The Big Weekend is the OWPG’s annual gathering.
The Big Weekend provides a great opportunity for members to meet friends old and new,
to share experiences, learn new things and participate in the running of our Guild.
The next BW will be held at FSC Blencathra on 3-6 October 2025
Where?
The Field Studies Centre at Blencathra, Cumbria – a few miles from Keswick in the northern Lake District.
The centre is situated in a spectacular location on the slopes of Blencathra (868m), one of the highest peaks in the Lake District.
It is easily accessible by road or by public transport with regular buses from Penrith railway station to the village of Threlkeld followed by a scenic 30-40 minute uphill walk.
Scales Fell from Blencathra (Image © Chiz Dakin)
When?
Friday 3 October to Monday 6 October 2025
What’s included?
The BW includes the Guild’s AGM on the Saturday evening followed by a drinks reception, three-course meal and the annual awards ceremony.
New members are particularly welcome and you can take part in as many or as few activities as you like.
Accommodation?
Most accommodation will be in ensuite twin bed/bunk bed or triple bed rooms with a supplement for single occupancy. As usual, preference will be given to those staying for three nights, followed by those staying for two nights on Friday and Saturday.
For camper van guests, the Setmabanning caravan park lies on the opposite side of the A66 and has hardstanding and electrical hookup facilities for motorhomes.
Due to local authority regulations, campervan stays are not allowed overnight at the centre, although paying guests staying in the centre may park their vans there overnight (provided that they do not stay in them). Please contact Josephine Collingwood if you have any questions about this.
Cost?
Rates for staying at the centre are inclusive of breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals and are £79 per person per night if sharing a triple room, while for two people sharing rates per person per night are £79 for three nights, £88 for two nights and £96 for one night only (if available).
Single supplements (limited number only) will be £30 per person per night in a double room (otherwise you’ll normally be expected to share thanks).
Partners are welcome and will pay the same accommodation and food costs as members.
Most activities will be free, although as usual there may be a few that incur an additional charge if you decide to take part.
Non residential guests who arrange their own accommodation elsewhere (including in campervans) can of course join in the day’s activities, with a cost of £50 per person per night if you wish to join everyone else for breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals or £30 per person per night for evening meals only.
Activities?
We have a good variety of activities planned and for those who have booked it is now time to indicate which activities you would prefer, including people who have made their own arrangements for accommodation.
To do that, please download and complete the form available at the following link and return it by email to Kevin Sene, AGM Organiser by 5 September (check your Inbox for his contact details or if you prefer contact him via this contact form if you’d like any further information). Please make sure you indicate your meal preferences too.
If you can’t see the two Activities forms buttons below you need to be logged in!
There’s more info in the PDF download above, but options include a photo walk up Blencathra and separate navigation workshop, a Neolithic Tour walk and the Sunday Quiz.
There will also be the chance to explore Keswick’s museums and take a boat trip on Derwent Water. Professional development options include a writing workshop and a discussion on AI.
Other new options include a canyoning/ghyll scrambling trip with Keswick Extreme and a talk on mountaineering history from the Mountain Heritage Trust.
There will also be a book table again where you can display examples of your work and chat with authors / photographers.
Non members are welcome to take part in any of the activities listed except for the AGM as this is only open to members.
We’ll do our best to accommodate everyone’s first choices and the final programme will be issued on 20 September or soon after.
Dress Code?
There is no dress code!
AGM and Awards Ceremony.
As usual the Guild’s AGM will take place at 4:30pm on the Saturday and the annual Awards ceremony/dinner will take place on the Saturday evening.
A link to download AGM info is now live on the Constitutional/AGM downloads page. (NB If this returns a 404 page, you need to login to view it. It will also appear in the menu under Big Weekend once you are logged in)
Further Information
Booking has officially finished for members (and their partners) wishing to attend the 2025 Big Weekend and AGM. However, there may be a couple of last minute spaces available, please speak to Kevin Sene as soon as possible if you wish to take up one of these.
Accommodation Booking Form:
If you can’t see the booking form download button below you need to login
Download the booking form and save the it so it has your name in the title. Once you have completed it, please return your form to the BW organiser, Kevin Sene.
You will also need to send a deposit of £100 (per booking form, not per person!) to our Treasurer (bank details/address to send cheque to on accommodation form).
Separately from that please send a deposit of £100 (per booking form, whether single double or triple room, not per person) paying by bank transfer using the details provided on the form. As usual, invoices for the final balance will then be issued soon after the weekend.
Deposits are non-refundable unless you attend and they exceed your total costs, in which case the balance will be refunded after the event.
And just a reminder if you haven’t seen it already, there’s an article giving more detail on plans for the weekend in the Spring 2025 issue of Outdoor Focus.