Disability adventure centre closing after 30 years
Disability adventure centre closing after 30 years
Cameron Weldon - DevonSat, August 22, 2026 at 9:35 AM UTC
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Calvert Devon has announced it will permanently close its doors at the end of August
An outdoor adventure centre for people with disabilities which has operated for more than three decades has announced it will close following "significant financial and operational challenges".
Calvert Devon, near Wistlandpound Reservoir on Exmoor has offered activities such as abseiling, zip-lining and canoeing for people with physical, learning, behavioural and sensory disabilities since the early 1990s.
In a statement trustees said it was an "extremely difficult decision" that was "not taken lightly with every available avenue explored", but they concluded the centre was "no longer financially viable".
The centre will permanently close at the end of August.
The centre said it was "no longer financially viable" -
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Formerly known as the Exmoor Calvert Trust, the charity was at risk of closure in 2024 but was saved after it raised more than £500,000.
The centre said the decision was "particularly difficult" because of the "strength of feeling" among staff, volunteers, supporters and customers.
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The trust said it was "much more than an outdoor activity centre".
"It was a place where people were encouraged to discover what they can achieve, challenge perceptions and experience adventure in an environment where inclusion has always been at the heart of what we do."
It said its ethos was "adventure should be accessible to everyone", and people with disabilities should have the same opportunities to experience adventure, challenge and the outdoors as anyone else.
'Challenging the barriers'
The charity said closure was specific to the Devon centre and the other two Calvert Trust centres, Calvert Lakes in the Lake District and Calvert Kielder in Northumberland, remained open.
It said: "Calvert Devon may be closing, but the belief that adventure should have no limits must continue.
"We hope that the experiences, knowledge and relationships built over 30 years at Calvert Devon will continue to influence the sector and inspire others to keep challenging the barriers that prevent people from participating."
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Calvert Devon
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