Families
At Skern we welcome families, couples and individuals to enjoy all our activities and facilities.
You can book activity days, residential trips, camping and even hire Skern Lodge as a venue. We take pride in our flexible approach, so in addition to a range of scheduled activities available to book throughout the year, we can create a bespoke activity experience to suit your preferences.
Get in touchActivities for families
Archery
Nock... Draw... Loose! Hit the target, measure your progress and finish with some fun archery based games and competitions. Archery teaches concentration, coordination and self-discipline.
Assault Course
Make your way through a series of connecting obstacles including the wall, rope bridges, balance beams and a zip wire.
Body Boarding
Body boarding is great fun and quick to learn too. It's a bit like surfing but on smaller boards, but unlike surfing you don't stand up, instead you lie on the board and catch the next big wave back to shore.
Climbing
Climbing is an exhilarating sport that can appeal to all levels of ability. On site we have two climbing walls. We have a low level traversing wall to practise climbing skills and a full height climbing tower with two walls to stretch and challenge.
Coastal Exploration
Coastal traversing involves climbing and scrambling around the sea cliffs. Traverse along, over, under, around and through the rocky obstacles. Try and stay dry as you find a way to dodge the rock pools. You may even come across the odd piece of shipwreck.
Hartland Day
Spend the whole day on the beautiful North Devon coastline. Explore, walk and scramble over the rugged natural features. This is an opportunity to spend time walking and coastal traversing in this amazing location. Subject to tides and conditions.
High Ropes
Our high ropes course stands 12 metres high. The course can be used for a variety of challenges - High beams, multi-vines, scramble net and trapeze to name a few!
Kayaking
Enjoy a trip along the River Torridge, our sheltered estuary. For most sessions we use Sit-on-tops, which allow for two people and as the name suggests you sit on top. But if you would rather like a closed cockpit let us know.
Powerboating
Take the wheel under the guidance of our qualified instructor and experience racing across the seas in our RIB Powerboat.
Surfing
With one of the ideal safe surf beaches on our doorstep, Westward Ho! provides the ideal location to take to the waves. We offer surf sessions using soft surfboards. These are ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers.
Holiday Clubs
Our Holiday Clubs run throughout the school holidays, for children aged 8 - 16 years. Choose a morning, afternoon or full day, or book for the whole week. Ideal for busy working parents looking for somewhere fun and exciting to entertain their children, whilst providing life enhancing opportunities.
Find out moreSwimming Pool Hire
Our pool is a lifeguarded outdoor heated pool. We welcome the public and groups of friends and families to use our heated outdoor pool. Our qualified lifeguard will be in attendance at all times, and to ensure our guest swimmers have an enjoyable spacious swim the maximum number in the pool at any time is 20.
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Pitches, Pods & Rooms
Offered during the school holiday periods, Skern is the ideal location to stay in a room, tent or one of our ensuite camping pods. Situated on the edge of the quiet coastal village of Appledore, with 22 acres of land and direct access to the tidal waters of the Taw and Torridge estuary, our site is a prime pick for relaxing north Devon holidays.
Find out moreBike Hire
Our bike hire centre, 'Tidal and Trail', is perfectly positioned in Bideford with direct access to the Tarka Trail. We offer a wide range of well-maintained bikes for all ages and abilities, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the adventure.
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Skills & Courses
Discover a range of outdoor skills courses at Skern Lodge, including NICAS climbing certifications, RYA Powerboat courses, and more. If you’re interested in a course not listed, contact us – we can often arrange a custom course to fit your requirements.
Find out moreHAF Programme
This year we are covering younger ages for our HAF programme, eligible children 8-11 years old will have a delicious hot meal on arrival and an afternoon of fun activities fully funded by the Devon HAF scheme. All bookings are made directly with the HAF booking system linked below.
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FAQs
Show FAQs
Are you open to the public?
Yes, everyone is welcome! Please be aware that all activities require pre-booking. Some activities need to be set-up or we may need specialist trainers on the premises, so we need to know in advance who is coming.
How long has Skern been operating?
We first opened in 1976 and moved to our current site in 1982.
How late can I book?
In some circumstances we may be able to arrange the following:
- Bookings made the day before
- Bookings online for the Appledore Adventure Club need to be made before 12 noon the day before.
- Last minute pool hire
- Last minute RIB charter
With the exception of the above we require at least 24 hours notice for most activities.
How do you book?
The booking process varies depending on the group size, age, activities, etc. but we do try to make it as simple as possible regardless. Give us a call and we will check availability before explaining the remainder of the process.
How safe is it?
There is risk in all we do in life and outdoor activities are no exception. We cannot say there is no risk but careful management reduces this to a very acceptable level. We are regularly inspected by several bodies: Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, British Canoeing, RYA, Health & Safety Executive, many Local Education Authority inspectors, the insurance company, company health and safety departments and several others. Furthermore we have, and regularly risk assess not only all activities but fire safety, kitchen hygiene, bunk beds, security and staircases to name but a few.
What qualifications do the instructors have?
All instructors are fully trained in the activities they deliver. All hold a first aid qualification, are signed off as competent and are regularly monitored to ensure the highest levels of safety and delivery standards are met. We also follow national governing body guidelines and fully comply with Activity Licensing regulations to ensure the correct staff are delivering the activities for which they are qualified.
Do you cater for people with dietary requirements and allergies?
Of course. The food at Skern is renowned for quality and quantity. We have vegetarian and vegan options and can cater for any dietary requirements but please let us know in advance.
Do activities continue if the weather is bad?
On the whole activities are carried out regardless of the weather. Each morning, and just before starting an activity, an assessment is made about the weather. Sometimes strong winds can make kayaking unsafe or winter cold may make surfing unsuitable. In these cases great alternatives will be found. Safety is never compromised.
Do I need to bring equipment?
All adventure equipment is provided; it is modern, checked regularly and has quality standards where available. Please bring suitable clothing for outdoor activities.
Do I need to bring my own bedding?
No for overnight stays in the Lodge beds are made up for your arrival with duvets and pillows. You will however need to bring your own towel.
Our Location
Our 22 acre site is perched on the edge of the North Devon coast near Appledore. This ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ is one of the finest outdoor playgrounds in the UK, we are surrounded by diverse geographical areas - the perfect environment to explore, learn and have fun!
About the centre
