Stanley Head OEC

Stanley Head OEC Stanley Head is an Outdoor Education Centre based in the Staffordshire Moorlands on the edge of the stunning Peak District.

It is ideally located to provide a wide range of educational, challenging and adventurous activities. We’ve been the centre of choice for many schools and groups for almost 40 years, so have a wealth of experience to help make your visit a success.

Now those pesky pigeons have finally left their nests, we're wondering if anyone is chopping their conifers down and wou...
22/09/2026

Now those pesky pigeons have finally left their nests, we're wondering if anyone is chopping their conifers down and would like us to help them dispose of it...😜.

We'd be more than happy to come with our trailer and bring your big green branches back to Stanley Head so that 100s of children can make dens and shelters in our woods!

If you do, we'd love an email at [email protected] and we'll arrange a time to suit you - Leek, Newcastle, Stoke, Stone all ok for us!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!Next year will mark 60 years since the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation (as the council was then known) paid ...
14/08/2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

Next year will mark 60 years since the Stoke-on-Trent Corporation (as the council was then known) paid retiring farmer Mr W Myatt £25,000 for the 65 acre Stanley Head Farm.

The Corporation had already been leasing a small corner of the farm next to the reservoir since 1960 for outdoor pursuits but due to its small size could only cater for 16 at a time... and only boys! With the farm now up for sale, this valuable resource for the city's children was suddenly at risk.

With some great vision from the Corporation and the tireless efforts of the then Warden Mr A. Mountford, work quickly began on converting the old farm buildings and by 1973 Stanley Head was hosting 5,000 boys and girls a year ranging from infant to high school ages, for a range of activities and educational experiences.

Much of the land was leased immediately to farmers and in 1976, as part of the Local Government Reorganisation (sound familiar..?) this land was sold off and continues to be farmed today. What was left - a very ample 20+ acres - continues to form Stanley Head OEC as we know it today.

The farmhouse remained a private residency until 1986 at which point it was converted into dormitories. The centre, now managed by David James who led this significant refurbishment, decided to name the building Myatt House in acknowledgement of the family that had worked the farm for so many years before. If Mr Myatt hadn't agreed to lease the land by the reservoir in 1960, Stanley Head OEC would not exist today.

To enquire about booking your school, youth group, family, business (or other group!) for a visit to Stanley Head OEC please drop us an email at [email protected].

Images - the estate agent's brochure for the sale of the farm, and the original set up by the lake from the early 1960's.





A fabulous multi-activity day last week with Axe Throwing, High Ropes, Climbing, Abseiling and Archery - and what a grea...
11/08/2026

A fabulous multi-activity day last week with Axe Throwing, High Ropes, Climbing, Abseiling and Archery - and what a great group of kids!

Still some summer activity places next week for 8-13 year olds:

Monday - Multi-activities
Tuesday - Going Underground
Thursday - Bushcraft and Survival Skills.

To book, follow the link in comments!

We reckon that after a day with Matt and Josh in the woods, these lot could probably survive months on a desert island...
07/08/2026

We reckon that after a day with Matt and Josh in the woods, these lot could probably survive months on a desert island (..... as long as there are blackberries, marshmallows and choccie biscuits 😂).

✅ Shelter Building
✅ Fire lighting (lots of different ways!)
✅ Foraging
✅ Jam making
✅ Bread baking
✅Tool making and stick whittling
✅ Smores of course!

If you think your child would love this, we still have a couple of places for our next Bushcraft day on Thursday 20th August - follow the link in comments to book on 👍

What could be more fun than exploring a very old abandoned lead mine in the Peak District!?!?These youngsters had a fant...
07/08/2026

What could be more fun than exploring a very old abandoned lead mine in the Peak District!?!?

These youngsters had a fantastic time this week on Stanley Head's Going Underground day - we only have one more of these days left this summer on Tuesday 18th August, with a few spaces still available👍.

If you think your child (8-13 years) would love this experience, please follow the link in comments to book them on!

A great day spent at the Roaches yesterday with our Summer Activities day Rock Climbing, Weaseling and Bouldering!Still ...
31/07/2026

A great day spent at the Roaches yesterday with our Summer Activities day Rock Climbing, Weaseling and Bouldering!

Still a few spaces next week if you'd like to book your child in for some fun and adventure!

See comments for link to book...

We kicked off our summer activities on Monday with a cracking canal trip on the nearby Caldon Canal with some intrepid y...
30/07/2026

We kicked off our summer activities on Monday with a cracking canal trip on the nearby Caldon Canal with some intrepid young explorers! Then back to Stanley Reservoir for some paddleboarding in the glorious sunshine ☀️.

Don't worry, you still have time to book your child for a day (or days) next week:

Monday - Bushcraft and survival skills
Tuesday - Watersports
Wednesday - Peak Rock (climbing and bouldering)
Thursday - Caving / Mine exploring
Friday - Multi-Activities.

All days open to 8-13 year olds, and all activities run by qualified, experienced and friendly instructors. Stanley Head OEC is a fully licensed, Gold Standard centre.

To book, follow the link in the comments. For all enquiries please call on 01782 503208 or email [email protected].

Wondering how to keep your children entertained over the summer holidays? Look no further than Stanley Head's fun and ex...
13/07/2026

Wondering how to keep your children entertained over the summer holidays? Look no further than Stanley Head's fun and exciting Summer Activity programme for 8-13 year olds!

Climbing, caving, kayaking, archery, abseiling, axe throwing, orienteering, r***e shooting, weaselling, crate stacking, high ropes, bushcraft - all on offer over a four week period!

9.30-4.00 every day, only £36 per child - all activities delivered by experienced and qualified instructors!

For more info, or to book, follow the link in the comments....



Still places, so why not treat your children to a day, or a week, of activities, fun and fresh air!
11/06/2026

Still places, so why not treat your children to a day, or a week, of activities, fun and fresh air!

We're thrilled to see the bookings coming in for this Summer's Activity Programme at Stanley Head OEC!If you want to boo...
18/05/2026

We're thrilled to see the bookings coming in for this Summer's Activity Programme at Stanley Head OEC!

If you want to book your children on for anything from a single day to a week, or even more, please follow this link - https://shorturl.at/lHcCY.

Lots of activity day choices to choose from, for children from 8 to 13 years!




Address

Tompkin Road, Stanley
Stoke-on-Trent
ST99LY

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