Blackland
Farm
The adventures start here!
1
Welcome
Nestled in the glorious Sussex countryside yet close to all major
transport links, Blackland Farm is a multi-purpose activity
centre offering a wide range of fun and challenging activities.
We specialise in providing great value, exciting residential
adventures for young people.
From abseiling to zip wire, there are
enough activities on site to give any
group an action-packed visit. Our
variety of facilities and friendly,
knowledgeable staff will help you
create a truly memorable camp,
holiday or event.
2
Why come to
Blackland Farm?
There is something to suit every group –
and every budget! Whether you’re
planning a ‘survival style’ camp for five
people or a major event for 3,000,
we have the ideal site and range of
activities for you.
Our 120-acre site combines woodland
with fields. You can choose to camp on
our campsites (equipped or back-tobasics!) or stay in one of four purposebuilt holiday houses.
Our fully qualified instructors hold
nationally recognised qualifications and
have extensive experience of instructing
groups of all ages and abilities.
They are skilled at bringing out the
best in young people, encouraging them
to achieve more than they ever
expected. Watch your group grow in
confidence and self-esteem as they
learn new skills from our team.
We want all our visitors to have the best
time possible, and we are proud of our
flexibility. Talk to us about how we can
help you to create a great camp or
holiday adventure. Many groups have
such a good time at Blackland Farm
that they return year after year!
3
Out and about
Blackland Farm is an ideal base for
exploring the local area. Nearby
attractions include Hever Castle, where
Anne Boleyn once lived, and Winston
Churchill’s former home at Chartwell.
Brighton, London and theme parks such
as Chessington World of Adventures,
Thorpe Park and Drusillas Park are each
about an hour away. Blackland Farm is
also within walking distance of Ashdown
Forest and the Bluebell Steam Railway.
The Girlguiding connection
Blackland Farm is owned by Girlguiding,
the largest voluntary organisation for
girls and young women in the UK. We
support the organisation’s
aims by providing
experiences that allow
young people to
develop their full
potential.
4
Safety first
Girlguiding has an enviable
safety record in providing
residential events and supplying
adventurous activities for young
people. We have stringent risk
assessment protocols and training
procedures, so you can be sure that while
our activities are challenging and
encourage young people to develop an
awareness of risk, they are carried out
within an appropriately safe environment.
You can download our risk assessments for
the key adventurous activities from our
web pages at www.blacklandfarm.org.uk.
Our climbing and water activities have
been inspected by the Adventure
Activities Licensing Authority and the
British Canoe Union. Details of our
licence are available on request.
We also hold public liability insurance.
5
Something for everyone
Guiding and
Scouting groups
We have accommodation options to suit
all sections, and a great range of
activities to complement any
programme theme.
Special events for
Girlguiding members
Contact the office or visit our website
to find out about special Rainbow and
Brownie themed fun days and events/
camps for Guides and Senior Section.
Large events
We have the experience and infrastructure
to host camps and events for up to
3,000 people.
6
Corporate team building/adventure days
Whether the purpose is team building, leadership
development or simply to reward your team, you will
have fun and discover hidden talents while developing
key skills such as communication and teamwork.
Our activities are suitable for all levels of
physical fitness and ability.
Schools
Come for the day
A residential adventure lets your pupils
make closer friendships, learn new
skills, work as a team and develop
their self-esteem. Our fun activities
promote a healthy lifestyle and increase
pupils’ enjoyment and appreciation of
the outdoors, as well as encouraging
them to make their own choices and
learn to assess risk.
Looking for a great day out for your
group? Our activities are available all
year round – just pick and mix from the
wide range on offer (see pages 12-16).
Happy birthday!
Want a birthday party with a difference?
You can hire our facilities and activities
for your big day.
Visit our website to download Blackland
Farm’s ‘Every Child Matters’ matrix.
Call us!
Our staff will be delighted to talk to you
about your group’s requirements and help
you plan an adventure to remember.
Please call us for an informal chat or
to ask questions. See page 19 for our
contact details.
7
Accommodation
Camping
We welcome all sizes of camps and have
spacious campsites for you to choose
from. Don’t worry if your group doesn’t
have any camping equipment; for a
modest fee, you can hire tents, shelters
and equipment from us.
Most of our sites are equipped with a
toilet/shower block. Each group will be
allocated a toilet block for their sole
use (it is the group’s responsibility to
clean it as well). Our toilet blocks are
suitable for female or male use and all
include showers. Tokens are used for
the lights, water heating and showers –
so you only pay for the electricity your
group uses.
If you plan to go back to basics, we
have a number of unequipped campsites
with just a water tap – bring all other
equipment with you, or perfect your
survival skills!
8
9
Indoor accommodation
For those who like a real bed at night,
there are four well equipped self-catering
houses to choose from. All are situated
at the heart of the campsite with easy
access to activities.
All houses have various sized bedrooms
and separate living areas. They all have
gas cookers and are supplied with
crockery and cutlery.
Indoor accommodation
facilities
WEAVERS
RESTROP
WAGTAIL
LODGE
HERONS
HOUSE
(available
October–March)
Sleeps no. of people
Room sizes
Heating
Utilities
Disabled access
Private grassed area
38
25
30
20
4 x 8 beds
2 x 3 beds
1 dormitory
x 22 beds
1 x 3 beds
1 dormitory
x 26 beds
1 x 4 beds
1 x 8 beds
6 x 2 beds
Gas
Electric
Electric
Electric
Gas and Gas included, Gas included, Gas and
electricity
electricity
electricity
electricity
included
through a
through a
included
coin meter coin meter
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes, also a
spacious
veranda
No
Yes
Yes
Site facilities
Our on-site shop is open daily during the summer, and by appointment in winter,
selling gifts, postcards, sweets and drinks.
10
RESTROP
WEAVERS
WAGTAIL LODGE
HERONS HOUSE
11
Activities
Whether you’re a beginner or
an expert, we have activities to
challenge you! Residential guests
and day visitors can book a wide
range of activities which will give
your group an opportunity to
explore new or different ways to
enjoy the outdoors. You’ll be
busy from dawn to dusk.
On the water
Our paddlesport activities take place on
Weir Wood reservoir, within 30 minutes’
walk of the campsite. All participants
must be able to swim 50m in clothing
normally worn for the activity. Buoyancy
aids will be provided. All sessions include
instructors, with instructors qualified to
British Canoe Union level 1 or 2.
12
KAYAKING (AGE 10+)
SWIMMING
An introduction to this exciting sport –
learn the basics of paddling a kayak,
a single-seat canoe that you propel
using a double-ended paddle.
Fancy a dip? Our indoor heated
swimming pool is available between May
and September. Please note that you
will need to arrange for a suitably
qualified instructor/lifeguards. We are
able to provide lifeguards; please
contact the office for details.
OPEN CANOEING (AGE 7+)
An ideal introduction to the water.
An open canoe is usually paddled by
two to four people.
Head for heights?
We have activities to suit and challenge
everyone – from the complete beginner
to the seasoned climber. Depending on
the weather, sessions are available
throughout the year, including evenings
(subject to daylight for the outdoor
climbing wall). All sessions include
safety equipment and instructors, who
hold the Girlguiding Climbing and
Abseiling Scheme level 1 qualification.
CLIMBING WALLS (AGE 7+)
Whatever the weather, you can climb at
Blackland Farm on our professionally
built indoor or outdoor walls.
ROCK CLIMBING (AGE 14+)
For those with some climbing
experience, a chance to test your skills
at Stone Farm Rocks, a nearby
sandstone outcrop (about 20 minutes’
walk from the site).
ABSEILING (AGE 7+)
What goes up must come down!
Descend one of our two purpose-built
abseil towers in style.
ZIP WIRE (AGE 7+)
Build your confidence and enjoy the
thrill of whizzing through the trees on
one of the two permanent zip wires
hidden deep in our woodland.
CRATE CHALLENGE (AGE 7+)
This challenge develops trust and
encourages teamwork. Groups build
a tower of crates with two members
balancing on top. Can your group beat
the record?
BUNGEE TRAMPOLINES (AGE 5+)
Our ever-popular
bungee trampolines
are available all
year round (unless
there is snow or
ice!). Ideal for
birthday parties.
Instructor(s)
included.
Target practice
ARCHERY
We have three outdoor archery ranges and one indoor range. Sessions include
GNAS-qualified instructors. All equipment is provided.
RIFLE SHOOTING
Find out whether you are a crack shot
on our shooting range, which is
equipped with 0.177 air rifles.
You will need to provide a qualified
instructor for this activity and follow
your organisation’s rules for
participants’ eligibility.
14
Fun for all
TEAM BUILDING
A variety of problem-solving exercises
for all ages to tackle. Instructor(s)
included.
ORIENTEERING
Discover Blackland Farm on our
professionally designed permanent
orienteering course. Pick up your maps
from the office.
ASSAULT COURSE
Based in Tits Wood, the FREE assault
course is a great way to burn off excess
energy! Please note that a suitable
adult must supervise this activity.
LOW ROPES COURSE
A series of intriguing obstacles that the
group must negotiate while developing
their teamwork, coordination and
communication skills.
15
TRAILS
Explore the Blackland Farm site – an
ideal activity if your group has some
time to spare.
BOULDERING WALL (AGE 7+)
An exciting low-level climbing
experience, suitable both for beginners
and as practice for those who have
climbed before.
GRASS SLEDGES (AGES 5–14)
Who needs snow? We have six sledges
for hire that you can use on Kingfisher
field.
TUNNELS
New in 2008, our manmade caving
experience! Find your way through a
labyrinth of connected 60cm diameter
plastic pipes.
AEROBALL
Trampoline-based netball-style activity.
16
Facilities and
equipment for hire
Sign up for a Blackland
Farm activity course
Looking to hire facilities? If you already
have qualified instructors, our abseiling
tower, climbing wall and kayaking/open
canoe equipment are available to hire
at competitive rates. Please note
that we will require copies of your
instructors’ qualifications in
advance. A list of accepted
qualifications is
available upon request.
If you’ve had a taste of what we can
offer and want to take it further, why
not sign up for one of our activity
courses? Run throughout the year by
our qualified instructors, the courses
can help you improve your skills and
knowledge and work towards nationally
recognised qualifications.
To find out more, please contact the
office and request our courses brochure
or visit our web pages at
www.blacklandfarm.org.uk.
Take it further
Thinking of pursuing a career in activity
provision or centre management?
Every year Blackland Farm recruits
activity instructors, camp assistants
and volunteers to help in the shop.
To find out more, contact us now.
17
Booking
your
adventure
18
Group accommodation booking: to book accommodation and/or activities, please phone
or email us to check availability on your chosen dates and make a provisional booking.
We will then send you a pack, which includes an activity booking form, and hold your
provisional booking for a maximum of two weeks until we receive your booking form.
You can book unsupervised and supervised activities at least 48 hours in advance
by sending the activity booking form to us, except for spring half term and summer
holiday weeks when you need to book any supervised activities six weeks before
the date of your camp.
Activities without instructors can also be booked when you are here on site.
Day visitors: please phone, fax, email or post your requirements to us.
Corporate visitors and schools: please contact us for an informal chat to discuss
your requirements. We will then advise you on the booking procedure.
Contact us
If you have any queries or require
further information, please contact
us at:
Girlguiding Blackland Farm
Grinstead Lane, East Grinstead
West Sussex RH19 4HP
Tel: 01342 810493
Fax: 01342 811206
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.blacklandfarm.org.uk
19
Getting here
How to find Blackland Farm
A22
630
2B
M23
9A 9
B2
A264
6302B
London
Gatwick
8
02
0
11
A23
Haywards
Heath
A272
A272
A22
B
0
B2
6302B
11
B2
10A
12
11
A264
East
Grinstead
01
Crawley
8202B
10
BLACKLAND
FARM
B2
02
A22
8
A275
BY ROAD
From M23 – Exit at junction ten.
Follow A264 for East Grinstead to A22
traffic lights and turn right. Turn right
again at the next traffic lights into
Imberhorne Lane. At the end of the
road, go over the cross-roads. At the
T-junction, turn right. From the
bottom of a steep hill, Blackland Farm
is half a mile up on the right.
From M25 – Exit at junction six.
Follow A22 for East Grinstead for 12
miles. At Felbridge, go straight on at
the first traffic lights. Turn right at
the next traffic lights into Imberhorne
Lane. At the end of the road, go over
the cross-roads. At the T-junction,
turn right. From the bottom of a steep
hill, Blackland Farm is half a mile on
the right.
www.girlguiding.org.uk
A272
© The Guide Association 2013. Girlguiding is an
operating name of The Guide Association. Registered
charity number 306016. Incorporated by Royal Charter.
From A22 – At Wych Cross take the
left turn signposted to Sharpthorne.
Follow the road for approximately
1.3 miles to the next crossroads and
take the left turn. Follow this for
approximately 1.3 miles and take
the first right, signposted to East
Grinstead and the National Trust site
Standen. Follow the road for
approximately 0.6 miles and Blackland
Farm is on your left.
BY TRAIN
Trains from London Victoria to East
Grinstead take about 50 minutes. Take
a taxi from the station to Blackland
Farm (approximately four miles).
Blacklan
d Farm