The Boetius Centre brochure

Boetius Centre The

Adventure

"The breathtaking landscapes surrounding the Boetius Centre provide the perfect inspiration for Art and Photography students. We love how they respond to the energy of the weather, the intensity of the colours in nature and the challenge of limited equipment and time."

Ms​​​​Stevens‑Lewis, Teacher of Art and Photography, Trinity School

for all

About the centre

The Trinity Boetius Centre provides self-catering accommodation for small groups looking to explore the stunning wilds of the Welsh Brecon Beacons and surrounding areas

It has a total capacity of 61, with 9 triple bunk bedrooms (all en-suite) and one further double bedroom and 2 single bedrooms. It also has a self-catering kitchen, comfortable living room, dining room and plenty of storage for outdoor equipment.

The Trinity Boetius Centre provides the perfect base for a variety of activities and has been used for school field trips, outdoor pursuits, team-building activities, corporate

training days, photography residentials, family get-togethers and more.

The centre is located right on the south-western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park in the village of Coelbren. Close to the wonderful walking areas of the Black Mountain and some of the most spectacular waterfalls and caves in Britain, making it part of a UNESCO ‘Global Geopark’.

For the more adventurous, there are many outdoor pursuits nearby including kayaking, caving, gorgewalking, abseiling and pony-trekking. If nothing else, you could just stargaze in this dark sky reserve.

"We have been using the Boetius Centre for a number of years now, and it is perfectly situated on the edge of the Brecon's National Park. This makes it an ideal centre for running our Gold DofE expeditions out of. The facilities are very good, and the staff cannot be more helpful. It is always clean and welcoming."

DofE Award Centre Manager, Eastbourne College

Facilities

– 12 en-suite bedrooms including a separate four-bedroom flat with its own kitchen and lounge. Guests must bring own bedding/towels

– Sleeping up to 61 adults and children

– Self-contained flat sleeping max. 10 can be hired out separately

– Fully fitted kitchen with all crockery/cutlery required

– Dining room, seating up to 50 people

– Comfortable lounge area

– Projector to connect a laptop, some games provided

– Drying room for 60

– Wet room for 60

– Separate WCs

– Ground floor rooms

– Wheelchair accessible

– Parking for four cars, plus two minibuses

Floor plan

Self-contained

Out and about

"The students headed down to Boetius not knowing each other that well and came back with great new friendships. Every one of them pushed themselves to test what they were capable of, facing their fears and emerging triumphant.”

Mr Townsend, Trinity School

The

Useful websites:

BreconBeacons.org

about

Activities

There are low-level easy walks, and more adventurous hill walking options.

Outdoor pursuits are run by many local companies, and the centre is a great base from which to try climbing and abseiling, canoeing and kayaking, caving, pony trekking, sailing, mountain biking, fishing, golf and many more.

It’s an amazing spot to connect with nature and bird watch, paint, take photographs and observe the local wildlife in its natural habitat.

BreconBeaconsTourism.co.uk

BreconBeaconsParkSociety.org

BreconJazz.org

Beacons-npa.gov.uk

MtbBreconBeacons.co.uk

VisitWales.com

The centre is located within easy reach of smaller towns with historical interest, and larger towns offering entertainment and activities for children.

The locality has an abundance of wonderful eating and drinking venues, ranging from highclass restaurants to friendly local pubs.

We are happy to provide further recommendations if required.

The Centre

Dick Boetius

The centre is the inspiring legacy of former biology teacher Dick Boetius who worked at Trinity School in Croydon from 1969-1979 and pioneered outdoor pursuits during that time. He relished taking students out of their comfort zones and challenging them in the Great Outdoors.

Dick generously left the school a large sum of money when he died in 2013. His vision was to purchase a centre close to his beloved Brecon Beacons to ensure students for years to come would benefit from the life-changing experiences he championed.

A public house at the time, ‘The Ashgrove’ was purchased by the school and after renovations were completed in 2015, the Trinity Boetius Centre was officially opened. Every year since, groups from across the school have travelled to Wales to take part in team-building exercises, outdoor pursuits such as gorge-walking and kayaking and subject-specific field trips.

Visitors will be able spot the photograph and tribute to Dick Boetius at the centre.

The Ashgrove in the 1930s

Memories of Dick Boetius

“An inspirational teacher who stood out from the crowd by his individualism and unconventional ways... a natural mentor before mentorship was in most of our vocabularies. Dick’s biology lessons were often outdoors in the school grounds, in real life, observing the form and structure of trees.”

Simon White, Class of 1977

“Initially Dick had no formal qualifications. What he lacked in that department, he more than compensated for in enthusiasm, imagination and an unshakable belief that the sort of experiences he was providing, would have a profound effect on the development of those involved.”

Jim Hammond, Class of 1974

History of the centre 1880s

‘The Ashgrove’, a private dwelling, was built by an Irish railway worker

1938

The property became a working men’s club.

1958

The side building was constructed as a concert hall.

1960s

A young singer named Tom Jones performed there but was paid off after half time as the audience did not like his act.

1980s

The Ashgrove was converted into a public house. The concert hall became ensuite bedrooms.

2013

Trinity School began the purchase of the building in memory of Dick Boetius.

2015

After extensive renovations, the Trinity Boetius Centre was ready for school use.

The Boetius Centre

How to find us

The Boetius Centre is located near the small village of Coelbren, but has a few larger towns within 10-15 mins' drive, all of which have useful amenities. Ystradgynlais has the most options for pubs and takeaways, although you may have to do your own research on the quality! If you are interested in having catering at the Boetius Centre for a larger group, we can share the names of local providers we have used in the past.

The Boetius Centre

M4

M4

Ystradgynlais

SWANSEA

A few things to note:

– The nearest convenience store is 2 mins' drive in the small village of Coelbren

– Driving up from the M4 along the A470, there's a large Sainsbury's at Pontypridd which is useful for supplies.

– The nearest pharmacy is 3 mins' drive in Dyffryn Cellwen

– The nearest ATM is 10 mins' drive in Ystradgynlais

A465

A465

A470

A470

M4

Coelbren

Dyffryn Cellwen

Glynneath

Henrhyd Falls

Afan Forest Park

Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

Pontypridd

Merthyr Tydfil

Pricing and contact

The centre is usually hired out with a 2-night minimum, and charged at £27pp/pn, with a minimum capacity of 10.

For smaller groups, the self-contained flat (sleeps max. 10), is available to hire separately.

To discuss large group or partner/staff/alumni discounts or for any other queries, please get in touch.

For all bookings, please contact: Jenny Lake, Assistant Bursar, Trinity School in Croydon on jel@trinity.croydon.sch.uk

"In the summer of 2022 we, a small village primary school in Surrey, visited the Boetius Centre for a three-night stay. The whole experience was a sheer delight! The accommodation at the Centre was superb - plenty of dormitory space with en-suite facilities, a large dining room with fantastic catering staff and a breakout space ideal for relaxation, games and coaching from staff and guides. The accommodation for staff is excellent with their own kitchen and living area. As a result, we are visiting again in the summer of 2024!”

Mr Paul, Charlwood Village Primary School

Independent Day School for Boys

Co-Educational Sixth Form

Croydon

Trinity School, Shirley Park, Croydon CR9 7AT

@TrinityCroydon

trinity-school.org