Inspiring Learning - Dearne Valley (Kingswood)

The activities were amazing but what really made it memorable was Kyle. He encouraged all the boys and gave extra help to any shy kids. He really made everyone feel welcome. Hats off to you Kyle you’ve helped more people than you know

Just outside Kingswood is the Cadeby and Denaby Earth Centre Welcome building which is now derelict but in a very lovely spot overlooking the River Don.This was abandoned and closed in 2004 by Doncaster Council but was way ahead of its time promoting sustainability, with solar panels, recycling waste water and using ground thermal heat sources.There is a very informative and well designed area with sculptures and floor plaques charting the mining history on this former coalfield site.

Probably great if you’re a child but their professionalism and treatment of adults needs work.I’ve been there on a few occasions and each time they tried to fob me off with a room type I hadn’t booked. Then they told me to speak to the event organiser about it - when I’d booked the room directly with the centre. The problem with doing this is you have to walk all the way down to the room area to discover that you’ve been given the wrong room. You don’t have to walk all the way back to discuss it perception and back again. I don’t mind the exercise, but I resent the waste of my time.One whole building was without heating causing everyone to have to be moved during their stay.The quality of catering could definitely be upgraded for adult-only events. Think back to bad school food and that’s about what you’ll be eating.Also realise that for adult events the coffee and tea could safely be served in the diner rather forcing everyone to walk elsewhere to get it for ‘H&S reasons’.Oh and if you don’t include towels with your en-suite bathrooms it might be helpful to tell people this really clearly, upfront in your website.Maybe tell all guests what the code is to get out of the facility to avoid them having to walk all the way back to reception or to wait in the pouring rain for a car to enter. Again, this is a waste of peoples precious time.Lastly, they could also consider including the cost of a re-useable non paper cup for every guest. The amount of landfill mixed waste during the stay was shocking.

Generally a pleasant activity centre. It boasts of it solar panel roof that makes the building as green as it can be. Accommodation (wath) was somewhat basic - a bunk bed with an old mattress, with a toilet and shower (very hot water non adjustable) that is it! (Do not expect a mirror, a desk or a chair not even hooks for hanging clothes). However, in my opinion some of the facilities are not well maintained. The accommodation (wath) that we stayed in did not have heating nor hot water supply due to broken boiler (surprisingly the management did not know until we reported the incident) - the whole building was without hot water for two nights although they compensated by allowing us to use another building for super hot shower and stuff. Two out of four water taps are not working in the public gents as well as non functional urinals. Beautiful scenery but let down by the poor maintenance. Catering was OKish (not too bad) I will say. Staff were friendly.

A very interesting and fun place, many people had a good time with their friends

We had our son's 10th birthday party here and it was absolutely fantastic! The party was great value for money as it included everything you needed from invitations to a birthday cake to party bags. The food provided for the birthday buffet was just delicious too. The staff were knowledgeable & excellent at what they did.

Great centre for experiences for children and schools trips.. Access is an unexpected route but once your there its very good. Lots of parking places including disabled. All round good experience kids loved it. *****. Would definitely recommend.

The place is wonderful for families and big groups. Very well maintained

The food is grate a lot of activity fun for all