Making new memories for young people at Whiteley Woods Outdoor Activity Centre

Whiteley Woods OAC has been providing adventures for young people and supporting their wellbeing, for around a hundred years. Set among a mature woodland, the centre is situated on the edge of the beautiful Peak District National Park, yet only five miles from Sheffield City Centre.

Now their newly transformed centre, funded by the Youth Investment Fund, is officially open, and means more young people’s groups can come and stay at their fantastic new space. It means that many more young people can look forward to brilliant adventures in the outdoors.

A Youth Investment Fund of £400,000 enabled Whiteley Woods OAC to renovate its Grade II listed Goodwin Cottage. It’s also paid for a brand-new accessible shower room facility on site. As a small charity, a grant of this size has helped Whiteley Woods OAC to make some significant improvements to the centre that would have taken years to achieve otherwise.

Having been unused for a number of years, the work on the cottage revealed some interesting vintage décor! Most of the original internal walls, floors, and ceilings have now been removed and the cottage has been completely transformed. It now sleeps 12, in four en-suite rooms, and has a kitchen and activity room downstairs.  It has an air source heat pump and underfloor heating, making it warm, more efficient and sustainable.

Whiteley Woods OAC say:

“There are thousands of people who have happy memories of staying with us over the years, and after a challenging time navigating the pandemic it’s exciting to be moving forward and welcoming more young people to experience the benefits of our beautiful nine-acre site.”