Bookings and information

If you want to make a booking for a date within the next seven days, please call us on 01629 534561 to check availability before completing an online booking form.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions that may help with the booking/planning of a visit! Click on one of the below links to be taken to a specific area of questions.

The Centre and our staff
Food
How to pay
Parties
Children and young people
Parents
Schools and groups
Additional needs
Meetings and conferences
Sports clubs and events

You can also visit dayoutwiththekids.co.uk for places to go in Derbyshire with children.

The Centre and our staff

Do you have public liability insurance?
Yes. As part of Derbyshire County Council, Lea Green Centre has public liability insurance.

Schools, groups and individuals wishing to insure against personal injury, cancellation, loss or damage and ill heath are advised to take out appropriate insurance.

Do you have a license for activities?
Yes. As an outdoor education and learning centre delivering adventurous activities for young people, we are required in law to be inspected and assessed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) on the safety and quality of our provision. Our license number is L14111/R1598

Are you only available for people in Derbyshire?
No! Lea Green Centre is available for everyone, everywhere! Groups of any size, any age and any ability are welcome.

Do you change activities if the weather is wet?
There’s no such thing as bad weather – only inappropriate clothing! If we stopped activities for rain, we’d never be out there – this is Derbyshire after all!

But seriously, we generally provide young people with good quality waterproofs and run our planned activities regardless of the rain.

However, if there are safety implications linked to heavy rainfall, we may amend the programme. For example, if the stream is very full, we may change your stream walk to another day or take it off your programme altogether and replace it with another activity.

Do you change activities if it’s snowing?
As with the last question, we try wherever possible to continue with the planned programme of activities despite the snow, unless there is a safety reason not to.

We often find that groups enjoy some activities even more when there’s a layer of the white stuff underfoot. GPS navigation and orienteering takes on a whole new meaning, and there’s nothing better than a toasted marshmallow over the bushcraft fire when it’s freezing!

Advice on valuable items:
We prefer that you leave electronic equipment, mobile phones and valuable items at home, and we advise against wearing any new or white clothing! Any items brought to the Centre will be held at the individual’s own risk and the Centre will not be held responsible should they be lost or damaged.

Are your staff first aid trained?
Yes. All our development staff complete a two day first aid course every three years, incorporating primary and secondary care, CPR and AED (defibrillator) training.

What should parents/guardians do about medical conditions and illness?
When completing your Booking Form and Consent Form, please give us as much information as possible about any medical conditions, illnesses or medication your child has.

If your child develops an illness whilst at Lea Green Centre, we will assess the seriousness and will either encourage them to stay with the support of our staff, ask you as a parent to collect them or arrange for transport home, or arrange for professional medical care.

Do you provide carers / support workers?
No, our instructors are very experienced in working with people who have disabilities and additional needs. However, we do not provide personal care, and request that carers, support workers or family members come along if a participant requires this.

Do you lend out any equipment?
We can provide a limited number of waterproof jackets and trousers and wellington boots for groups to use while they’re here.

All specialist equipment (harnesses, helmets, buoyancy aids etc) is provided as part of your course.

How secure is Lea Green Centre?
To ensure the security of our visitors here at Lea Green, we have door codes on external doors.

All visitors report to reception on arrival and are issued with name badges and the front gates are closed at night.

Do any of your staff stay overnight?
Yes, all residential groups staying in the main house will have a Lea Green member of staff on duty. If there are self-catered groups in Meadow Lodge, the Cottage or camping then there may not be a Lea Green member of staff staying overnight, but there will always be someone on call if you need help.

Can we come and have a look around first?
Yes! For some people with additional needs, especially those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, learning difficulties or behavioural issues, a pre-visit can often be very reassuring.

Food

What’s the food like?
Our food is delicious (especially the puddings!), schools and groups have the option of either packed lunch or a sit down meal at lunchtime, and then have a sit down hot meal at dinner time. Meals are served ‘family style’ in our large dining room, with young people encouraged to serve each other with the food on offer. Please see our sample menus for more information.

If you don’t like anything or can’t eat certain things, we can get you something else, so don’t worry.

Do you cater for special diets?
We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements not limited to gluten free, vegetarian and dairy free. Please note, Halal diets will be offered the vegetarian option.

Please let us know on your Booking Form and Consent Form if your child has any allergies or special diets. We can then prepare properly for their visit. If your child has serious allergies or you are concerned about any aspect of the catering service, please feel free to contact our housekeeping team.

For residential groups staying at the Centre: Children with special dietary requirements (eg allergies, vegetarian) will visit the kitchen with a member of visiting staff, along with their Lea Green course leader on the first day of the visit. This is to discuss any particular needs and agree a menu for the duration of your trip.

Children with allergies will be given a red wrist band to wear and a red card to place next to their plate at meal times. Children who are vegetarian or vegan will be given a green wrist band to wear and a green card to place next to their plate at meal times. It is the responsibility of the visiting staff to ensure children wear their wrist bands and display their cards during meal times.

(Please note, we cannot always fulfil brand-specific requests – please feel free to discuss this with our housekeeping staff if you have any questions.)

How to pay

You can make a payment for a Lea Green Centre booking by:

Debit card – call the Centre office on 01629 534561
Cheque – made payable to ‘Derbyshire County Council’
Cash – payable at Lea Green Centre main office Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

When payment is required by can be found on individual booking forms.

Parties

Lots of FAQs can be found on our dedicated parties website here.

Children and young people

What should I expect when I get to Lea Green?
As you come up the drive, the first things you will see are our amazing obstacle course and a massive mansion that looks quite a lot like Hogwarts (don’t worry, we don’t have any wizards, ghosts or ghouls staying with us!).

Your trip will be packed full of brilliant activities – all we ask is that you try your hardest, help your friends and have lots of fun!

See our list of activities to get excited about what you might do here!

What if I miss home?
For lots of children and young people, this is their first time away from home and we understand that staying in a new place can be a bit scary.

Please don’t worry! Your teachers or group leaders and your lovely Lea Green instructors will be on hand if you miss home a bit, and before you know it you’ll be enjoying activities again!

What are the bedrooms like?
Your bedrooms are called dormitories, and you’ll sleep in bunk beds (no fighting over the top bunk!). This means that you’ll be able to unpack your things and sleep in a bedroom with some of your best mates!

What should I pack?
We have provided a full kit list so you don’t forget anything important. See our kit lists to see what you need depending on the season.

Is there anything I shouldn’t bring?
We prefer that you leave electronic equipment, mobile phones and valuable items at home, and we advise against packing any new or white clothing! Any items brought to the Centre will be held at the individual’s own risk and the Centre will not be held responsible should they be lost or damaged. Please see our kit lists for more information.

Parents

What is your accommodation like?
Accommodation for children and young people is in warm, comfortable dormitory style bedrooms with bunk beds. The majority of rooms are located in the main house – a 19th century mansion often likened to Hogwarts!

Boys and girls sleeping areas and bathrooms are split.

Bed linen is provided, but you will need to pack your own towel.

Will my child be able to call home during their stay?
We don’t encourage phone calls home as this tends to make children a little homesick!
We will not contact parents unless there is a medical or behavioural issue.

How can I contact my child while they’re at Lea Green?
We don’t encourage parents to contact their child while they are staying at Lea Green, unless it is an emergency.

If you do need to contact your child due to an emergency, please call 01629 534561.

Should my child take pocket money with them?
We do have a tuck shop, where children can buy sweets, drinks and souvenirs and we allow children to bring a small amount of money to spend here. We recommend sending your child with small change instead of notes.

The amount of money is usually decided by the school or group.

Is there anything my child shouldn’t bring?
We prefer children to leave electronic equipment, mobile phones and valuable items at home, and we advise against packing any new or white clothing! Any items brought to the Centre will be held at the individual’s own risk and the Centre will not be held responsible should they be lost or damaged. Please see our kit lists for more information.

Schools and groups

Can we come and have a look around first?
Yes! We encourage schools and groups to visit Lea Green before their trip or even before they’ve booked. This allows you to see the full extent of our facilities and gives you the chance to ask questions.

This is usually when teachers and group leaders feel inspired and get really excited about their trip, and we start to get a good idea of what you want.

We run open evenings and Teacher Tasters, usually in September or October to look ahead to the year. Alternatively, we can give you a tour of the site at a time that suits you.

Do we have to pay for teachers to come?
Each school or group is allocated one completely free teacher or leader place per course. All other teachers and group leaders are only charged for their food costs.

Will I be able to make phone calls whilst at Lea Green?
Visiting staff are welcome to use their mobile phones at Lea Green, although signal can be a bit hit and miss.

We provide a phone in the visiting staff room for your use.

Do you have internet access?
Yes. There is a computer in the visiting staff room with internet access. We also have free wi-fi in the public areas of the site (visiting staff room, lounge, dining room, Potting Shed and Meadow Lodge) and have a number of notebook computers for your use during your stay.

Additional needs

Can we come and have a look around first?
Yes!

We encourage people to visit Lea Green and Meadow Lodge before their stay or before they book. This allows you to see all of our facilities for yourself and gives you the chance to ask questions.

For some people with additional needs, especially those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, learning difficulties or behavioural issues, a visit before your trip or break can often be very reassuring.

It also gives you the chance to be inspired about what might be possible during your visit – you may never have considered wheelchair abseiling or rock climbing before – and also to meet our experienced, friendly and understanding staff.

Can we come as a family?
Yes!

Our specialist accommodation, Meadow Lodge, is perfect for families to enjoy short breaks or holidays, just as you would in any other holiday cottage. Find out more information about Meadow Lodge

Do you provide carers / support workers?
No.

Our instructors are very experienced in working with people who have disabilities and additional needs. However, we do not provide personal care, and request that carers, support workers or family members come along if a participant requires this.

Are you available for people without disabilities or additional needs?
Yes. Meadow Lodge is available to accommodate children and adults with disabilities or additional needs, along with their families and friends.

We often find that siblings, friends and family members wish to take part in activities alongside the person who has additional needs. We love this! The more the merrier!

Are adults able to come?
Yes. We welcome adults with and without additional needs.

Are you only available for people in Derbyshire?
No! Lea Green and Meadow Lodge are available for everyone, everywhere! Groups of any size, and people of any age and any ability can come to Lea Green from anywhere.

Can we do self catering?
Yes. Meadow Lodge has a large catering standard kitchen, which you are welcome to use.

Do you provide bedding?
Yes. Bedding is provided in Meadow Lodge. A laundry facility is also available for your use. Please bring your own towels!

Do you lend out any equipment?
All equipment within Meadow Lodge is available for you to use and includes specialist crockery and cutlery, hoists, rotunda and much more.

We can provide you with waterproof jackets and trousers and a limited number of wellington boots for activities. We also have a number of wheelchair cosies and additional equipment for your use.

Do you have accessible transport?
No.

Do you have internet access?
Yes. Free wi-fi is available in Meadow Lodge. The bungalow also has a large computer suite with accessible computers and internet access.

Do any of your staff stay overnight?
There is usually a member of staff on site overnight if there is a group staying in the main house. On occasions when there isn’t, you will be given a duty call out number for emergencies.

Will I be able to make phone calls whilst at Lea Green?
Mobile phone signal can be a bit hit and miss at Lea Green and there is no signal in Meadow Lodge. Meadow Lodge has a payphone and a phone in the Control Room, which you are welcome to use.

Do we have to pay for teachers / support workers to come?
Each school or group is allocated one completely free teacher or leader place per course. All other teachers and group leaders are only charged for their food costs.

Meetings and conferences

How many people can your meeting / conference rooms hold?
Depending on the layout you choose, the rooms can hold between 20 and 60 people.

Do you provide any equipment?
An extensive range of conference equipment is available to hire for meetings and conferences, including laptops with Powerpoint, TV and DVD players and projectors, as well as printing and laminating facilities.

Can we get lunch as part of our meeting?
We can offer catering for your meeting or event, with options including sit down meals, hot and cold buffet lunches and packed lunches or a simple selection of drinks, cakes and biscuits.

Do you have wi-fi?
Yes. Free wi-fi is available in all the communal areas in the main house, including the meeting and conference rooms, as well as in the Potting Shed and Meadow Lodge.

Can the rooms be rearranged?
Yes. Rooms can be arranged as you wish. Please note, this may affect the number of people the room can hold.

Do you provide free parking?
Yes. We have ample parking spaces next to the main house.

Sports clubs and events

Can I book facilities for a one-off event?
Yes! We can host any event, large or small.

Can I book facilities for long term projects?
Yes! Our facilities are available to be booked on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

Do you provide any equipment?
We have some sports equipment and equipment for events – please enquire when booking.