Field Studies Council - Blencathra - Keswick

Amir T.

I recently had the pleasure of accompanying a group of sixth form students on a Geography trip to Blencathra Field Studies Centre to study glaciation in the Lake District, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! From start to finish, the trip exceeded expectations.
The tutors at Blencathra were exceptional - knowledgeable, engaging, and truly inspiring. Our tutor, Alex, not only shared a wealth of information but also tailored each session to suit the unique needs of our group. Her enthusiasm for Geography was infectious, creating an environment that made complex topics both accessible and exciting.
The centre itself was incredibly accommodating. The staff went above and beyond to ensure all our needs were met, from dietary requirements to ensuring the comfort of our rooms. The rooms were great and featured en-suite wash facilities, which made our stay even more comfortable. The food was another highlight - delicious, plentiful, and catered to all tastes, so no one went hungry after a busy day of fieldwork.
The Lake District scenery was absolutely stunning. The views from the centre were breathtaking, and the nearby fieldwork sites provided an ideal setting for learning in the great outdoors. It truly brought our Geography lessons to life in such a beautiful and inspiring environment.
Blencathra Field Studies Centre provided an enriching, educational, and thoroughly enjoyable experience. It was the perfect choice for our Geography trip, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any school seeking expert tutoring and a stunning location for fieldwork in one of the UK's most beautiful regions!

Dongting X.

spent five days here on fieldwork for my uni degree and overall had a great time 🙂 the staff are all super friendly and food is pretty much what you’d expect for a centre catering for over 100 at times- appreciated it being healthy and pretty nourishing though! rooms were pretty standard so no complaints there, and the lounge and recreation areas provided comfort for when the study days were over. goes without saying that the views and are incredible!

al C.

I came here on a university field trip for 5 days. This was my first time visiting the Lake District and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was really nice to constantly hear birds chirping and bees buzzing. There was an abundance of wildlife for us to study and plenty of plants to observe. Blencathra is surrounded by scenic skies and beautiful hillsides. There are many walks for different experiences. I am vegetarian and there were quite a few people with special dietary requirements which were all catered for. In our free time we enjoyed exploring the grounds, playing basketball, and the on site bar.

Oliver L.

After having read the previous reviews, like many others I’m sure, I was not filled with the best feeling of joy in the world. However, my real experiences at FSC Blencathra told a different story.

The staff are very friendly and approachable, and the accommodation is not bad at all! There are a variety of different sized rooms and sizes, and (contrary to popular reviews’ beliefs) there wasn’t any smell in the rooms (aside from the countryside and the curry that was cooking!). The only thing that was an issue was who exactly you share a room with, like with any residential, and I definitely recommend knowing who you’re going to be with beforehand. Other than that, the bunk beds are somewhat comfortable and you can recharge (and get a decent sleep!) after a hard day of human or physical fieldwork.

There is a dry room - well, more like humid room - so your stuff can get somewhat dry in the Lake District weather, and there are a range of walking boots and waterproof trousers available (no need to lug around a pair of wellies) if you don’t mind pre-worn ones. On the site there is also a small library for private study/research/NEA planning, a games/social room and some classrooms which are comfortable. That’s not to mention the basketball court, TVs and vending machines!

The food isn’t too bad either but far from the worst, as expected when accomodating for a range of schools and their students! Lunch and breakfast meals are self-served, with the evening meal being nice and you could always put your name down for the alternative option if you’re not up for the main one.

Finally, depending in the day of course but the views immediately south down the valley, combined with the nature and flowers are stunning, you might even get a glimpse of Helvellyn if the clouds aren’t in the way!

Overall, it’s a decent place with great views nestled in the northern half of the Lake District and great to have some fun with your classmates or friends thanks to the facilities not only within the site but also in the surrounding towns and villages.

Jodie G.

Amazing stay with Geology Alevel students. Staff were great and knowledgeable, food was brilliant and the students had a great week!

agsty

Food:
Frequently bland with small portions with 1 sausage for a breakfast bap

Rooms:
Poorly sealed windows with frequent leaks after snow/rainfall

Bathrooms:
Cramped, with 4 toilets + 4 showers being shared between a group of 15+

Beds:
Poor quality mattresses that lack structure and back support

Staff:
Teachers are well informed and good at explaining tasks/theory

Entertainment:
Complementary TV, table football, and table tennis, although the equipment has definitely seen better days

Aidan M.

Came for a university field trip. Great facilities, good food and unreal views

Rob N.

We've been running trips here for many years and I always look forward to coming back. Staff are great - helpful and friendly across the board. Rooms are clean, comfortable and warm. The food is simple but good. The location is superb with beautiful views. Great choice for groups, particularly large ones like ours.