5K residential 2026 Day 1

We have had a super first day!

We had a good journey up by train, changing at Leeds, and arrived right on time: a big thank you to Northern Rail for free tickets and train safety resources. It is a great service.

After settling in to Gearstones Lodge, we had an afternoon on the Ingleton Waterfall Walk – 4.5 miles up the River Twiss Gorge and down the River Doe Gorge. The children all walked really well. After recent rain, the waterfalls were spectacular! We discussed the geology of waterfalls and features of rivers. Our usual paddling spot was too deep and fast-flowing, so we paddled in a tributary instead. Despite being only 11 or 12 degrees, most children eagerly got into the water and some got soaking wet. One child used a slab of rock as a slide and then discovered he’d forgotten/misunderstood and hadn’t brought a change of clothes – d’oh! Fortunately, we were close to the end of the walk and our fish and chips.

After some recreation time, almost all the group had a map-reading lesson and went on a night walk. We set off just before 9pm and got back at about 10.45 – and it was barely dark. We had an interesting walk with map-reading, a bit of history, some geology and nature study. Jacob really impressed us with his geological observations. We found the obligastory sheep’s skull at the bottom of a shake hole.

After hot chocolate and biscuits, the children have gone to bed – hopefully exhausted. Tomorrow is going to be a wet one: caving and mountain biking.