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

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Coldblow Farm, Thurnham, Maidstone Kent

The Farm is believed to have been named during Saxon times. It's situated on top of the North Downs in Kent offering miles of views to the south and east from two view points on the farm. The farm today has 33 acres including nine acres of ancient woodland which was 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 bridlepaths and byways.

The animals on the farm are a small flock of sheep and we specialise in breeding a few Black Welsh Moutain Sheep, not rare but a minority breed. There are also other, bottle reared, friendly sheep. There are also Pygmy Goats who regularly walk 'their bit' of the North Downs Way with us, together with our own and other people's horses and ponies.

Local Places of Interest

There are scores of places to visit nearby our accommodation, such as Canturbury, Leeds Castle, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Rochester Castle, Hop Farm Country Park, the Carriage Museum in Maidstone along with many other places in the historic town. Headcorn Airfield and Museum is also close by.

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. 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 has recently purchased the land and is planning to restore the Castle.

How to find our accommodation

From the M20: leave the Motorway at junction 7 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.

From Detling Village: look for a narrow road, 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 tuning, 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.

From the M2: leave at junction 5 and travel south west in the direction of Maidstone, on the A249. After approx. 4 miles the dual carriageway narrows and goes steeply downhill look for a sign on the left into Detling Village. Turn here and follow the directions above from the Cock Horse Pub, Detling (above).

From the nearest Railway Station: Bearsted: On foot or bicycle, turn left out of the main station entrance, a few hundred yards along and you will come to a small parade of shops, turn left again here into Thurnham Lane.

Follow Thurnham Lane uphill, for approx. 1 mile under the railway bridge, under the Motorway and then under the new Channel Tunnel Rail Link bridge! A little further on you come to the Black Horse Pub crossroads at Thurnham. Turn right here, signposted to Hucking. You are now on the Pilgrims Way, take the next left 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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Camping Barn

What is a Camping Barn? - Camping Barns, sometimes known as 'stone tents' are farm buildings converted to provide simple self-catering accommodation for small 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!

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, 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 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 so you don't need to bring a 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 2 x 20p. or 50p. coin meter.

The Old 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 bunk rooms, two to sleep four people, one small room sleeping two.  Each bunk bed is provided with a mattess 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, fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric oven.  There are radiators in each room.   

Washing - A partition with lockable door leads to one end of the barn which provides separate mens 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.

The New Bunkhouse Barn now sleeps 41.........!

This barn is more like a Youth Hostel!  At each end of the barn are two sleeping rooms.  In each of the four sleeping rooms are bunk beds to sleep 8 people.  So the Main Barn 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 specially 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.  So, for larger groups, you can book the Annexe (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 bunk room has a good radiator and reading lights over each bed.

Eating - In the centre of the barn is a large Dining/Meeting Room with tables and chairs to seat 32.  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 Barn are the two Shower Rooms: in each of these are two showers, two W.C.'s, two washbasins.  The Showers are on a 2 x 20p. coin meter.  The new annexe extension has a 'wet room' with Washbasin, W.C. and Shower.

Bar-B-Q's! - Our guests seem to enjoy eating outdoors - even in December!  Just occasionally it rains so during 2005 we built a covered Bar-B-Q area which is well sheltered.  Some Picnic tables are provided.  There are three mobile Bar-B-Q's 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-q charcoal, so 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

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 is the living area with sofa bed, table and chairs and a kitchen area in one corner.  There is a video 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. 

The Cottage is ideal for two people.  Clean dogs and cats welcome!
The price includes all electricity and heating but logs, linen and DIY breakfast are charged as extras (see price list) but must be booked well in advance.

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Camping Paddock

At one end of our Sheep Field is a fenced off Camping Paddock.  We can take up to 5 Caravans for Camping & Caravan Club Members and any number of Tents.  There are 4 electric hook-ups to the Paddock and we have built a small fire pit for campers who just must have an open fire, but we have to say no to fires if there is any hint of a breeze!  Open fires are not allowed elsewhere on the Paddock but safe Bar-B-Q's 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, shower and Washing Up room with a Vanity Basin.  Shower on a 2 x 20p. coin meter.  In winter we can provide a small flat hard standing area with electric hook up.

FOR DETAILS ABOUT HORSE CAMPS PLEASE VISIT OUR LINKED WEBSITE:
www.equi-camp.co.uk

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Maps for Novice Walkers - Go Exploring!

We have several maps and directions of suggested routes from Coldblow, both long and not so long, so that you can go out exploring. If you get lost, telephone us and we'll send out a seach party!

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Bookings

Please email coldblowbookings@btinternet.com

or Telephone 05602 744 687

PRICE LIST - 2006/7

Barns & Cottage - two night bookings only at weekends, 3 on Bank Holidays, unless still vacant week before low season in which case a one night booking may be a possibility
(pppn = per person, per night)

You may book all Barns and Cottage together which will give you a total bed spaces of 70 but very early booking is essential for a group of this size!

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

Prices include electricity and heating which comes on twice daily.  All day heating supplement £10 per day.  Logs for Log Burner in Camping Barn £4 per bag. 

All showers in Barns are on coin meters (2 x 20p or 1 x 50p)

New Bunkhouse Barn Total of 41 Beds - 32 Beds (4 rooms x 8 beds) in Main Barn and further 9 beds in New Annexe (3 rooms: 3, 2 and 4 beds plus 'wet room')  - minimum 'sole use' group size of 24

Old Bunkhouse Barn 10 beds (2 rooms x 4 beds, 1 x 2 beds) groups only at weekends unless vacant week before

Camping Barn Sleeps 15 on mattresses provided on platform either side of barn

Self Catering Holiday Cottage Sleeps 2 on Ground Floor Double Sofa Bed or in 2 single beds on mezzanine floor

These prices do include electricity, radiator heating and logs for log burner.

Linen Hire (it is normal practice to bring your own sleeping bags for bunkhouses/camping barns) BUT if you really cannot we can hire: sheets, duvet, pillow covers and towel at £7.50 per person, per stay.  Please Note Carefully! Linen is NOT provided for Bunk Barns or Cottage without advance warning!  We require AT LEAST a week's notice and payment in advance £7.50 per person.  If you turn up late at night without sleeping bag we will charge an additional 'late fee' of £10 per person to unlock the cupboard and sort it all out.  Scouts Motto = Be Prepared!

CAMPING - Caravans/Campers/Tents

£10 per pitch inc. 2 people
£5 per additional adult
£3 children under age of 14

Electricity: £1.75 summer. Winter metered at cost.

Bookings

Please email coldblowbookings@btinternet.com

or Telephone 05602 744 687