the OEAP guide to High Quality Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Education Advisors’ Panel guide to high quality outdoor learning

Young people are challenged and learn to manage risk whilst on activities such as gorge walking, caving, climbing, canoeing or hill walking. Evening activities may include the forest-based string trail, a night walk on the Drovers Road and orienteering/geo-caching.

Understand the value of a visit to The Storey Arms and to see some of the work we do.

A snap shot of work done at the centre.

Buildings

All buildings at Storey Arms are maintained and inspected through Cardiff Council for all relevant health and safety areas including legionella, food hygiene standards and fire regulations.

Dormitories of 4 or 6 beds are split over our two linked buildings with leaders’ rooms alongside. Showers and drying rooms are available at the end of each activity day.

Transport

Our fleet of minibuses is regularly inspected (every 12 weeks) and serviced. All are fitted with seat belts. All drivers hold a full D1 entitlement or have an approved Cardiff Council minibus driving test.

Staff

All outdoor tutors are highly qualified in all aspects of outdoor education delivery, including first aid. All members of centre staff hold current Enhanced DBS certificates and Essential Food Hygiene qualifications. Read about the Storey Arms Team

Practical clothing guide

Darker clothes are best for activities. Light clothes may become very dirty and stain. Clothes that are the best on activities include:

  • Fleece clothing
  • T-shirts like ‘Skins’ or thin thermal vest – these stay warm when wet
  • Slippers or flip flops are great in and around the centre
  • Hats and gloves all year around are useful
  • Washing up gloves for winter activity days work well!

Tips for packing

  • Name and label all personal possessions including towels, clothing, water bottles and footwear
  • Please involve your child in the packing so he/she knows what he/she is bringing – it makes it easier for them to keep track of it!
  • Leave the sweets and snacks at home – the food is amazing at the centre!
  • Pack a large plastic bag for the wet dirty clothing at the end of the stay

Like the Friends of Storey Arms on Facebook

Pupils, Young People

Being away from home with friends from school or other organisations is a fantastic opportunity. At Storey Arms you will share experiences that will last a life time. You will learn new things, new skills and grow in confidence as the visit progresses. You will see and experience nature at its best from caves, rivers or mountain tops.

Storey Arms Centre is a warm and homely place in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It takes its name from a local drovers’ inn, demolished in 1926, and has been an outdoor education centre for more than 45 years. It sits at the source of the river Taff and beneath the highest peak in the National Park, Pen Y Fan (886m).

The members of staff are professional and friendly. They will know how to give you the best time, encourage you to reach ‘new heights’ on all activities and back at the centre.

A snap shot of work done at the centre

Your visit

On arrival you will welcomed with an introduction to the centre. You will be shown your dormitories and collect equipment from the stores such as waterproofs, boots and rucksack. These are for you to use and look after during your time at the centre.

Briefings before activities from your outdoor tutors are important times and you will need to listen carefully. You will be told all about the equipment and personal clothing you will need for the day’s activity so that you will know what to wear. Lunch is usually eaten away from the centre on activities.  You will prepare your lunch yourself, usually the evening before, and carry it in your rucksack.

During the day you will be gorge walking, canoeing, hill walking, caving or rock climbing. During the evening you will be entering the forest on our string trail or drovers walk, orienteering or using GPS’s on a geo cache course.

The food is fantastic at Storey Arms and the domestic staff caters for all dietary requirements.

Practical Clothing Guide

Darker clothes are best for activities. Light clothes may become very dirty and stain.

Clothes that are the best on activities include:

  • Fleece clothing,
  • T-shirts like skins or thin thermal vest – these stay warm when wet
  • Slippers or flip flops are great in and around the centre
  • Hats and gloves all year around are useful
  • Washing up gloves for winter activity days work well!

Tips for packing

  • Name and label all personal possessions including towels, clothing, water bottles and footwear.
  • Ask your parents if you can help pack your bags – if you know what you are bringing it makes it easier to look after!
  • Leave the sweets and snacks at home – the food is amazing at the centre.
  • Pack a large, plastic bag for the wet, dirty clothing at the end of the stay.

We encourage team work and cooperation throughout your time at the centre. It will make your stay even more fun, memorable, successful and rewarding!

© Storey Arms - Website designed by Cardiff Council Web Team

Cookie policyPrivacy policy