Accommodation for Native Hands Woodland Courses
On-site Options
Courses take place in a secluded part of a 70 acre woodland, on a working family farm, Dernwood Farm, Sussex, TN21 0PN.
Amanda and her sister Emma (that’s them in the photo) run a super friendly camping / glamping operation at the farm venue from end of April – 25 Sept*, plus they have an on-site cafe and farm shop. They’ve also both been on courses with me over the years, making various baskets and pots.
Wild Camping: there’s a big field surrounded by woods, with loos/showers at one end. You can have a fire (wood available at the farm shop), and no cars are allowed on the camping field which makes it nice and peaceful (trolleys are available at the car park to take your stuff to the field; it’s a 12 min walk). You can book two nights (or more) camping via their website. If you want to camp for only one night, Native Hands has a special arrangement whereby you can book that for £12 per person by contacting Amanda.
Glamping: the venue also has a cabin, a wagon, a shepherd’s hut, bell tents, a large safari tent. You’ll find them listed on the venue’s website. Some of the features include: woodfired hot tubs, outdoor showers, outdoor pizza oven… They’re all very popular and book up quickly so I recommend getting onto that asap to avoid disappointment.
Vans / campervans: the venue isn’t set up for people bringing and staying in vans, but Horam Manor Park is a 5minute drive away and has pitches all year round.
Please note that the one-night booking arrangement is only for camping, not for glamping at the farm. The cost of camping/glamping on-site is not inculded in the cost of a Native Hands course.
The farm will always make camping space available for people coming on my courses during the camping season*, so if their website shows camping as full, please contact Amanda at the venue to arrange.
* for courses in April and late Sept/October (when the venue is closed to camping), see below for off-site accommodation options.
Off-site Options
For places to stay in the area (eg B&B, self catering etc), booking.com has listings for places around Waldron, Chiddingly, East Hoathly (nearest villages). The towns of Heathfield and Lewes are both about 20 mins drive form the course venue. You could also have a look on airbnb.
Granary Cottages (walking distance from the course venue), Haymakers Farm, Firdove Studio (search for those two on trip advisor), Stream Farm and Barnfield Farm B&B are all local. I’ve not stayed at any of these myself, but they’ve been recommended.
Budget options are Travel Lodge at either Lewes or Hailsham.
There are quite a few other local campsites nearby.
For vans / campervans: Horam Country Manor Park (5 min drive away) has pitches all year round.
Map link of the area.
The venue is one hour from both London and Gatwick. The nearest train staion is lewes, a 20 minute taxi ride away. You’ll find more travel info here.
While You’re in Sussex
This part of the country is full of wonderful landscapes and cultural hotspots.
Map link of the area.
Useful links:
visitlewes
visitengland/east-sussex
Tripadvisor