We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
Mid & South-West Wales, United Kingdom
From £40
Eastern Scotland, United Kingdom
From £125
Secret Location - easy access from Windermere, Ambleside, Kewick, or Penrith
From £125
About the centre
Bedburn, Hamsterley
Operated by Run Like a Haggis, a partner of adventuro.
Tailored navigation sessions are available for anyone wanting a more flexible, goal-focused learning experience. These bespoke options allow you to shape the day around your group’s interests — whether that’s preparing for an event, strengthening map and compass skills, or enjoying a shared day outdoors with colleagues or friends. Each session is uniquely designed to match your experience, pace, and preferred setting.
Every bespoke course begins with a discussion about your aims, whether that’s developing confidence in navigation, training for a mountain event, or introducing others to map skills. The session is then built around those goals, combining structured learning with practical time in the field. Flexibility is at the heart of the experience — from session length to terrain choice, everything is adapted to suit you or your group.
Training can cover anything from basic map orientation through to complex route finding in open countryside. You’ll have the freedom to focus on specific areas that interest you, such as understanding contours, navigating off paths, or improving timing and pacing accuracy. By the end of the day, participants leave with personalised feedback and a clear plan for how to continue progressing independently.
Hamsterley Forest is a popular base for bespoke sessions, offering a wide range of landscapes ideal for navigation practice. Woodland paths, river crossings, and nearby open moorland allow for a gradual build-up in difficulty as confidence grows. It’s also a great setting for group days, with nearby facilities and scenic routes for all abilities.
Other training sites such as Guisborough Woods and Grasmere provide equally strong learning environments. Guisborough’s forest and hillside tracks are ideal for route planning and terrain analysis, while the Grasmere area in the Lake District offers classic navigation challenges, from ridges and valleys to intricate contour features. For groups with specific objectives, alternative UK locations can be arranged to suit particular routes or event areas.
There are no fixed requirements for bespoke sessions — they are suitable for complete beginners, confident map users, or experienced outdoor enthusiasts looking to refine specific skills. The flexibility of these courses makes them ideal for individuals or groups with mixed ability levels.
Participants simply need to bring enthusiasm, appropriate outdoor clothing, and a willingness to learn. All sessions are adjusted in real-time to match the weather, terrain, and learning pace, ensuring everyone gets the most from the experience.
Led by Fran, an experienced outdoor coach and fell runner, these sessions are designed to be as supportive as they are informative. Her approachable teaching style helps participants feel at ease, while her technical expertise ensures that each session offers genuine, lasting improvement. Having coached a wide range of people — from club runners to outdoor newcomers — Fran tailors every session to suit the group’s needs and confidence levels.
The centre’s flexible approach allows for complete customisation, whether you’re organising a workplace team-building day or a private one-to-one session. With a focus on practical learning, small group sizes, and safety at all times, each bespoke course offers the opportunity to learn, explore, and enjoy the outdoors in a way that feels personal and rewarding.
For most navigation courses, you’ll need to come prepared for a full day outdoors in potentially mixed weather conditions. A good waterproof jacket and trousers are essential to keep you dry and comfortable throughout the session, as weather can change quickly in the hills. A hat and gloves will help you stay warm, even during milder months, while a whistle is a basic safety tool used for signalling if needed. Make sure you also bring some snacks and a drink to stay fuelled and hydrated during the day.
If you already own a compass, it’s recommended to bring it along so you can get familiar with your own equipment. However, if you don’t have one, the instructor will provide one for you to use during the session. All other specialist equipment will be provided or discussed ahead of time. You’ll receive full joining instructions before your course, detailing any specific items required for your particular session or location.
Yes, absolutely. The navigation courses are open to anyone who wants to learn or improve their map and compass skills, regardless of gender. The focus is entirely on developing practical navigation abilities and confidence in the outdoors, so everyone is welcome.
Some sessions may occasionally be tailored for specific groups, such as women’s courses or youth sessions, but the majority are open to mixed groups. Every participant receives the same level of attention and guidance, and the aim is always to create a relaxed, supportive environment for learning.
Yes, participants are asked to bring their own food for the day. Most sessions take place outdoors, often away from shops or facilities, so it’s important to pack a packed lunch and enough snacks to keep your energy up. Simple, easy-to-carry items like sandwiches, fruit, or cereal bars are ideal, along with plenty of water or a warm drink in a flask.
There’s usually time for a short break or picnic-style lunch during the session, depending on the day’s plan and the weather. If you have any dietary requirements, you’ll be able to plan accordingly, as no shared food is provided. It’s always better to bring slightly more than you think you’ll need, especially if the course runs longer than expected or involves more physical activity than you’re used to.
The process begins with a chat about your aims, level of experience, and preferred location. From there, Fran designs a session that matches your needs — whether that’s building confidence in map reading, improving compass accuracy, or preparing for a specific event or challenge.
Each bespoke session is delivered at a relaxed pace that suits you or your group. There’s no set syllabus, allowing for complete flexibility and a focus on what matters most to your learning goals.
Yes, bespoke courses are ideal for groups such as running clubs, outdoor societies, or workplace teams. Sessions can focus on team navigation exercises, route planning challenges, or learning to work effectively in outdoor environments.
Fran can adapt the day to suit the dynamic of your group, combining learning with enjoyment and teamwork. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors while developing useful, transferable skills.
Absolutely. Each bespoke session is built around your starting point, so no prior experience is required. For newcomers, Fran focuses on the fundamentals — understanding maps, using simple compass techniques, and identifying terrain features with confidence.
For more experienced participants, the course can move quickly into advanced skills such as contour interpretation, route choice evaluation, or pacing on rough ground.
Yes — one of the main advantages of a bespoke session is location flexibility. If there’s a route or region you’d like to focus on, Fran can plan the session around it. This is especially helpful for event preparation or familiarisation with a particular landscape.
She’ll review the terrain and create a route that suits your objectives, ensuring the right balance between challenge and enjoyment.
