Peak District – Geckos

5 June, 20236 June, 2023

Climbing in the Peak District, Summer 2023

The view from the top of Birchen Edge in the Peak District

Geckos will be running outdoor climbing trips in the Peak District this summer. Come and climb with us in some of the world’s best climbing at famous crags such as Stanage Edge, Froggatt and Burbage North. Camp, or stay in accommodation in the village of Hathersage, in the heart of the National Park.

Our trips are for children aged 9 and above.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL UNDER 18s NEED TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

Top-roping – £249 per person*

Monday 24 to Tuesday 25 July
Tuesday 29 to Wednesday 30 August

Aimed at beginners and upwards

Sport-climbing – £249 per person*

Wednesday 26 to Thursday 27 July

For aged 12 and above, with experience

* Cost is for 2 days, inclusive of all equipment and instruction, but NOT food, transport & accommodation

Please for details

30 March, 20212 May, 2022

Summer climbing!

With overseas travel likely to be challenging and domestic holidays booked up or over-priced, this might be the year to join one of our outdoor climbing trips.

This summer, weather and Coronavirus permitting, we hope to run a number of trips to different climbing locations in England. Cost is in the region of £99 per head, inclusive of all necessary equipment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL UNDER 18s NEED TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN.

Full details of dates and locations will be posted on our website, but are likely to include:

The Southern Sandstone in Kent
All climbing is top-roped, so suitable for beginners and upwards. Less than 90 minutes from central London, the crags of Harrison’s Rocks and Bowls are ideal for day trips.

Climbing on Harrison's Rocks, near Tunbridge Wells — Harrison’s Rocks

The Peak District in Derbyshire
Mainly top-roped climbing, though we can offer traditional lead-climbing trips for older kids and advanced climbers. Over the years we have climbed at a number of crags in the Peak, including Stanage Edge, Burbage, Froggatt, Bamford, Yarncliffe Quarry and Birchen Edge. Normally our trips run for two days during the week to avoid the crowds. Accommodation is either the North Lees campsite, or a local B&B.

A Geckos group at the popular end of Stanage Edge in the Peak District — Stanage Edge

Portland and Swanage in Dorset
We hope to run both top-roping and sports-climbing trips to these popular seaside climbing areas. Accommodation is either in campsites such as Tom’s Field, or in local B&Bs.

Sport-climbing on Dancing Ledge, near Langton Maltravers in Dorset — Dancing Ledge, Swanage

Please email us for more details.

29 February, 202030 August, 2020

AALS licensing application

Geckos is in the process of putting together an application for a license from the Adventure Activities Licensing Service to teach unsupervised groups outdoors (rather then requiring parents/guardians to attend). All being well, we hope to take our first unsupervised group to the Peak in the summer of 2020.

Coronavirus update

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the process of obtaining a license has had to be put on hold. Once the situation begins to return to (some sort of) normal, we will re-activate the application. Realistically, we’re unlikely to be able to take out unsupervised groups until the spring or summer of 2021, at the earliest.

Hang in there!

Garden Conditions of use

About

The garden is based on the principles of permaculture design. We reuse and recycle materials as much as possible, compost waste, use organic growing techniques and have created habitats to support wildlife and promote biodiversity. The fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in the garden are used in the centre’s café.

Please take some time to wander around; you can find out more about the different areas of our garden by reading the information boards.

Use of the Garden

Please be aware that other people may be using the garden to relax and enjoy some tranquillity.

Please respect the plants, insects and animals.

It is your responsibility to monitor the safety of your group and make sure that they are aware of the hazards.

Please take into consideration

The garden is a working garden; please keep to the paths, do not pick or eat anything, either in the beds or other in areas of the garden.

There are trip hazards, there may be construction materials stored here and occasionally there is work taking place.

Children and animals to be supervised at all times. Dogs, in particular, must be kept on a lead at all times and away from the growing beds. Please don’t allow dogs to foul in our garden- but if it does happen, please pick up and dispose the poo immediately.

There is a bee hive located between the Engine House (Café) and Boiler House (ground level) entrances. Do not disturb the bees.

There is a small pond in the SE corner of the garden- take special care in this area with small children.

Do not climb the trees.

Visitors who haven’t checked in to climb at reception are not permitted to climb in the centre or on the outdoor boulders. Children who are attending a group climbing session are only permitted to climb during the session under their instructor’s supervision.

Do not drink from the taps- some of these are untreated rainwater used for irrigation.

Please dispose of all rubbish and used dishes in the centre. If you have a large amount of recyclable material please ask reception or a duty manager who will be able to provide you with a large bag for the recyclables to go in.

There are a variety of plants in the garden, including some that sting or can make you ill- don’t touch anything you are unsure of.

Staff regularly monitor this area. Please report any incidents, problems or concerns to the Duty Manager.

There are men’s and women’s changing rooms with toilets inside the building (the women’s and an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities are on ground floor, the men’s is on the mezzanine floor).

There are water fountains in the centre.

If there is an incident or you require first aid please go to reception and they will contact the Duty Manager.