Bermondsey Huts

A two-acre camping site in the South Eastern corner of Worth Abbey Estate set within woodlands.

“Camping for softies” and an economic holiday in the countryside for large families, parish groups, special needs or friends. Scouts and Guides use the campsite frequently (N.B. Bermondsey Huts is an approved campsite with Girlguiding UK)

Thanks to the generosity and volunteer efforts of just a few people, the Bermondsey Huts have been cleaned, refurbished and painted. So come and enjoy this wonderful resource now. Up to 10 can sleep on mattresses in the small hut; up to eighty can camp on the two acres of grass and woodland. Water, drainage, gas, kitchen, two showers, seven WCs, rain-proof Day Room and solar-powered lighting are all available.

Open May to October.
£4 per person per night.
non-returnable deposit of £50

A brief introduction to the Huts is availble for download HERE (1.6Mb pdf).

In accordance with the great respect for created things in the famous Rule of St Benedict (480-540), the monks of Worth like to share and make available to others the estate on which they live. Since the 1930's the monks have made the "Bermondsey Huts" available to groups of people, particularly children, who would benefit from a cheap holiday in the countryside. They were originally for parishes in South London, but now for any group that has a reasonable need, particularly people with learning difficulties and the physically challenged.

Many groups, companies and individuals have contributed time and material to the development and maintenance of the Huts for those who use them. Users are asked to respect their generosity and play their own part in the project by taking extra special care of the Huts and their fixtures and fittings and, perhaps, contributing to them for the benefit of other users.

Ecology

Interest in the environment in which we live and the ecological systems that sustain it has been growing in recent years. St Benedict taught his monks to respect such things nearly 1500 years ago. The Huts, made available by today's Benedictine monks, provide an excellent opportunity for groups to come to an awareness of these important things. All that is needed is a sensitivity and respect for the simple, yet marvelous things of nature - the trees, the grass, the animals, the birds, the sunlight and the wind - all of which are very easily accessible at the Bermondsey Huts.

Here is some advice and information that may be useful when using the Huts:

A - Z ADVICE CONCERNING THE USE OF BERMONDSEY HUTS

Accounts
must be settled with the Warden before departure. Cheques should be made payable to "Worth Abbey Projects Ltd". A deposit of £40 should have been paid at the time of booking. This is returnable only in the case of a cancellation when no other bookings have had to be refused.

Address
on any incoming mail must include the following details if it is to reach the camp member.:
.....(Name of Person)
.....(Name of Group
Bermondsey Huts
Worth Abbey
Turners Hill
CRAWLEY
West Sussex RH10 4SB

Arrival.
Call at St Bruno’s House (see map) to meet the Warden, who will show you the Huts and hand over the keys. Please telephone beforehand to arrange a convenient time. See Checklist, below.

Bedding.
There are 8 mattresses supplied but all other bedding (pillows, blankets, sleeping bags) must be supplied by the user. (see also 'Mattresses')

Camp Fires
are allowed only with the express permission of the Warden and then only on the designated site. Great care must be taken because of the danger of fire in woodland (see 'Fires'). In any case no fuel can be used without permission. See 'Firewood'

Caravans
may be parked on the site, but there is a legal limit of only one at a time.

Car parking
is allowed on the space behind and to the side of the Huts. Do not leave tyre tracks across the main camping area or create any obstruction to the gates and forestry tracks through the site.

Cleaning
always needs to be done by someone else! The costs have been kept as low as possible by making use of generous voluntary labour to keep the Huts maintained and clean. Please play your part by leaving the Huts even cleaner than you found them when you arrived. This is particularly true of the kitchen and its equipment. Keep the cooker, fridge, cupboards and cutlery spotless, or see 'Medical'!

Clearing up
at the end of your stay includes not only cleaning and tidying the inside of the huts (see 'Cleaning') but also the camping area. Please collect any objects left lying around and which may cause injury should anyone trip over them when the grass grows to cover them. Any wood should be in one pile near the fire area, any stones or bricks should be collected together as well. Of course, there will be no glass, tins, or rubbish except in plastic rubbish sacks which you will dispose of. See Checklist, below.

Contributions
of time, money, equipment and effort have made the Huts what they are. Improvements can only come from further donations, either financially or in kind. So please feel free to leave behind anything for subsequent campers.

Cooker controls
To turn on the gas to the burners, the Gas Taps have to be PRESSED IN AND TURNED ANTICLOCKWISE. The BLACK part of the symbols indicate front or back burners. The oven thermostat control is on the front facia panel, but the flame failure button and the spark igniter button are both situated below the oven compartment, and the oven doors must be opened for access. To light the oven, turn the thermostat to Mark 9 and open the oven door. While pushing in the RED flame failure button (to allow gas to flow), press the GREY button to provide a spark at the burner. With the burner flame established maintain pressure on the RED button for a further 20 seconds then release and check that the burner stays alight. To extinguish the burner, turn the thermostat knob to OFF. Please keep the cooker clean with soapy water and 'Brillo' pads. Before removing any parts, notice carefully how they are arranged (particularly the top burners) and replace them in the same positions after cleaning. After washing the burners, shake them well to remove any water deposits. In the Oven, the enamelled base plate lifts out and the two drip trays slide out from the front.

Cooking
in the kitchen is with a large propane gas cooker, which should be looked after very carefully (see “Cooker controls” ). Pots, pans, cutlery and crockery are available in limited quantities; it is best to bring with you what you will need. If what you need isn't there, why not donate one to the Huts for the next people too?

Country Code
from the Countryside Commission, consists of ten reminders about how best to behave in the countryside, based on common sense and common failings. All users of the Huts should remember the code which is printed at the end of this booklet, and displayed on a poster in the Huts.

Disabled people
are welcome to use the Huts. Special provision has been made for wheelchair users in the ablution block; there is a WC with special handles and plenty of space, and the showers have seats and handles.

Emergencies
can happen at any time. Please plan for them. There is no telephone at the huts, bring your own mobile.

Equipment
cannot be stored for groups, before or after their stay. In any case, see "Security".

Fences
mark important boundaries. You are free to use the two acres of ground around the Huts for any reasonable activity (see 'Games' and 'Fire'), but the fence to the south (even though it has fallen over) marks the boundary with our neighbour, Paddockhurst Estates, which employs Game Keepers who have dogs and carry guns (see Game Keepers'). Do not venture over this fence or throw any litter. If you have to retrieve a stray ball, do so carefully, with as little damage to the trees and undergrowth (see 'Forestry') as possible. The other fences should be respected; to the West (downhill) there are woods through which you can walk on the designated paths (see 'Nature Trail'); to the North is a field which our farmer uses for crops which should not be disturbed or damaged.

Fires
are an ever present danger for wooden huts, tents, dry grass and trees. Do not take any risks, particularly in the spring and early summer when the risk of forest fires is at its height. Please respect the 'No Smoking' rule in the Huts themselves, and be very vigilant with any naked flame in and around the Huts. Lives and expensive material can be lost very quickly. See 'Camp Fires'.

Firewood
may be available on the site. If you know you will want large amounts, and have permission for camp fires (see 'Camp Fires'), it is probably best to order a load in advance; either from the local saw mills, or from Worth Abbey Forestry Department through the Warden. This is extra to the nightly charge, but a few pounds (cost depends on availability) can buy a large supply of wood if ordered sufficiently well in advance. Never take any forestry timber stacked inside the gate; it is awaiting collection and sale. Never take any branches from under the trees in the surrounding woods, they are there to help the remaining trees to grow.

Forestry
surrounds the Huts for many miles. It is important to make the members of the group realise that forestry trees are grown as a crop, and are therefore each worth a surprising amount of money. Any damage done to trees, and traceable to members of the group, will be charged.

Game Keepers
have a right to investigate any disturbance of the birds under their care. They are generally friendly and helpful (despite dog and gun) if you keep to the camping area, roads and certain paths; but remember their job also includes the shooting of vermin!

Games
must be confined to the camping area. Please ask the Warden about anything requiring access to woodland or fields.

Gas
is permanently connected for cooking and hot water. The pilot lights of the water heaters should be off when you arrive. To ignite the pilot lights of the water heaters, turn the gas control knob from the OFF (dot) position, through the ON (flame sign) and slowly towards the IGNITION (spark sign). Repeat as necessary until the pilot light is on. Hold for about 20 seconds and then turn back to the ON (flame) position. When the hot water taps are turned, the main burners should ignite. The other knob is for water temperature selection; it is best left towards the cooler end. Please report promptly any problems with gas equipment. On departure, please turn off all pilot lights.

Gates
must be kept clear for access at all times. In your own interests, the gate to the road should normally be kept closed and locked unless the Forester requests otherwise. Please do not climb on it, but only over the fence near it.

Glass Bottles
should never be left around the camp, even on a rubbish pile. They are a danger to feet and may cause a fire in the dry grass or woods at certain times of the year.

Heating
There isn't any. Keep the warm air in by keeping the doors closed in the cool of the evening.

Hut contents
have been contributed by past users and generous benefactors. Please replace anything lost or damaged or add to them for the benefit of future users if you see that something is needed.

Inspections
will be carried out by the Warden occasionally, to help you and to check on the safety of everyone present.

Insurance
covers accidental fire and Public Liability. Group Leaders using the Huts are strongly recommended to take out an insurance to protect themselves from claims arising from negligence, personal accident and material loss. The Warden can supply details of a suitable policy designed for camping groups.

Keys
should be collected on arrival by arrangement with the Warden, usually from St Bruno’s House. One person, notified to the Warden, must be made responsible for the safe keeping of the keys and for keeping the Huts secure; see 'Security'. They should, of course be returned to the same place on departure.

Kitchen
has a large gas cooker, pots, pans, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils, a double sink with cold and instant hot water, a First Aid cabinet and storage cupboards. You will need to bring your own tea-towels, soap, etc. There is a small refrigerator (not a freezer) which runs on gas. Please keep them spotlessly clean and respect the normal rules of hygiene by separating cooked and uncooked meats.

Mail
for campers would be delivered to the Warden in the Monastery if it is correctly addressed (see 'Address'). The nearest Postbox is in the wall next to the 'exit' gate of the Abbey grounds.

Lighting
Because there is no mains electricity, a very sophisticated solar charged battery lighting system has been installed. Please be aware that battery capacity is limited, particularly if the sun is not shining to recharge the batteries, so please turn off lights that are not required.

Mattresses
should be protected and kept dry at all times. They are not to be used other than on the bunks or beds in the Huts.

Medical
assistance may be far away, but accidents will happen (See 'Emergencies'). There is a First Aid box available in the large Hut. For anything more serious, there is a ‘Minor Injuries Unit’ at Crawley Hospital. The nearest Casualty service is at Redhill or Haywards Heath. The nearest Doctor is in the village of Balcombe, about three miles away. Tel (0444) 811310.

Nature Trail
does not yet officially exist, but there are plenty of attractive paths through the adjoining woods. Please keep to the existing paths, do not wander over fields with crops or through the wooded areas. Deer roam freely through all Sussex woodland and can easily be seen by a quiet walker. See 'Wild Life'and 'Forestry'.

Notices
should be confined to one notice area, not indiscriminately on all the walls of the Huts.

Parking
see 'Cars' and 'Caravans'.

Pits
should not be dug on the camping site.

Police
based at East Grinstead, and the Turners Hill Village Policeman, know of the Huts and have been very helpful in the past when needed. Telephone: In an emergency always dial 999. If your call is a non-emergency dial 0845 60 70 999

Religion
Worth Abbey is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery which runs the local village parishes and has good relations with other denominations in the area. The Warden can supply times of services and addresses of ministers.

Rubbish
Campers must dispose of their own refuse. Please do not leave any on site for any length of time, or at the end of your stay.

Security
is a problem in remote camp sites like this one. Break-ins do occur. Camping equipment is very tempting to thieves. Make sure valuables are hidden and that the Huts are properly locked whenever you leave them unattended. Be careful of casual visitors.

Shops
are a long way away. Apart from the obvious shopping centres of Crawley, East Grinstead and Haywards Heath, there are smaller stores in Balcombe, Pound Hill, Ardingly and Turners Hill. See 'Supplies'. Early Closing Day is Wednesday in Turners Hill and Pound Hill shopping centre. There is a small store at the top of Pound Hill which is open much of Sunday. The Warden can supply a map showing where they are.

Showers
Two are available, refurbished in 2007, in the Ablution Block, each with instant hot water. They also have handles and seats to aid any disabled people who would like to use them.

Smoking
is not permitted within the Huts. Great care must be taken in the vicinity of the Huts and in any woodland. See 'Fire'.

Sunday
The main service at the Abbey Church is 9.30am. See also 'Religion' and website.

Supplies
can be obtained from Turners Hill Central Stores and other local shops (see Shops). Telephone 0342-715209.

Swimming Pool
The nearest one is K2 in Crawley.

Tea-towels
are not supplied.

Tents
are not provided.

The Open Cloister
welcomes enquiries about its many and varied activities based on a Christian Community life of prayer and service, shared with the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey.

Tidiness
is essential at all times, as on any camp site. See 'Clearing up'.

Timber
stacked near the site entrance or anywhere in or near the woods must never be disturbed, or the foresters will descend upon the camp in no uncertain terms. It is not safe to allow children to climb on stacked timber. See 'Firewood'.

Toilets
There are 6 WC.s provided, one of which is designed for wheelchair use, a large wash basin, and 7 hand-wash basins.

Torches
Please be aware of the danger of Fire if you are using Camping Gaz or similarly hot lamps; electric torches and lamps are much safer. A solar charged lighting system has been installed and is working well in 2007, so torches are not as essential as in the past, but still useful.

Transport
The nearest Rail Station is 'Three Bridges' on the London Victoria to Brighton and Horsham lines. There are buses to Turners Hill and Balcombe, about 2 miles from the Huts, every two hours or so.

Valuables
are your own responsibility. See 'Security' and 'Insurance'.

Warden
of the Huts is the person responsible for looking after the Huts for everyone who uses them and who might use them in the future. Please make his or her job as easy as possible by following these suggestions, and by caring for the Huts and other users.

Washing
is possible in one large sink, (for washing clothes and babies?) and 7 smaller hand-wash basins, in addition to the kitchen sinks.

Water
is supplied from the Abbey Water Tower. Please do not waste it: Although there is normally no shortage, occasionally there is not enough to go round for everyone. The main stop-cock is located in the cubicle containing the WC for wheelchair users. This should be turned off only in an emergency. Please leave it on for the next user.

Wild Life
is plentiful if you are quiet enough; including birds, rabbits, deer and (if you don't follow these suggestions) the Warden.

You
are welcome to find out more about Worth Abbey and The Open Cloister; and to bring other groups of people to make use of the facilities available at the Huts. Please give constructive suggestions to the Warden.

Zero
is the amount of cleaning and tidying that has to be done after you leave.

CHECKLISTS

Checklist before arrival

Make sure you have a firm booking and have paid the deposit.
Bring the address to the attention of members of the group.
Arrange a definite time with the Warden to collect the keys.
Arrange for food, washing equipment, towels, tea-towels, toilet paper and wet-weather occupations.

Checklist on arrival

Collect the key.
Check the pilot lights of gas water heaters are on.
Check the lights are working (don't waste the battery).
Clean the Huts thoroughly - particularly the Kitchen and Ablution Block.

Checklist on departure

Clean the Huts thoroughly - particularly the Kitchen and Ablution Block.
Clean cooker, oven, fridge.
Tidy all furniture.
Tidy up the games/camping area - remove ALL debris
Collect any rubbish into plastic sacks
Clean out rubbish bins.
DO NOT Turn off main stop-cock of water.
Turn off the pilot light of each gas water heater.
check that no gas or water is escaping anywhere.
check all lights are off.
Close all windows and doors,
Lock up carefully, including the gate.
Take all rubbish sacks away.
Return the Keys to the Warden, and pay any outstanding Accounts.

Country Code

There are five sections of The Countryside Code dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside. Follow the links below for more information.
Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs
Leave gates and property as you find them
Protect plants and animals and take your litter home
Keep dogs under close control
Consider other people

(Maps)