Outdoor adventures @GreatHagleyEstate!๐ Unforgettable experiences for families, schools & businesses OBJECTIVE BASED OUTDOOR ADVENTURE.
TEAM-BUILDING & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT USING PRACTICAL CHALLENGES AND PROBLEM SOLVING ACTIVITIES.
12/06/2025
๐ Prestfelde School has landed!
A warm welcome to all the pupils and staff arriving for an action-packed adventure with The Great Escape. The minibuses are parked, the hills are calling, and weโre ready to get stuck into a week of outdoor challenges, team building, and unforgettable memories.
๐๏ธ Let the adventure begin!
12/06/2025
09/06/2025
๐ฌ๐ฅ When you set out to light a signal fireโฆ but end up filming your debut music video instead.
Cue the slow-mo, dramatic stares, and windswept hairโthis Signal Fire Challenge has serious album cover energy. ๐ฟ๐จ
Survival skills? โ
Teamwork? โ
MTV vibes? ๐ถโ
02/05/2025
Summer is just around the corner! We're excited to welcome you back for another season of unforgettable adventures. Book your experience today! ๐ธ๐
28/04/2025
Teachers, enhance your students' learning with our outdoor educational programs that align with curriculum goals. Book a trip they'll never forget! ๐๐ฒ
24/04/2025
Safety is our top priority. Our staff are trained to provide a secure environment while ensuring maximum fun. ๐ฆบโค๏ธ
21/04/2025
Our exclusive site in South Shropshire offers a serene setting for your group's next adventure. Explore the great outdoors with us! ๐๏ธ๐ฟ
17/04/2025
Reflecting on the countless memories made at The Great Escape. Share your favourite moments with us! ๐ธโค๏ธ
15/04/2025
Our programs are designed to help young people build character, confidence, and friendships through engaging outdoor activities. Join us this season! ๐๐ค
The idea for The Great Escape was conceived in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. Mark Willis, the founder and owner, spent much of his time trekking, rafting and exploring the amazing natural surroundings of his childhood home, as well as benefiting from the experimental learning. These experiences form the cornerstone of everything he believes in and does today.
Mark realised his dream of The Great Escape in 2009 after spending 12 years as a sports coach, working with both children and adults. The Great Escape now has its permanent base in the beautiful Shropshire countryside at Great Hagley where Mark and his wife, Alex, live with their four children. Great Hagley is a 120 acre estate that lends itself to objective based outdoor adventure, from climbing activities, traversing across the high gorge, orienteering and night walks to rafting and team building challenges. It is a truly rural retreat surrounded by miles of walking, forestry and some of the best inland views England has to offer.
Mark, Alex & their team run many school camps, offering a truly personal service with exclusive use of the site โ over 95% of those who experience The Great Escape are returning clients. The school groups normally camp out in 10 man army tents and experience two to three days without running water, electric or technology. For extended programmes, there is a bunkhouse for the students and teachers which sleeps 24-26. Meals are normally served outside, round the campfire, and there is an indoor climbing room that converts to a dining room if the weather is not kind.
All mobile phones, laptops and such devices are given into school staff on arrival, and are returned in time for the journey home. Mark and Alex are passionate in their belief that children should have the opportunity to experience times of old-fashioned childhood: โSwallows and Amazonsโ days where technology has no part!
As well as school camps, Mark & The Great Escape team organise fun team building days for corporate groups, family get togethers, stag & hen events and much more.