Barnstondale Price Freeze

Keeping Outdoor Education Accessible: Barnstondale’s Price Freeze Until 2026

At Barnstondale, our mission has always been to provide children and young people with inspiring outdoor education that nurtures resilience, confidence, and wellbeing. We know that time spent in nature is more than just “a nice day out”, it's a transformative experience that children will carry with them for the rest of their lives. For many children across Merseyside, Cheshire, and beyond, Barnstondale offers experiences they might not otherwise have: trying new activities, building friendships, developing teamwork, and learning more about themselves and the natural world.

It's an adventure that sparks something more!

Why a Price Freeze Matters

We know the financial pressures that schools and families are facing today. Rising living costs, stretched school budgets, and limited public funding are making it harder for children to access opportunities outside the classroom. That’s why we have taken the decision to freeze our prices until September 2026.

This is not because our costs have fallen, quite the opposite. We are choosing to hold prices because we believe outdoor education is too important to become an unaffordable luxury. By doing this, we hope to give schools stability in planning and to ensure that families are not priced out of vital experiences.

The Reality Behind the Freeze

Freezing prices does not mean our costs are standing still. In fact, margins are tighter than ever. Rising operational expenses, the replacement of our climbing wall, and ongoing development of our site to better serve children with complex needs all place increasing demands on our resources.

Through programme fees we are able to cover our core costs, but many families still cannot afford to contribute at all. Last year alone, more than 1,500 children were unable to visit Barnstondale because of financial barriers. For these children, the chance to spend time outdoors, away from academic pressures, screens, and the challenges of daily life, would have been invaluable.

Research consistently shows that outdoor learning supports mental health, physical wellbeing, and social development. In communities across Merseyside, where families are facing growing hardship, these benefits are needed more than ever.

The Role of Our Supporters

This is where local trusts, foundations, and individual donors play a crucial role. While the price freeze protects affordability for schools and families, our bursary fund relies entirely on fundraising. Every grant or donation goes directly towards part-funding a child’s place, ensuring that financial hardship is never a barrier to accessing the opportunities Barnstondale provides.

In many cases, a bursary can mean the difference between a child staying at home or experiencing their first night away, conquering a climbing wall, or discovering the confidence to speak up as part of a team. These are moments that shape futures, and they happen because of the generosity of our supporters.

Looking Ahead Together

By freezing prices, we are doing our part to keep outdoor education within reach. But to make sure no child is left behind, we need to continue working in partnership with schools, families, and funders across the region. Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of background or ability, has the chance to benefit from the transformative power of outdoor learning.

If you would like to learn more about supporting our bursary fund, please get in touch with Siobhan our Fundraising Manager today at siobhan@barnstondale.org. 

Together, we can make sure outdoor education is never out of reach, for any child.