Categories > Guides and Tips
Everything You Need to Know about Debdale Outdoor Centre
- What is Debdale Outdoor Centre?
- How to Get to Debdale Outdoor Centre
- Things to Do at Debdale Outdoor Centre
- Try various water sports
- Attend enriching classes and courses
- Join clubs and groups
- Debdale Outdoor Activity Club
- The Manchester Dragoneers
- Greater Together Manchester
- Enroll your kids to various programmes
- Explore active ageing
- Do a back-to-back visit with Debdale Park
- Membership Options at Debdate Outdoor Centre
- FAQs about Debdale Outdoor Centre
The Manc might be a bustling city that’s the industrial heart of the country, but make no mistake, the rural outdoors are no joke either! Stepping out of the scene-filled streets and onto grassy paths will open up a whole new world filled with lots to do.
And right in Debdale Outdoor Centre, you can have a whole world full of fun outdoorsy things that will have you feeling alive. Plus, what’s better than feeling like you’re at your peak while surrounded by gorgeous scenery? That alone makes it worth a visit for me!
But if you’re wondering what exactly to expect at Debdale Outdoor Centre and all there is to it, then have no fear, as our savvy guide is right here!
We’ll walk you through the different sights and activities in Debdale Outdoor Centre, and why it could be worth visiting. So get the wind in your sails ready, and let’s cruise through this guide to Debdale Outdoor Centre!
What is Debdale Outdoor Centre?
Debdale Outdoor Centre is located at 1073 Hyde Road in Gorton. Here’s its opening schedule:
| Mondays to Thursdays, Saturdays | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Fridays | 9 AM–3 PM |
| Sundays | Closed |
The centre is just right beside the Gorton Lower Reservoir, where the water-based activities take place. It’s also a neighbour to Debdale Park, so you’ll find lots of trees and greenery surrounding both the centre and the park.
Debdale Outdoor Centre is one of many centres that are under the organisation “Better”. It was also made as part of a collection of community facilities that the non-profit MCRactive created to promote fun outdoor exercise and activities.
As you might’ve guessed from the name, there are all sorts of outdoor activities available at the centre, and a good number of them are water-based sports too!
The centre is also open for people of all ages and skill levels, so both beginners and pros can take part in the activities there.
If you want to contact the centre, you can do so via their phone number (0161 223 5182) or their email ([email protected]). You can also check out their website for other details, such as upcoming events and general information about the centre.
Accessibility-wise, there are wheelchair-accessible places in different areas of the centre, including the changing room and parking lot (which is free, by the way).
How to Get to Debdale Outdoor Centre
While you could always drive over to the centre yourself and make the most of the free parking, there are also all sorts of ways to make the commute to Debdale Outdoor Centre.
You could get there via bus—the Bee Network has multiple buses (7, 201, 205, and 206) that make a stop near the centre. Alternatively, if you’re coming from Reddish North, you could take the tram or tube going to Debdale.
Things to Do at Debdale Outdoor Centre
Debdale Outdoor Centre is just filled with lots of fun things to do, spending a single day here might not be enough to try out everything! But if ever you’re up for the challenge of trying anything and everything here, then here’s a list of what to do:
Try various water sports
Media from: @debdaleoutdooractivityclub
Debdale Outdoor Centre makes the most out of the fact that it’s right beside a gorgeous reservoir, which has become home to ducks and boats alike! You can find all kinds of classes and activities taking place right on the Gorton Lower Reservoir.
In fact, I’d say that the water sports are what Debdale Outdoor Centre is known for! They’re a real draw for many visitors looking to spend a day in the centre, and you might find one that catches your eye.
Care to test your balance with some paddleboating? Or maybe you want to get some mates to go kayaking with you? Or perhaps you’re feeling bold and feel like doing some windsurfing to explore the areas around the centre?
Whatever the case, there’s always something fun in the water at Debdale Outdoor Centre!
Attend enriching classes and courses
Media from: @debdaleoutdooractivityclub
Debdale Outdoor Centre is what we’d call a beginner-friendly place, anyone of any skill level can join in on the fun, after all! So there’s no need to feel self-conscious if you’re thinking of trying out something here.
The centre offers a whole host of boating classes for anyone looking to take to the water. And not only that, a number of these courses are all approved by the Royal Yachting Association, which seeks to make boating fun and safe for everyone!
Debdale Outdoor Centre offers the following RYA-led courses: Dinghy Sailing Level 1, Dinghy Sailing Level 2, First Aid Course, Safety Boat, and Windsurfing Courses.
There’s also another set of classes taught using Paddle UK-approved courses.
Paddle UK is one of the country’s leading canoeing and kayaking organisations, so you can bet that the instructors for these classes know what they’re teaching and doing. Plus, who knows, you might make some new friends in these classes!
For the Paddle UK-approved courses, Debdale Outdoor Centre has the following: Start Paddling Taster Sessions, Paddle Discover Awards, and Paddle Explore Awards.
Join clubs and groups
Media from: @better_uk
There are a whole host of clubs that you can join in Debdale Outdoor Centre, which makes sense—it’s under the Better UK initiative after all, so getting people together is part of the goal! What’s the other goal, you ask? Well, it’s sports!
Here’s what’s available:
Debdale Outdoor Activity Club
The Debdale Outdoor Activity Club is targeted for youths (ages 6-18) who fancy learning and getting into a watersport or two or three!
Those who join Debdale Outdoor Activity Club will regularly meet at the Gorton Lower Reservoir for classes and activities. It can be a great way to help your kiddos find some new friends, and the classes can help them build their confidence and their skills.
The Manchester Dragoneers
The Manchester Dragoneers is a rowing group that aims to bring support and community to breast cancer survivors and their loved ones, but don’t feel pressured by their sport!
Rowing can be a good way to exercise and build those arm muscles, but with The Manchester Dragoneers, they seek to make it a fun kind of meditation! That means their rowing is calmer and gentler on beginners, at least compared to competitive rowing.
Greater Together Manchester
Greater Together Manchester seeks to bring people together through classes that teach them a wide variety of skills, including sports!
You can find them holding their Lifeskills Surf n Turf programme in the centre. This programme encompasses activities such as sports, wellbeing exercises, philosophy discussions, and even support groups for those suffering from poverty.
Enroll your kids to various programmes
Media from: @Debdale Outdoor Centre
Do you have little ones bored out of their minds while on break from school? Debdale Outdoor Centre has just the remedy for that boredom! They have different programmes available for children of all ages.
All of these activities are designed to keep them busy with fun throughout different school breaks. Any child on their term holiday can check out their roster of activities, and they might find one they like!
Does your child want to learn how to swim? Then they can take a dip in the indoor pool! It’s even free for those 16 years old or younger, too!
Or is cycling more of their style? Then they can join the cycling groups that race around the outside of the centre!
And even if the holidays are over, that doesn’t mean the fun has to be, as Debdale Outdoor Centre also provides activities for school groups that have taken a trip to the centre. So, you might find some students canoeing or doing teambuilding.
Explore active ageing
Media from: @better_uk
Who says that the oldies can’t have some fun? Debdale Outdoor Centre doesn’t, with its over-55s club!
Inside the centre itself, those who’ve joined the club can also join in on lots of fun group activities. Whether it’s table tennis, watersports, or ballroom dancing and Latin dancing classes!
Plus, all of these were made to not be too strenuous without leaving out the fun of exercising.
And even those who don’t want to risk spraining their old bones can find something to do with the other over-55s. There are areas in the centre made for having a cuppa and a chat with fellow oldies.
Do a back-to-back visit with Debdale Park
Media from: windyglynn
Debdale Outdoor Centre and Debdate Park are neighbours, and both of them are absolutely beautiful places to visit! We don’t know about you, but getting to see two different areas with stunning views can just make our day!
Plus, you might feel like taking some time to rest and recharge in Debdale Park after some rigorous activity in Debdale Outdoor Centre.
Membership Options at Debdate Outdoor Centre
Media from: @Debdale Outdoor Centre
If you’re looking to become a regular at the centre, then you might be interested in getting a membership!
You can pick one of the Better Health Membership options, which give you access to any Better Health facilities and centres throughout the country.
There’s also a Student Membership, which extends to gyms and leisure centres throughout the country and with flexible payment options. Or if you’re in the workforce already, there’s a Corporate Membership that can offer access to their online workouts.
They even have budget-friendly Concessionary Memberships for those who receive benefits and an Inclusive UK Membership for disabled people!
Tips for Visiting Debdale Outdoor Centre
It can be tempting to get down to the centre for a fun activity-filled day as soon as you can, but there are some things you need to know besides all the usual “what, why, and where” info. So here are some helpful tips to enjoy your experience even more:
- Pack some sun protection. It can be exciting to bask out in the warm glow of the sun, but it’s not so great once you feel like you’re burnt to a crisp! So it’s better to be safe than sorry–bring some sun cream, a hat, and an extra long-sleeved shirt.
- Go in a group. There are a lot of activities made to be done in a team or are far more enjoyable in a group, after all! Plus, there are activities that are specifically made to be teambuilding opportunities.
- Stay up to date via their socials. Occasionally, Debdale Outdoor Centre will have events or get-togethers that might appeal to you.
They announce these events through their social media accounts, so checking out the pages and accounts of Better UK.
