GET TO KNOW US
OUR STORY
Weardale Adventures offers fun and learning in an area of outstanding natural beauty in County Durham. The centre caters for adults, schools and groups and our experienced and qualified team ensure our guests create memories that last for a lifetime, in a safe and friendly environment.
Our 5 star feedback is exemplary and makes us proud every day.
Our Mission and Values
Our Mission is to ‘Create activities and encourage everyone to live life more adventurously’.
Our mission, our plans and decisions have been guided by our values which are summarised in three main groups: keep the ‘adventure’ in adventure; be socially and environmentally responsible without being preachy, and do the right thing.
It’s nothing overly complicated, adventure is at the heart of everything we do, and adherence to our values with every decision that we make along the way.
The Team
MEET THE TEAM
NEIL
OWNER/DIRECTOR
NEIL GRAVES
Neil Graves is the Owner/Director . Neil spent 23 years in the British Army as a Medic, he has experience of working in the Outdoors in the Military, teaching Map Reading, Bushcraft and Summer ML to name but a few. Neil and Fiona have been married over 28 years and have 4 children, 2 cats and 2 dogs.
Fiona
Head of household
FIONA GRAVES
Fiona our head of household is a qualified ESOL teacher and worked for Sunderland College for several years. Fiona has a wealth of experience in running a house and everything involved with it, she is the point of contact for anything to do with catering, house queries or if you just want a chat.
SIMON
Centre Manager
SIMON
Simon has been working in the outdoor industry for over 20 years. With a degree in Outdoor Leadership with UCLAN, Simon has a vast array of experience and skills in all things outdoor. As the Business Development Manager, Simon is here to ensure the business continues offering the same excellent level of quality and customer service. Simon is married with 2 children.
Dylan
Outdoor Instructor
Dylan Richardson
Dylan has been an Outdoor Instructor since 2019 and became a permanent member of the team in 2022. Dylan is passionate about all things outdoors and can often be found out on the water or in the Hills with Buzz and Fern, his two dogs.
Connor
Outdoor Instructor
CONNOR GRAVES
Connor our Outdoor Instructor got bitten by the outdoor bug in 2021 and while study for his degree with Lincoln University has become a key member of the University Kayaking Club. He has worked at the centre since 2023, where he specialises in Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddleboarding and Gorge walking. If there is water involved, you can guarantee Connor will be around.
DEB
House/Kitchen assistant
DEB
Deb is our House/Kitchen assistant and is one of the hardest workers of the team, nothing is any trouble for her, from preparing and serving breakfast to making sure the house is kept clean.
FREELANCE STAFF
We are blessed to have fantastic Freelance staff, who have a wide range of qualifications and experience. In no order:
Deb, Vicky, Ollie, Phil, Tony, Danny, Monty, Dan, Kev