The Bowles Rocks Trust

Bowles is an outdoor education charity and people development centre located in a quiet valley near Tunbridge Wells on the site of a beautiful natural south-facing sandstone outcrop.  Entering the stunning site is to enter the perfect learning environment for challenge and adventure.

Bowles became a charity for children and young people in 1964 with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh coming on board as Royal Patron in the same year.

Bowles now supports thousands of young people from all backgrounds to take part in outdoor education courses and activities all aimed at helping young people to grow and to develop in a beautiful, adventurous and challenging, yet safe environment.  Bowles supports hundreds of schools and youth groups to help their young people get the best experiences possible.  The outcomes of The Bowles Rocks Trust are self confidence, resilience, physical and mental health, friendship and fun.

Registered Charity No. 305968

The benefits

Bowles provides high quality outdoor education. We do this through passionate, well qualified staff, fantastic activities, amazing facilities, home cooked food and an ethos of learning and development throughout everything we do.

About us

The Bowles Rocks Trust was established in 1964 to support young people in learning about themselves, each other, the environment and about outdoor activities.

Our history

Bowles was established as a charity for young people in 1964.  Our former royal patron, the Duke of Edinburgh joined the team right at the start, and supported Bowles and outdoor education for young people throughout the rest of his life.

Bowles Outdoor Leader Training (BOLT)

Are you passionate about inspiring and developing young people? Train with a fantastic team at one of the UK’s leading outdoor centres.

Applications for an intense training course in 2023 will close on 28.4.23. This will be a shorter training period from May 18th to end of November and suitable for people with experience with groups but no formal outdoor qualification. 

We will be recruiting for our 2024 intake in Autumn 2023.

Bowles is a residential centre with first class facilities near Tunbridge Wells: