Ditch your phone, grab your wellies and come and join us for a week of fun at The Forge! Our new Back To Nature Summer Camp is a celebration of all the things we love to do and that we'd love to share with you.
- Ever wanted to start a fire without matches?
- Throw an axe?
- Grow your own veg?
- Keep your own bees and hens?
- Try wild swimming?
Then this is the perfect camp for you. Over the course of the four days you'll get the chance to try loads of different activities, whether you are keen to learn more about living from the land, or just want to get the kids off their screens and back into nature.
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Come and join us!
You are never too young to learn to throw an axe!
How it works
We'll be running three workshops every morning and afternoon and you can choose which one you would like to join. We'll be running each one multiple times so you don't have to worry about missing out. All the workshops are suitable for adults and children (with the exception of the wild swim and sauna) and you don't need any experience or special equipment at all.
You'll get to choose from:
- Beekeeping
- Bushcraft
- Chicken keeping
- Foraging
- Hunting weapons
- Scything
- Vegetable growing
- Wild swimming and wood-fired sauna (over 18s only)
We'll also be running a series of optional activities each evening around the campfire that you are all welcome to join including stargazing, spoon carving and storytelling.
All the workshops are included in the price and you are welcome to join as many or as few as you like.
Evening meals are included and will be a wholesome mixture of homegrown veg, wild meat, foraged goodies and locally sourced produce. We are very happy to cater for all dietary requirements - just let us know when you book. If you would like to order breakfast or barbecue hampers this can be arranged for your arrival.
Come and meet our friendly hens!
How much does it cost?
Glamping Accommodation - £750 per family/tent - 5 tickets available
If you'd like to stay in our heated, luxury bell tents with real beds, carpets and lots of cosy cushions and blankets it costs £750 for up to 5 people. There is a double and two single beds in each tent and we can put up an extra camp bed free of charge if you need it. We also have a gypsy caravan available for two adults or one adult and a child for the same price. Three evening meals are included in the price - breakfast and barbecue hampers can be ordered for an additional cost.
Bring your own tent/campervan - £350 per family/tent/campervan - 4 tickets available
If you'd like to bring your own tent or campervan you are very welcome to do so, although bear in mind that we don't have any hook ups and the ground may be a little lumpy and bumpy in places. You will have access to our communal hot showers and communal compost loo, and we'll feed you from when you arrive until you leave. Three evening meals are included in the price - breakfast and barbecue hampers can be ordered for an additional cost.
We really want this camp to be as accessible to as many people as possible so we are very happy to set up payment plans with you if that helps, and discuss pricing options to see if there's a way to make it work for all of us.
Experience the buzz of getting up close and personal with our colonies of bees.
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FANTASTIC FAMILY CAMPVictoria, July 2024
We visited the Forge for the Back to Nature Summer Camp. It was a fantastic retreat from start to finish. The activities were engaging and inclusive of all ages and there was plenty of choice. The accommodation was fantastic, comfy bell tents with kitchen and the hammock was a hit with all the family. Sheena and Jaime were fantastic hosts and the whole team were incredibly knowledgeable about their workshops. Amazing food provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner and allergies were catered for. The wild swim pond and wood fired sauna for adults only was a lovely treat in the evening. I cannot recommend this retreat enough for a fantastic family trip.
BEST START TO THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS!Climber, July 2024
We had a wonderful time at the forge. We went for a family retreat. Jamie and Sheena are really friendly, down to earth hosts. They went above and beyond to cater for our dietary requirements providing gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. Beautiful location. The activities were fun and engaging, the instructors were all lovely people, gave clear instructions and were patient with the kids. We did all sorts from bushcraft to beekeeping. The kids had lots of space to play and explore particularly enjoyed meeting the chickens. Highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are small children able to join the summer camp?
Yes absolutely. We are happy for children of all ages to join us, and we can provide travel cots and high chairs if required. We will have a chat with you about which activities would be most appropriate for your children to join to make sure that we keep everyone safe and happy.
Can I bring my dogs?
Yes of course. We are very dog friendly at The Forge and supply water bowls and dog waste bins for you. We just ask that you keep your dog under close control at all times and clean up after them. As there will be lots of families joining us for the summer camp we also ask that you are respectful of any other guests who might be nervous around dogs.
I prefer to bring my own food, is this ok?
Yes this is fine, we just ask that you let us know if advance so we can plan the menus and food prep accordingly. We cannot offer a discount if you opt to bring your own food but we can cater for most dietary requirements so have a chat with us in advance and we'll see if we can accommodate your needs.
Do I have to attend all the workshops?
No, it's entirely up to you how much or how little you want to get involved. About a month before the camp, we'll be sending out some sign up forms so you can let us know which sessions you'd like to try. Equally if you'd like to have some time away from the camp exploring the area that is absolutely fine by us. This is your week and we'd like you to get as much out of it as possible!
Do you have any electricity on site?
No, we are a completely off-grid site so you won't be able to bring your hairdryer or your straighteners I'm afraid! However, we do supply solar powered phone chargers and lights, which we keep charged up for you throughout your stay.
If you'd like to ask anything else then please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Cancellation Policy
If you are no longer able to make the retreat we will in the first instance give you the option to move your place to another date. If that is not an option then we will work with you to try to fill your place so we can give you a full refund. However if we are unable to fill your spot then the following cancellation policy will apply:
12 weeks’ notice or more – you only lose the 25% deposit
6 - 12 weeks’ notice – lose 25% deposit plus a further 25% of the total cost of your booking (50% of total cost of booking)
4 - 6 weeks’ notice – lose 75% of total cost of booking
Less than 4 weeks’ notice – lose 100% of total cost of booking