Academic Summer’s Westcountry Adventure is a summer school near Bristol at the beautiful Sidcot campus in Somerset. Learn English, explore the countryside and make friends from around the world. Ages 7 to 17.
At Academic Summer’s Westcountry Adventure, both children and teens spend their summer in the heart of the English countryside, with beautiful, green surrounds and a safe, stately campus They learn English. They make friends from across the world. They go on trips to London, try new activities and come home with more confidence than they arrived with.
If you are looking for a summer school near Bristol that offers more than just lessons, then the Academic Summer Camp at Sidcot is ideal.
Where is Sidcot School?
Sidcot School sits in the Mendip Hills in Somerset, surrounded by fields, woodland and open countryside. It is 45 minutes from Bristol city centre and less than two hours from London Heathrow by road , which makes it easy to reach from the airport on arrival day.
The school has been around since 1699. It is a real, working British boarding school with impressive. modern facilities — classrooms, science labs, a swimming pool, sports fields, a modern arts centre and a dining room that serves proper, freshly cooked meals every day. When students arrive, they feel the difference a real school environment makes.
Bristol is just down the road. Students visit the city during the programme and get to experience one of the UK’s most creative and exciting places. As well as the Somerset countryside, Mendip Hills and the coast.
Who is the programme for?
The Westcountry Adventure is for students aged 7 to 17 and it runs from 5 July to 9 August 2026.
Younger students aged 7 to 10 join the Adventurers group, taught by experienced primary school teachers in small classes of no more than 12. Older students work at the level that is right for them, studying a range of academic subjects with specialist teachers.
All students take part in the Academic Summer Camps Be a Leader programme, which helps them build confidence, work as a team and develop the kind of skills that last long after the summer is over. Every student who completes the programme receives a CPD-accredited certificate to keep.
Whether your child is joining us from Italy, Japan, Brazil or Bristol, they will be welcomed into a community where 60 or more nationalities come together every summer.
👉 See the full Westcountry Adventure programme
What does a typical day look like?
Mornings are for learning. Students attend English language classes or subject lessons, depending on their age and level. Teaching at Academic Summer uses a CLIL approach which means students learn through real topics and real ideas, not just grammar exercises. It is a natural and effective way to improve English quickly.
Afternoons and evenings are for activities. Sport, outdoor adventures, creative sessions, trips into Bristol or the surrounding countryside as well as trips to London. The days are full but never rushed.
At weekends, students go on excursions. Past trips have included visits to Bath and other beautiful parts of the West of England. These trips are included in the programme. They are not extra.
⚽ Football camp at Sidcot for students aged 8 to 17
For students who love football, the Westcountry Adventure can include something extra special. Academic Summer’s football camp at Sidcot runs in partnership with British Camp and offers professional FA-level coaching from qualified coaches throughout the summer.
Students train on the pitch during the day, working on technique, tactics and teamwork. In the evenings, the programme continues with e-sports sessions, a modern and exciting addition that reflects how football and technology are connected today.
One of the biggest highlights of the football programme is a visit to Emirates Stadium, the home of Arsenal. For any young football fan, walking into that stadium is a moment they will remember.
Spaces on the football camp are limited. Families are encouraged to register interest early.
👉 Read more about football camp at Sidcot
Want to see what Academic Summer is really like?
The Academic Summer Camps magazine gives you a real look inside life on our programmes — the students, the stories, the camps and the people behind it all. It is free to read online.
👉 Read the Academic Summer magazine
Is Sidcot right for your child?
Sidcot is a very different experience from our London programme. It is quieter, more personal and deeply connected to the British countryside. Students who come here often say it feels like a real community — not just a summer course. Many come back year after year.
If your child enjoys the outdoors, wants to improve their English in a natural and friendly environment and would love to make genuine friends from around the world, Sidcot is an excellent choice. And if they love football or horseriding, even better.
Practical information about our Summer School near Bristol
Location: Sidcot School, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1PD — near Bristol Dates: 5 July to 9 August 2026 Ages: 7 to 17 Programme: Westcountry Adventure — English, academic subjects, Be a Leader, outdoor activities and excursions Accreditation: BAC accredited. Students receive a CPD certificate and a teacher’s report.
👉 View dates and fees 👉 Book your place now 👉 Contact the team
Academic Summer Camps has set the standard for UK summer programmes for children and teens since 2010. Each year the company welcomes 7 to 17-year-olds from over 60 countries to their campuses in London and Bristol. The Academic Summer approach is simple but powerful — London and the English countryside become the classroom, not just the backdrop. CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) sits at the heart of everything they do. Students learn through real subjects in real places, so their English and their confidence grow together. Plus, each student leaves with real qualifications, a detailed teacher report and the kind of confidence that only comes from doing something that genuinely challenged them. BAC accredited, a family based company and serious about quality, Academic Summer believes a great summer doesn’t just entertain children, it prepares them for life.
