About the Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre
Child-led adventure
Nestled amongst ancient oak woodland, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Nell Bank is the perfect space for children to safely experience nature, which for some will be for the very first time.
An Independent Charitable Trust
On 1st March 2022, the Nell Bank Charitable Trust took over full operational and financial responsibility for the Nell Bank Centre from Bradford Council.
This change brings a range of new opportunities, not only a way to secure the future of the centre but also expanding what is offered to the children who need it the most.
When children visit us, they will still see the same friendly faces, experience the same programmes on our fantastic site and we continue to be absolutely committed to providing the highest quality outdoor learning experiences.
Our new-found independence will however give us greater scope to develop and grow. Help from our friends and supporters is now more important than ever. If you are able to help us we'd love to hear from you.
Nell Bank
Situated between The River Wharfe and Middleton Woods with stunning views across the Wharfe Valley, we welcome over 20,000 children a year, of all ages and abilities.
We have a 25-acre site, with specialist buildings, purpose built activity areas and several exciting play areas. Our modern dormitories and dining facilities offer comfortable accommodation for residential visitors and our specialist disability facility, the Aiming High lodge, caters specifically for special schools and disabled children.
A different world!
Despite being so rural, Nell Bank is easily accessible from both Leeds and Bradford, and for many of our visitors, it is a world away from where they live. Hidden away yet reassuringly close – it’s perfect for a first primary school residential or group outing away from home.
Our vast array of activities and our experienced staff always provide a magical experience, offering an opportunity for social, emotional, and educational development that is hard to replicate back at school.
If you’d like to book a visit, fill in a booking enquiry.
Our history
Created back in 1977, Nell Bank was founded by Paul Hockney, former Lord Major of Bradford and brother to the artist David Hockney. Historically run as a partnership between Bradford Council and the Nell Bank Queens Silver Jubilee trust but now by the fully independent Nell Bank Charitable Trust, the Centre continues to promote Paul Hockney’s vision to offer an outdoor experience for children in Bradford from a diverse range of backgrounds.
For 40+ years we worked closely with Bradford Council before becoming a fully independence charity in 2022, still absolutely committed to the vision of ensuring every visitor develops a love and respect for the outdoors that they’ll carry for the rest of their lives. Our team delivers high-quality, enjoyable outdoor learning experiences to support educational progress, raise children’s aspirations, and most importantly, the activities are always great fun and accessible for everyone.
Here for everyone
We pride ourselves in being an active part of the community, offering help wherever it’s needed. Visit our community page to see how we can help you.
All help is appreciated
Do you want to help Nell Bank to have a positive impact on children’s lives? Why not look into our volunteering opportunities or make a donation? Big or small, we appreciate it all.
We are proud to be honoured with the King's Award for Voluntary Service. Learn more about this award >>
