Some bring their
Troops to Gradbach for a taste of
authentic Scouting and to practice
the old skills of Pioneering and
Backwoodsmanship. Whether this
means rope bridges across the
River Dane, Bivouacs in the
Training Ground or Orienteering
around Back Forest, Gradbach has
it all.
Others use our
beautiful site as a base to
explore the magnificent Peak
District and then there are the
thrill seekers who come to
experience climbing at the famous
'Roaches', pot holing, hang
gliding, canoeing or sailing at
nearby venues.
Here we hope to
give you a taste of some of the
many activities available either
on the site or within easy reach
for weekend and longer term
visitors alike.
If
you have any specific requirements
please ask. Our friendly and
experienced staff will be
delighted to share their extensive
local knowledge with you.
Derbyshire
Scouts Activity Support Unit
- looking for some assistance or
support with your camp activities?
Please follow
this link for activity
contacts and events in Derbyshire.
On and
Off Site Activities and Facilities...
Climbing
The best
routes at the Roaches are generally VS and
above. It is split into three main areas,
the Lower Tier, Upper Tier and Far
Skyline. At VS there is Valkyrie plus
Black and Tans, at HVS The Sloth and
Saul’s Crack are the most famous and
testing.
There
are a good number of epic struggles on the
Lower Tier, Valkyrie direct and the
Mangler spring to mind. Whether you are
teaching beginners the art of climbing or
abseiling or seeking adventure as an
experienced climber, you'll find what
you're looking for at the Roaches.
This
pretty outcrop is where ex-1st Buxton
Scout and 'old boy' of Gradbach Simon
Nadin learnt his craft before going on to
be the first Climbing World Cup Champion
in the history of the sport.
Need
help? The Derbyshire
Climbing (Scout Active Support Unit)
offers a selection of rope based
activities for all ages. This includes
indoor & outdoor climbing, abseiling,
crate stacking, training and assessments
for permits.
Walking
Whether
you are a long distance walker, a
mountaineer, a gentle stroller, walking in
the Peak District is for you.
Walking
in the Peak District offers a diverse
and delightful mixture of countryside
from which to choose. You may prefer to
trek across exposed moorland where
walkers now have more freedom to roam,
thanks to the recently introduced Access
rights. Alternatively there are easier
paths to pursue, especially around the
White Peak where walkers can descend
into the Derbyshire Dales and follow
riverside paths, woodland tracks or
simply cross fields and stiles over an
undulating landscape with glorious
far-reaching views.
Sailing,
Windsurfing & Kayaking
Our closest
provider for water activities is
Tittesworth Resevoir, just 7 miles by
road, between the Roaches and Leek. Open 7
days a week they offer a full range of
water sports, archery, axe throwing and
team building activities..
Tittesworth
Water Sports and Activity Centre is a
British Canoeing Accredited Centre.
Bordering the Peak District National Park,
Tittesworth offers visitors a range of
water sports activities (including Raft
Building, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding as
well as, fishing and other tailored
activities).
Pot
Holing and Caving tours and instruction is
provided by a number of local
organisations including Peak Activities
and
Outdoor
Instruction.
Alternatively, everyone can explore
Poole's Cavern
in Buxton, a 2 million year old natural
limestone cave situated in the beautiful
woodland of Buxton Country Park.
Pony
Trekking
Northfield
Farm Riding & Trekking Centre is about
2.5 miles away at Northfield Farm, Flash
Village, Quarnford, Buxton, Derbyshire,
SK17 0SW. Tel: 01298 22543
Hacking
and trekking on an hourly or daily
basis. British Horse Society Approved.
Weekend trail rides through the
Derbyshire Dales and Chatsworth estate,
with overnight stay in Bakewell. Horses
for all ages over 7 years. Groups and
disabled riders welcomed. Open all year
round. Telephone for current rates.
Cycling
The
terrain around Gradbach is a favourite
destination for cyclists of all types; the
ruggedly diverse landscape provides an
excellent challenge for road cycling and,
Mountain biking alike, and supports many
scenic cycle-routes which run through the
heart of the breathtaking countryside.
We
have a small selection of
pioneering poles available. If you
wish to use them, or require them
transporting to a camp site,
please ask a member of the Camp
Staff. For safety reasons we do
not supply ropes with the
pioneering poles, you will have to
bring them along with you.
Camp
Chapel
St
George’s Camp Chapel was
officially opened and dedicated in
1966 by Reverend Craven of Buxton.
Situated off the lane behind the
Cottage, it is unique in that it
is an open air chapel and is ideal
for all types of services, we have
even had two weddings conducted
there ! Even if you are not
religious it is well worth 5
minutes of your time, especially
in the summer months when it is at
its most peaceful and tranquil.
Go-Ape!
Go Ape
is an award-winning high wire
forest adventure course of
rope bridges, Tarzan Swings
and zip slides up to 40 feet
up in the trees. Appealing to
a wide age range, customers
are fitted with a climbing
harness, given instructions,
and then trek from tree to
tree high above the forest
floor.
Go Ape is
located by Poole's Cavern and
Buxton Country Park which is
1/2 mile from Buxton town
centre on Green Lane.
From A6 and
A53 follow brown direction
signs for Poole's Cavern to
B5059 / A515 junction and
follow Green Lane for 1/2
mile. Bus and rail links to
Buxton town centre are 15
minutes walk to Poole's
Cavern.
Orienteering
Course
Orienteering
courses of varying difficulties
are set out within the camping
ground boundaries. Originally
mapped out by Business and
Leisure students from Buxton’s
High Peak College and recently
updated by the University of
Derby, the orienteering course
is ideal for passing a couple of
hours away whilst learning
practical skills.
Camp Fire
Want to
participate in a traditional
camp fire ? Close to Site 6 (see
camp site map) we have a unique
camp fire circle. Constructed in
an old stone quarry crescent
shaped hollow, the terraced
seating area gives an ideal
location for an evening activity
around a camp fire.
Nature Trail
In association
with the Peak National Park, the
site has its very own nature
trail, which takes in the
various types of flora, fauna
and wildlife that can be found
at the Camp Site. Leaflets are
available from the Camp HQ, or
can be downloaded here. (to be
done).
Camp Providore
The Camp
Providore is located at the left
hand end of the Farmhouse
accommodation. It stocks a wide
range of souvenirs, sweets,
drinks, miscellaneous camping
items and other handy
knick-knacks. There is no set
opening time, it is just a case
of asking a member of the Camp
Staff if they will open it for
you at a pre arranged time, or
there and then.
Telephone
A payphone is
situated in the entrance to the
Rover Den and is marked
accordingly on the door. The
phone is only equipped for out
going calls and has the same
facilities as most public
payphones found elsewhere.
Most mobile
networks do now work in and
around Gradbach, although
reception can occasionally be
poor, dependent on which
direction you are facing !
Our closest
provider for water activities is
Tittesworth Resevoir, just 7 miles by
road, between the Roaches and Leek. Open 7
days a week they offer a full range of
water sports, archery, axe throwing and
team building activities.. 
