Situated on the 157 mile North Downs Way and half a mile from the Pilgrims Way

just north east of Maidstone in Kent

The ideal base for Horseriders, Cyclists, Walkers and Caravans touring Kent, visiting London or as a Long Distance Trail Stopover

Accommodation Open all year

PLANS

Camping barn floor plan

New Bunkhouse barn floor plan

Plan of Coldblow Farm

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Coldblow Farm, Thurnham, Maidstone Kent ME14 3LR

Coldblow Farm Thurnham Maidstone Kent is believed to have been named during Saxon times. Our accommodation is situated 600 feet above sea level on top of the North Downs in Kent in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The views from local footpaths and bridleways are stunning.  The farm today has 32 acres including nine acres of ancient woodland, which is graded as Special Nature Conservation Value.

The long distance trail, The North Downs Way, runs along the southern boundary of the farm and the Pilgrims Way is just a short distance away. The farm is in a lovely area of countryside with an excellent network of footpaths.  For horseriders there is very good hacking on public bridlepaths, byways and toll rides.  Even the country lanes are relatively quiet!  For carriage drivers the local roads are driveable with care although there are some steep hills so passengers may have to dismount!

The animals on the farm are a small flock of sheep and we specialise in breeding a few Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, not rare but a minority breed. We also have free range chickens so your dogs must be kept on leads at all times.

There are scores of places to visit nearby our accommodation such as Canterbury, Leeds Castle, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Rochester Castle, Hop Farm Country Park, and the Carriage Museum in Maidstone along with many other places in the historic town. Headcorn Airfield and Museum is also close by. We have a wide range of up-to-date  tourist information leaflets.

On the doorstep of the farm accommodation, walkable, is the Kent County Showground with a year round calendar of events and Detling, Thurnham and Hucking Churches. The Woodland Trust has recently purchased 580 acres (200 ha) nearby to preserve the ancient woodland and plant new woodland.  A walks route leaflet is available for the Trust's estate. Thurnham even has its own Castle, although there are not many stones left because many of the village cottages are reported to have been built from the castle stones! Kent County Council recently purchased the land to preserve the Castle and plant a new area of woodland that they have named White Horse Wood.

Address for Satellite Navigators:
Coldblow Farm, Coldblow Lane, Thurnham, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3LR
Do Not use Sat Navs if towing or driving coach or lorry - see below:

From the M20: if towing or driving a coach or lorry DO NOT use Junction 7.  Leave the motorway at junction 8 (Leeds Castle) and follow signs to Maidstone A20.  After joining the A20 carry on for approx. one mile and look for first turning on right just after The Potted Garden, Garden Centre on right.  Turn right, road is called Roundwell.  Then take first right again, Water Lane.  Go to end of Water Lane, passing under 3 bridges.  You will pass entrance to Cobham Manor Equestrian Centre on your right.  At little staggered crossroads go straight over into Coldblow Lane.  The last section of road is single track and is steep uphill but you only have another half mile before Coldblow Farm's entrance is first property on the right.

From Detling Village: only use this route if travelling by car (not towing):  leave the M20 Motorway at junction 7 (Sheerness) and take the first exit left A249 (in the direction of Sheerness and Detling). Very soon after joining the A249 move into the right-hand/fast lane so that you can turn right/east into Detling Village. Take care crossing the other carriageway.  Follow the lane up into the village and just after the village shop look for a narrow turning on the right, the Pilgrims Way, opposite the Cock Horse Pub. Turn here in the direction of Thurnham.

After one mile, at Thurnham, the Black Horse Pub, go straight across the crossroads signposted to Hucking. Take the next left-hand turning, a staggered crossroads into Coldblow Lane, signposted to Hucking. Coldblow Farm is half a mile up the steep hill, the first farm on the right.

Ordinance Survey Sheet Explorer 148, Grid Ref: S22580

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Local Pubs for Lunchtimes or Evenings

The nearest Pub to Coldblow is the Hook & Hatchet just over half a mile across country, 2 miles by road, in the little hamlet of Hucking.  Many other country pubs in the villages of Thurnham, Detling, Bearsted Green & Hollingbourne.

Fish & Chips from Bearsted on the A20, just 2 miles from Coldblow and opposite a Tesco Express shop and petrol/fuel open until midnight.

Camping Barn

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What is a Camping Barn? - Camping Barns, sometimes known as 'stone tents' are former farm buildings converted to provide simple self catering accommodation for small or larger groups of people.  You could find yourself staying in a former barn, cornstore or byre.  All barns will be weather proof and will have wooden sleeping platforms, some are more luxurious than others!  Note: Camping Barns do not have beds but Bunkhouse Barns have bunk beds.

Anyone can stay in a Camping Barn as they provide an excellent base for exploring the local area or countryside with friends or family.  Camping Barns are also an ideal place for groups such as youth clubs, environmental groups, schools, or students who may be on a tight budget.

Unless you are taking advantage of the 'sole use/group booking' arrangement, remember that you may be sharing the barn with others. Coldblow's Camping Barn has just a few more home comforts!  It has mattresses, a small log burner, some easy chairs and two large radiators!

Eating - small kitchen area (fully equipped with all cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, electric oven, fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster).  There is a giant refectory table to seat everyone.

Sleeping - You will need to bring a warm sleeping bag and pillow, torch and warm clothes.  The barn is open plan and along each side are low wooden sleeping platforms.  We do provide 15 mattresses. Please note: the mattresses we provide are 'recycled' from the Bunkhouse Barns and are not in pristine condition.  You are advised to bring a mattress cover or sleeping mat.

Electricity and Heating - (radiators warm up twice daily) is included in the price, but if you require logs these are charged at £4 per container.  Due to recent fuel price increases we will have to charge a Daily Fuel surcharge if you require heating on all day.

Washing - Showers and toilets for the Camping Barn are in an adjacent building (The Old Bunkhouse) and showers are on a 3 x 20p. or 50p. Coin meter.

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The Small Bunkhouse

This Barn has housed many occupants over the years: pigs, horses, goats and in the year 2000 we saw our last few lambs born in there!  Now fully refurbished!  The price includes all electricity and heating, but showers are on a coin meter.

Sleeping - this barn has 3 bunkrooms, two to sleep four people, one small room sleeping two.  Each bunk bed is provided with a mattress and pillow.  You need to bring sleeping bag and pillow cover.

Eating - There is a farmhouse style kitchen fully equipped with all cutlery, crockery and cooking pans and utensils.  In the kitchen are ample cupboards and workspace, plus fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric oven.

Heating - There are radiators in each room. The heating is timed to come on twice a day.  All day (night) heating is subject to a £10 (£20 for 24 hrs) daily surcharge. 

Washing - A partition with lockable door leads to one end of the barn, which provides separate men's and ladies toilets, showers and washing rooms.  These facilities are shared with the occupants of the Camping Barn.  Showers are on a coin meter.

Wet Clothing - Adjacent to the shower rooms is an area for drying wet clothes with hanging space and a coin operated tumble dryer.

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The New Bunkhouse Barn - Now Sleeps 41

This barn is more like a Youth Hostel!  At each end of the main barn are two sleeping rooms.  In each of the four main sleeping rooms are bunk beds to sleep 8 people.  The Main Barn, without the extension, can sleep up to 32 people.  The price charged includes all electricity and heating but showers are on a coin meter.

In early 2006 we built a small annexe extension to the barn to provide a few extra sleeping spaces especially for Teachers and Youth Leaders in order to comply with recent legislation. We hope the entrance to this new extension is a little more Disabled Friendly.  For larger groups, you can also book the Extension (3 rooms sleeping 3, 2 and 4) to give you 41 Total Bed spaces!

Sleeping - In each of the bunkrooms each bunk bed has a mattress and pillow.  You will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow cover.  Each bunkroom has a radiator.

Eating - In the centre of the barn is a large Dining Area & Kitchen with tables and chairs to seat 41.  There is also a large T.V. screen with video. In this Dining area is a Double Kitchen with two of everything: electric cookers, microwaves, fridge/freezers, toasters.  There is plenty of workspace and cupboards containing all the cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils.

Showers, Washing, Toilets - At each end of the main barn are the two Shower Rooms: in each of these are two showers, two W.C.'s, two washbasins.  The Showers are on a 3 x 20p. Coin meter.  The new extension has a 'wet room' with Washbasin, W.C. and Shower.

Bar-B-Ques! - Our guests seem to enjoy eating outdoors - even in December!  Just occasionally it rains so there is a covered Bar-B-Que area, which is well sheltered.  There are three mobile Bar-B-Ques so you won't have to have a dispute over the sausages with another group!  Please note that for strict fire safety reasons you must ONLY use proper bar-b-que charcoal and absolutely no lighter fuel or firewood please.  The area in the front of the New Bunkhouse always catches the evening sun and is a lovely area for eating outdoors.

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Flint Cottage - Self Catering Holiday Cottage

Originally planned as part of the Camping Barn - the original roof fell in so it took longer to refurbish! It is partially joined on one wall to the Camping Barn.  Although totally separate from the other barns (and can be booked independently) many groups book this for less hardy souls!  It has exposed flint walls and beams inside and is open plan.  On the ground floor are the living area with sofa bed, table and chairs and a kitchen area in one corner.  There is a television and music player.  Heating is from two large radiators and a log burner.

Also on the ground floor is a shower room with electric shower, washbasin and toilet.  Up some steep narrow stairs (not suitable for small children or infirm) is a small loft/mezzanine area with two single beds.  Outside is a private patio with bar-b-q and seating.  This area catches the sunrise and set.

The Cottage is ideal for two people.  Clean dogs and cats welcome!  The price includes all electricity and twice daily heating.  Extra heating can be paid for. Logs and linen are charged as extras (see price list) but must be booked well in advance.

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Tents, Caravans, Camper Vans & Motor homes

At one end of our Sheep Field is a Camping Paddock.  We can take up to 5 Caravans for Camping & Caravan Club Members and any number of Tents.  There are electric hook-ups to the Paddock. Open fires are not allowed but safe Bar-B-Ques can be used by your tent or caravan.  There is a water tap in the Paddock.

A short walk up a path from the Camping Paddock leads to the washing facilities for Campers: two toilets, three showers and washing up room with a vanity basin.  Shower on a 3 x 20p. Coin meter.  In winter we can provide a small flat hard standing area with electric hook up.

New for 2009 – Disabled & Eco Friendly Bunkhouse

Building for this new Barn will commence in September 2008 and we plan to have it ready for occupation in Spring 2009.  It will be single storey and the exterior will look similar to the Flint Cottage.  Watch this space!

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(From 1st June, 2009)

2 night bookings only at weekends, 3 on Bank Holidays, unless still vacant week before or low season in which case a one night booking may be a possibility
(p.p.p.n. = per person, per night)

You may book all Barns together, which will give you total bed spaces of 66 (76 when Flint Lodge available), but advance booking essential for a group of this size!

Sole Use Bookings - If you are booking on a sole use basis you will only have use of the number of rooms/bed spaces you have paid for.  For example - Minimum sole use in the Large Bunkhouse is 24 so the remaining sleeping rooms will be locked.  You will only have access to all sleeping rooms if you pay for them all.

Singles/Smaller Groups may book Small Bunkhouse or Camping Barn at short notice or in low season, but price per person may be higher.

Both Bunkhouse Barns are provided with bunk beds with mattresses, mattress protector cover and a pillow with cover.  Please bring a Sleeping Bag and Top Pillow Cover.  The Camping Barn has 15 sleeping mats, but no beds or pillows.

Prices include electricity and heating (in winter) which comes on twice daily.  All day/night heating supplement £10 per day, £20 all day and night.  Logs for Log Burner in Camping Barn £4 per bag. 

All showers in Barns are on coin meters (3 x 20p = 60p, or 1 x 50p)

Total 41 Beds 32 Beds in Main Barn: 4 rooms with 8 beds in each.  Further 9 beds in Extension: 3 rooms: 3, 2 and 4 beds plus 'wet room'.  Minimum 'sole use' group size is 24.  Note: only the rooms you have paid for will be unlocked:

Charge per person, per night = £14.50 for groups of 24 plus
24 x £14.50 = £348 per night
32 x £14.50 = £464 per night
41 x £14.50 = £594.50
Discounts available for 3 nights or more, excluding Bank Holidays

Total 10 Beds (2 rooms x 4 beds, 1 x 2 beds) groups only at weekends unless vacant week before, i.e. last minute booking

Charge £14.50 p.p.p.n. x 10 = £145

Sleeps 15 on mattresses provided on platform either side of barn

£8.50 pppn - 15 x £8.50 = £127.50

Cottage not available currently due to Flint Lodge building project adjacent

due for completion late 2009 – Full Info and Prices once completed, but prices will start from £65 per twin room

A Cleaning/Damage Deposit of £100 is payable on booking.  This will be returned the week following your stay less any deductions for cleaning or damages.

Linen Hire - it is normal practice to bring your own sleeping bags for bunkhouses/camping barns.  If you cannot bring your own you may, with enough notice, be able to hire from our small emergency store: sheets, duvet, pillow covers and towel at £12 per person, £10 excluding towels, per stay.  If you require beds made up and stripped the extra cost is £3 per person.  We appreciate this cost is high but the costs of storage, external laundering, labour and all the environmental health compliance adds to the cost.  Please Note Carefully! Linen is NOT provided without advance warning & payment!  Our Housekeeper does not live on site so we require AT LEAST a week's notice and payment in advance.  If you turn up late at night without sleeping bag we will charge an additional 'late fee' of £5 per person to unlock the cupboard and sort it all out.  Scouts Motto = Be Prepared!

£12 per pitch inc. 2 people (no electric)
£5 per additional adult
£3 children/young people 3-14, under 3’s free
Electric Pitches: £15 summer. Winter metered at cost.

One Person Small Tent Pitch - £6 with bicycle, £7 with car

We have the local OS Explorer Maps with Public Rights of Way: footpaths, bridlepaths & byways hi-lited.  These are available on loan with a carrying case - £10 Deposit, £1 hire to cover cost of wear & tear!  Please ask on arrival.

Please see our Rules & Conditions, especially the one about noise!

Please familiarize yourself with the Farm Plan displayed in each Barn and ensure that all members of your group do not stray into prohibited areas of the farm.

No Smoking in any of the Barns or vicinity of the Buildings (all cigarette butts must be placed in the containers or sandbins provided)

Bar-B-Que Safety – DO NOT USE firewood, ONLY proper charcoal.  No lighter fuel.  No open fires.

Unless you have horses here on a Horse or Pony Camp you may not visit the stables or horse fields.

Please keep away from/out of all Farm Buildings and do not enter Fields other than the Camping Paddock.

The gate by the road must be kept Closed during hours of darkness - this is as much for your safety and security but also for our animals.  The Inner Security Gate has a code that will be given to you just before your stay as the number changes frequently.

Car Parking - do not block access to the Barns, as access is required for fire engines/emergency vehicles.

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Please phone the Bookings Office: 01622 730439.  The Office is open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.  Or please e-mail: coldblowfarm@homecall.co.uk

Payment: (Please see our Terms & Conditions) No accommodation can be held without a Booking Deposit.  Full Payment is due 8 weeks prior to date of stay.  Damage Deposit also payable.

In emergency or difficulty with the above number or email:

Our private house number is 01622 735038.  Please do not use this number to enquire about dates and availability, or alter bookings.

General Information & Terms & Conditions

PLEASE READ VERY CAREFULLY

BOOKINGS & PAYMENT  We will only hold the dates on receipt of a £100 Booking Fee per Barn.  Full payment (less the Booking Fee plus the Damage, Cleaning & Noise Disturbance Deposit) is required 8 weeks in advance of the dates of your stay.  Most major credit cards accepted or cheque.  All cancellations are subject to a cancellation charge. Refunds are calculated from the day that written notice is received by Coldblow Farm.

LINEN HIRE

It is normal practice to bring your own sleeping bags and towels when staying in this type of accommodation.  If are unable to do this, we can hire out linen packs (sheets, duvet, pillow case and towel) but you will need to make up and strip your beds.  However, you MUST provide at least one weeks’ notice.

ARRIVAL

Please telephone Coldblow Farm to confirm time of arrival on 01622 730439. Arrival MUST be after 4pm unless a special arrangement has been made.

DEPARTURE

At busy times groups often follow straight after each other, even Sundays, and the Barns must be cleaned and safety checked between groups. Departure MUST, therefore, be before 10:00am (unless you have made a special arrangement with the Owner). 

Before leaving the accommodation, please check that your group has left the accommodation clean and tidy (See Rules & Conditions below) and return the keys.

GETTING TO COLDBLOW

Drivers of mini buses/coaches/towing/lorries: (DO NOT APPROACH FROM JUNCTION 7) From the M20 leave at Junction 8 and take the A20 (in direction of Maidstone), turn right after one mile into Roundwell (Road) signposted Bearsted & Thurnham.   Take first right after half a mile into Water Lane.  After 1.25 miles you come to a small cross roads, go straight across into Coldblow Lane, and Coldblow Farm is half a mile up hill, first farm on right. Directions from other routes see above

DAMAGE, CLEANING & NOISE DISTURBANCE CALL OUT DEPOSIT

To help us and other Barns under the YHA & Independent Hostel Association schemes keep prices low, visitors are asked to do their own tidying, washing up and sweeping the floor.  Hire charges for Bunkhouses & Camping Barns are much lower than hotels to reflect the fact that groups are expected to clean up after their stay.   In other words please stick to the philosophy “leave the Barn as you find it”.  Sadly, some groups interpret this in different ways (!) in which case we will deduct various costs from the Deposit (see Rules & Conditions).

Damage/Cleaning/Noise deposit amounts: 
£50 – for the Camping Barn or Small Bunkhouse
£100 - for the Large Bunkhouse
£250 – Youth Groups, University/College Groups, etc. (some excepted)

Please note: The accommodation is checked before and after each stay during the Cleaning process.  Providing damage etc has not occurred during your stay; the damage/cleaning deposit will be returned to you in the week following your stay Please see the section ‘Rules & Conditions” below for further details.

RULES & CONDITIONS

It is an absolute condition of Booking that you and your entire group adhere to the following:

No responsibility can be accepted for any personal possessions left on the premises either during or after your stay. We will, however, endeavour to return to you any items left behind if you advise where to send to & pay p&p.

Damage Deposits

Your deposit will be returned by post less any deductions for the following:

• cutlery/crockery not washed up properly and put back inside cupboards or moved from one building to another;
• rubbish not bagged up and taken to the rubbish collection area outside
• breakages or loss of any fixtures, fittings or equipment including crockery, cutlery etc., damage to paintwork (please do not stick notices on painted walls);
• vomit in the toilets/showers or toilet paper fights;
• litter, dirt or mess or beer/wine spilt on floors or outside Barns;
• cigarette stubs dropped on the ground outside;
• lights left on after your departure; lost keys, missing pillows

All repairs & replacements charged at purchase cost plus £10 per hour for labour.

FIREWORKS are NOT ALLOWED due to proximity of farm animals, horses and vulnerable buildings.

RESTRICTED AREAS - Some areas of the farm are strictly out of bounds.  Please adhere to 'no entry to campers' signs.  This rule must be adhered to for your safety and important insurance reasons.  You may also set off a security alarm for which there is a £25 call out charge at night.

BAR-B-QUES - We do provide mobile bar-b-ques but these must be used with utmost care.  Please DO NOT burn anything but proper charcoal in them.  If it is very windy we may ask that you do not use the Bar-b-ques due to the risk of fire.  Ensure that there is both a sand bucket and bucket of water nearby.

DOGS - Must be kept on a lead and under strict control at all times. 

VISITORS – Due to insurance and health & safety restrictions and parking availability, we can only accommodate the number of persons that you have paid for in your group i.e. if you are planning on bringing ‘day visitors’, who will leave in the evening, you will need to book extra ‘beds’ for these persons even if they will not be staying for the night.

CANDLES – Due to fire safety restrictions you must not burn candles of any sort.

HEATING - The central heating in all Barns is on a timer and is set to come on for a few hours in the morning and evening during cold periods.  If you require additional heating we can switch it over to 'Constant' but we will require £10 supplement per 12 hours due to the huge increases in oil prices.  If, on the other hand, you are too warm please turn down the thermostatic valve on each radiator before opening windows. 

SMOKING - Smoking is not allowed inside any of the Barns. If you wish to smoke please do this outside and put cigarette ends in the sand bins provided - not on the ground.  The cost of picking up dog ends will be deducted from your deposit.

DRUGS & ALCOHOL - If we have any suspicion that you or members of your group are using drugs or are consuming so much alcohol that they are a danger to themselves, members of your group or other people staying here we will not hesitate to call the Police and ask your group to leave immediately

Minors – We cannot accept unaccompanied minors (i.e. persons under the age of 18).  A parent or legal guardian in loco parentis must accompany all persons under the age of 18 at all times during their stay.

Please return all keys given to you on arrival.

If we are not around please post through our house letterbox.

Catering Service Now Available!

We can put you in touch with a couple of local caterers who can arrange to cater for your group at a price to suit your budget.