1980 - 2025
Castleshaw Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre

Centre staff decided to start keeping a few farm animals. This began with some ducks and rabbits, but has since included hens, geese, pigs and goats!

In late 1979 the centre was once again renovated. It reopened in May 1980 as a day centre, with St. Hilda's Primary being the first group to attend.

By 1990 the centre had once again returned to residential use, with Alt Primary being the first group to stay overnight.

In 2000, a Best Value Review concluded that Castleshaw Centre was a valuable resource for the Oldham Borough. Staffing was increased, and a National Lottery grant in 2004 allowed further improvements to be made to the Centre.
Efforts have also been made to improve accessibility to the building. The floor levels of the building were modified to allow better wheelchair access to the ground floor, while hoists have been installed in one of the bedroom and bathroom areas.

There have been more recent changes outside the building too. In 2007 a climbing tower was erected, an artificial caving system in 2011, and by 2012 some additional outdoor classroom space was added in the form of a Yurt.

We now welcome around 10,000 people of all ages through our doors each year to take part in a wide range of outdoor, adventurous and  educational experiences.