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Big Hat Bushcamp

Chertsey, Surrey, England
1 acre hosted by Bighatbushcamp ?.
Approachable bushcraft and wild camping in a woodland wilderness that's remarkably accessible from London

In these dizzyingly technological times, one can't help but feel we've all become... well... a little soft. Show a kid an iPad, they'll be yougoogling and myfacing before you can say 'angry-moshi-monster-birds'. But ask them to trap a squirrel with little more than a toothpick and pair of old stockings... (exasperated sigh). We jest of course. But so reliant on gadgets and gizmos have our littl'uns become, we feel it's about time we got them reacquainted with making dens and getting muddy. So if, like us, the only tweets you want to hear are strictly those of the avian kind, we think we've found the perfect spot.

Calling all budding bushmen and tiny Tarzans – Big Hat Bushcamp invites you to 'go native' and learn traditional survival skills, less than an hour from the capital. The brainchild of former British Army captain and all-round action man, Ian Brember, Big Hat Bushcamp offers family-orientated woodland bushcraft courses on a secluded woodland spot in north Surrey.

With an array of bespoke courses (ranging from three hours to full weekends) on offer, Big Hat Bushcamp is both a fun and educational way to learn bushcraft from leading all-terrain experts. Campers of all ages are invited to invoke their inner Ray Mears, trying their hand at archery, orienteering, foraging, wilderness first-aid and much more. It’s all done in a family-friendly, approachable way – ideal for children who want to be explorers but parents who want to stay comfortable and not end the day eating live worms or drinking water out of old socks.

For an authentic castaway experience, one of the real highlights is always building your own shelter among the trees. Constructed by your own two hands, it’s the perfect spot to relax in the evening while tucking into your very own baked bread and yummy campfire food, cooked on the 'matchless' fire you've lit yourself. Grrr!!! You don’t have to sleep in the shelter (though one or two visitors have), instead you can bring your own tent, borrow one of the family tents on site, or use the camp’s tarps and hammocks to build a weather-proof ‘basha’ for the night. Larger groups can also sleep in the main, wood-fire heated safari tent at the centre of the site.

The setting, too, lends itself to the sort of activities on offer. The thick ferny woods feel like a rather British jungle, belying the fact that you’re less than a mile from the M25. A convenient outcome is that, when the outside world beckons, there’s still historic Runnymede and Windsor just down the road and no shortage of places off site to visit. Yet, when you want to stay hidden you can simply kick back among the trees and enjoy your newfound skillset. And when you're toasting your umpteenth marshmallow over the flickering flames and toying with your handmade commemorative survival bracelets, you'll be glad you heeded the call of the wild.

Not currently accepting bookings on Hipcamp
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Location
Chertsey, Surrey, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Bighatbushcamp ?.Joined in October 2013
From the host
At Big Hat Bushcamp we believe that family camping is more about stringing up your hammocks between some trees and cooking your dinner over an open fire, than parking up in the corner of a field and heating beans over a gas stove. We teach bushcraft and wilderness camping skills to kids and parents, such as shelter building, matchless fire lighting and campfire cooking, to start out kids early on a life spent outdoors - but outdoors does not have to be synonymous with roughing it. There's nothing rough about a toasty warm fire, with freshly baked bread and a hearty campfire meal. We believe in the philosophy "give a family a tent and they'll be happy for a weekend - teach them to camp and they'll be happy every weekend - and very well fed - and just generally cooler and better at stuff". However, there is one thing more important to us than getting kids outdoors and that's using nature and bushcraft to develop essential life skills, such as self confidence, team work, leadership and problem solving. The best way to show kids what they can achieve is to actually let them achieve it, so we give all our visitors to the bushcamp challenges that seem hard from the outset, but deliver great reward and an immense sense of accomplishment (and some of the most delicious food that will ever pass your lips). Family Bushcraft Weekends, open to all parent and child groups, take place on the last weekend of every month. Private family camping and day parties run most weekends, throughout the year and our kids' club runs Monday to Friday throughout all school holidays.
Nearby attractions

Historic Runnymede (01784 432891), location of the signing of the Magna Carta, is a great location for a picnic on its sunny willow-fringed riverbank. The hauntingly beautiful Air Force Memorial is also well worth a visit, not least for the expansive views over the capital. The Great Cockcrow Railway (01932 565474) is a cute miniature railway which has been in existence since 1946. For something more high-octane, Thorpe Park (0843 557 3627) and Legoland (0871 222 2001) are both within easy reach.

Food and drink

It's all about the campfire cooking here. Ingredients and instruction are included in the course price. Try your hand at dutch oven mac and cheese, griddle pancakes, stick bread, or campfire pizza. For quality local produce, the Hardwick Lane Farm Shop (01932 564930) is just across the road, while The Kingfisher (01932 579811) in Chertsey serves up pub grub favourites

Video
https://www.youtube.com/embed/DDc59RdY9hs

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