DofE Expeditions, Outdoor Activities and Challenge Events.

The Adventure Element are challenge event & expedition specialists, based in the Lake District and operating across the UK.

A leading Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for professionally delivered DofE Expeditions and Gold Residential programmes for schools, groups and individuals.

Using the Lake District's natural adventure playground we deliver exceptional and inspiring outdoor activities for schools, families and groups of friends. We're here to help you enjoy new adventurous activities like Ghyll Scrambling, Via Ferrata Xtreme, Canoeing and Rock Climbing, and much more.

Our adventure challenge events, designed for charities and companies, offer unique and bespoke outdoor activity opportunities to help raise much needed funds for essential causes.

Our experience makes yours a better one.

3 decades of adventure experience.

3 decades of adventure
experience.

The best equipment available for your use.

The best equipment
available for your use.

Meticulous planning, with an eye for detail.

Meticulous planning,
with an eye for detail.

Used by Schools, Groups, Charities, Companies & Individuals.

Used by Schools, Groups, Charities,
Companies & Individuals.

What others say....

What others
say....

"Very professional, super organised and really helpful! It is fantastic to partner with a company we can trust to help facilitate our outdoor activations and events".

Josie Fabian
Senior Account Manager - Brandwave Marketing
Josie Fabian

"The ultimate was seeing our students cast aside mobile phones to saw logs and create fires with such enthusiasm! We were supremely well supported by the team throughout and would have no hesitation in returning."

John Jones
Cheltenham College
John Jones

Our flagship event - Pedal, Paddle, Peak with 150 participants, runs each year. The team provides an expert service and the delivery highly professional. We felt their passion for designing and delivering excellent challenge events.

Krishan Solanki
Challenge Events Manager - Muscular Dystrophy UK
Krishan Solanki

"They have provided inspiring and professional mountain leaders to aid our young people on their Gold DofE expedition. The team have been fantastic in supporting and communicating with us in addition to providing ideas to enhance our programme."

James Drury
DofE Manager - Scarborough 6th Form College
James Drury

"The mountain leaders for our Year 10 Geography Field-trip made sure our group were safe and well cared for, and helped us to achieve all of our goals. The team were experienced and informative and dealt with all of our young people with professionalism, care and good humour. We are looking forward to next years trip already".

Mark McNally
Head of Geography - Northfield School
Mark McNally

"From the initial enquiry, they go out of their way to accommodate our needs as well as our wishes as school staff. Incredibly positive, and supportive, every child achieved the most out of their day. Canoeing and Ghyll Scrambling have been extremely popular and provide a high-quality outdoor and adventurous experiences.

Sophie Heron
Class Teacher - Petteril Bank Primary School
Sophie Heron

"This trip was incredible from start to finish and the experience has been unforgettable. This was my first time hiking abroad and at altitude so undoubtedly I was a bit worried about it but from Day 1 the staff soon put me at ease with a relaxed and professional attitude. I can't wait to do another trip with team!"

Dawn Chessor
Toubkal Trek - Morocco

"The Himalayas blew our expectations away. The area was incredibly picturesque around every corner. The bakeries put a lot of ours to shame! The support network of every village we came to was brilliant. The sherpas, guides, team members, and team leader were fab, always makes for a great journey when you're with friends, old and new".

Participant
Everest Base Camp Trek

"Wow, now I know how to use my boots properly on the hill, crampons, ice axe and a grounding in rope skills. The course also covered navigation, weather and avalanche risk assessment - extremely good value, I’ve come away with so much. As a trainer myself (I train Doctors), I can say the instruction was very professional, paced well and friendly, with plenty of smiles and good humour. I can’t recommend enough, you can trust this organisation."

Ben Kay
Winter Skills Course

"A flawless experience from start to finish. Thank you for creating an incredible staff challenge and fundraiser for our charity partner 'Mind'. Using bikes, canoes and trekking meant the logistics for the event were complex but you seamlessly delivered a professional event which was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone".

Paul Brooks
Managing Director, Property and Asset Management - Lambert Smith Hampton
Paul Brooks

"We moved to using The Adventure Element last year for our Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions after meeting with Ben to discuss a bespoke program for our students. This year all three levels are being run through them involving over 150 students. This is a reflection of the enthusiasm from parents and their understanding of how the Awards fit into our larger adventure learning ideals. I was particularly impressed with the planning that they put into the Bronze level which included recruiting local leaders with specific knowledge"

Dr Mark Woodward
DofE Award Manager - The Stephen Perse Foundation
Dr Mark Woodward

"From the moment we booked someone was on hand to answer any queries. We had advice on the kit we needed and training requirements to ensure we were fit for the trip. On arriving in India we were very impressed with the level of organisation and how smoothly everything ran".

Holly Birtles
Stok Kangri Participant

Every year my friends hook up to compete in our very own challenge event. This year we chose the Lake District as the location. We arranged to do the Via Ferrata Xtreme and Ghyll scrambling. Everything was absolutely brilliant! The events were awesome, timings perfect and the gear provided was spot on. Never thought being cold and wet could actually be so much fun! Keep up the good work. PS - cheers for the photographs!

Nathan
Via Ferrata & Ghyll Scrambling Participant

The Adventure Element have taken the workload out of our DofE provision. Their expertise and knowledge makes the whole process really easy to handle. The instructors are great, and their support for our young people is superb. The tracking devices along with the high quality equipment provided makes our lives easier and gives parents a real peace of mind.

Andy Field
Teacher of Computing/DT/Maths - Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Penrith
Andy Field

I would highly recommend using The Adventure Element to complete your DofE award. One of the best experiences I have ever been a part of; it’s just a shame it had to come to an end. Thank you all.

Lizzie Anderson
DofE Open Expedition Participant - Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Your support, knowledge and guidance was fantastic and I definitely would not have survived the week without it! I’m sure it’s not always easy to deal with grumpy and over tired adults, but your time and dedication is really appreciated!

Christie McLennan
Open Expedition Participant - Duke of Edinburgh's Award

What an amazing team. Whenever spirits were low you appeared as if by magic to encourage and support the team. You took the right steps to ensure our safety during shocking weather and make sure we were safe and well. Couldn’t ask for a better team and 'Your Adventure in Safe Hands’ the perfect motto for a great adventure company.

DofE Expedition participant
Open Gold Expedition - Duke of Edinburgh's Award

We are Adventure Experts.

With leaders who are highly qualified, safe and love what they do, you can be assured you'll be in the best possible hands.

We are Adventure Experts.

There is nothing better than seeing someone realise that they really can do it! That's what we live for, and we love to work with and challenge people to be their best selves on our adventures. You can be sure that we will be there to support and encourage you every step of the way.

- Ben Keen, Managing Director

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Need some Advice or Inspiration?

Search our knowledge base for Trip Reports, Kit Testing, Advice and Guidance.

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