Introduction to Rock Climbing - Peak District

Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

Meeting Location:
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Losehill Hall (Mews)
Squires Lane
Hope Valley
S33 8WB

Access Information: The hostel entrance is on the A625 from Sheffield/Hathersage and is at the east end of the village.
From the west, take the A625 from Chapel-en-le-Frith following signs for Castleton Blue John Caverns and turn down the Winnats Pass (very steep). The detour signs from the west can be confusing and add considerably to the journey. Please follow these directions rather than a Satnav as the postcode covers a large area.

Parking: There is parking available at the accommodation.

Public Transport: YHA Castleton Losehill Hall is located 2 miles from Hope (Derbyshire) Train Station, with services to/from Sheffield and Manchester Piccadilly.
There is a local bus service (#272, operated by First/Hulleys of Baslow) from Sheffield Interchange to Castleton - the bus stop at Losehill Hall is a short walk from the accommodation. Please check timetables before booking.

Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive required - where activities don’t start from the door of the accommodation. We don't include transport and participants normally car share.

Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day by 5pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

We’ll stay in the heart of the Peak District National Park, within the grounds of YHA’s Castleton Losehill Hall. This gothic mansion is set within 27 acres of parkland which offers picturesque surroundings. The hostel accommodation is split into different sections and Large Outdoors will have exclusive use of the two-storey Mews - a beautifully cobbled property in the grounds.

All bedding is provided, but please make sure you bring a towel and your own toiletries.

Accommodation Address:
YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
Losehill Hall (Mews)
Squires Lane
Hope Valley
S33 8WB

Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (en-suite)

At this hostel there are primarily Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms - with a set of bunk beds and a single bed - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are en-suite).

Included:

• 2 nights’ accommodation at the Mews, YHA Castleton Losehill Hall.

• A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.

• Rock climbing instruction from a qualified leader on two days (Days 2 and 3).

• Rock climbing shoes and safety equipment provided for use on two days (Days 2 and 3).

• Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.

• A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

• A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Days 2 and 3. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

• Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

• Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

• The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

• Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

Not included:

• Travel to and from the meeting location.

• Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

• Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

• Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

• Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation, or the main hostel building nearby has a licensed bar offering a small range of alcohol and soft drinks.

• Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

• Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

Please see our Climbing Kit List.

The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Beginner-friendly - no previous climbing experience is necessary.

Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

What transport is provided during this trip?
We do not provide any transport for this experience. On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.