Paxwood Campsite
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About Us
Paxwood is a holiday, campsite and outdoor activity centre owned and run by the 4 Girlguiding Kent Counties.
It is situated on a large wooded, rural site in Wilmington, Kent and is available for camps, residential stays as well as weekday, evening and weekend activities.
Paxwood Hall and Paxwood House are both fully equipped for a residential stay.
There is an on-site male Warden
It is situated on a large wooded, rural site in Wilmington, Kent and is available for camps, residential stays as well as weekday, evening and weekend activities.
Paxwood Hall and Paxwood House are both fully equipped for a residential stay.
There is an on-site male Warden
Paxwood House
Total accommodation is for 26 people, comprising:
- Ground floor:
- Entrance lobby with coat hooks and shoe racks
- Main hall with doors to an outside terrace with seats, tables and patio umbrellas and a grassy play area
- Craft room with tables, stools and storage areas
- Large fully equipped kitchen with:
- Large gas cooker
- Tall freezer
- Tall larder fridge
- Plenty of cupboard and shelving space for storage
- First aid room with hand washing sink
- Fully accessible suite which sleeps two in single beds with en-suite facilities.
- 1st floor:
- Two en-suite dormitories with bunk beds each sleeping 10
Paxwood Hall
Paxwood Hall accommodates 39 people and consists of:
- Ground floor:
- Entrance lobby with coat hooks and shoe racks
- Accessible toilet and shower
- Large hall with doors to covered veranda and a grassy play area
- Leaders’ room for 7 with 1 set of bunk beds, 5 single beds and en-suite bathroom
- Bathroom with showers & toilets
- kitchen with:
- large gas cooker
- 3 fridges
- 2 freezers
- 1st floor:
- Two dormitories with bunk beds which sleep 8 each
- One large dormitory with bunk beds which sleeps 16
- A quiet room with settees and bean bags
- First aid room and separate toilet opposite
Woodlands & Orchard Campsites
Woodlands is the main campsite and is fully equipped for camps including traditional ridge patrol tents, lightweight patrol tents, marquees and a large event shelter , or you may prefer to bring your own equipment.
Woodlands has its own campfire circle.
There are 3 flushing toilets, 2 showers, hand basins, H&C water, light & heating.
Sylvia’s, a 30 x 12 ft dry shelter has electricity, fridge/freezer, kettle and microwave, plus tables and benches.
Orchards Campsite
Orchards site is only suitable for a small or overnight camp as it has the zipline along one side and Nina's activity hut at one end.
It has 2 flushing toilets, hand basin, light & H&C water.
A campfire circle which is shared with Paxwood House.
Orchards can be booked with Nina's for evening activities.
For more photos please check the gallery.
AVAILABILITY
Jam Roll
The ‘Jam Roll’ caravan was donated by Countess Gravina, she was a life-long member of the Guides and was District Commissioner for Malling and Headcorn and Division Commissioner for Weald. Apart from raising her three children in the caravan, she led mountaineering expeditions and in 1962 led a four-woman team to climb three un-climbed peaks in the Himalayas. Her husband, Count Gravina was a conductor and the great-grandson of Liszt.
The Countess died in 1990 aged 85 and a receiver of the Girl Guide Beaver Award.
The original caravan was cream and white inside and green on the outside but was repainted by Sevenoaks Division Guides to the colours we have today, yellow, green and red. It was named Jam Roll after the nick-name given to the Rolls-Royce that was presented to Lord Baden Powell at the Scout Jamboree in 1928 – the Chief Guide, Olave Lady Baden-Powell, opened the renovated Paxwood in 1957 and was more than happy to have the name given to the caravan. She was also happy to have rooms in the house named after the names of their early homes; names such as Pax Hill, Pax Tu, Ewhurst and Mynthurst.
We would like to repair the flooring and replace any rotten beams and supports as well as move it onto a flat, stable base to preserve it for many years to come.
As well as renovating Jam roll, we would like to turn it into an activity room for the users of the campsite, (which includes local schools), with a display explaining the history and heritage of the campsite and Jam Roll.
This will take a while and we will keep you updated with the latest news and progress with Jam Roll's renovation.
If you would like to donate to the 'Save Jam Roll fund' please visit our Gofundme page
The Countess died in 1990 aged 85 and a receiver of the Girl Guide Beaver Award.
The original caravan was cream and white inside and green on the outside but was repainted by Sevenoaks Division Guides to the colours we have today, yellow, green and red. It was named Jam Roll after the nick-name given to the Rolls-Royce that was presented to Lord Baden Powell at the Scout Jamboree in 1928 – the Chief Guide, Olave Lady Baden-Powell, opened the renovated Paxwood in 1957 and was more than happy to have the name given to the caravan. She was also happy to have rooms in the house named after the names of their early homes; names such as Pax Hill, Pax Tu, Ewhurst and Mynthurst.
We would like to repair the flooring and replace any rotten beams and supports as well as move it onto a flat, stable base to preserve it for many years to come.
As well as renovating Jam roll, we would like to turn it into an activity room for the users of the campsite, (which includes local schools), with a display explaining the history and heritage of the campsite and Jam Roll.
This will take a while and we will keep you updated with the latest news and progress with Jam Roll's renovation.
If you would like to donate to the 'Save Jam Roll fund' please visit our Gofundme page
SITE UPDATES
- Autumn 2023: We are in the process of developing an orienteering course.
- Summer 2023: The wildlife pond is becoming established and there is a dipping platform for the girls to look at and enjoy the wildlife, equipment can be booked with the warden 1st May-30th September.
- Summer 2023: There is a planned observation walk, with questions, of approx 2 miles from the site around the local area. Question sheets (with answers and map route) in Nina's.
- Spring 2023: Following a donation from the charity www.carlyhearttrust.com we now have a defibrillator on site, it is under the House canopy.
- Spring 2023: new campfire circle using the firepit donated by Girlguiding Kent West after the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at Paxwood.
Opening of Nina’s
The 19th July 2021 was a beautiful summer evening for the opening ceremony of our new activity hut, Nina’s.
The event was attended by members of the Wates family who donated the site to Girlguiding as well as members from Kent and surrounding Guiding Counties. The evening was opened by our President, Anita Laird, who is a granddaughter of the donor and she gave some background to the history of how Paxwood became part of Girlguiding.
This hut came from Cudham campsite where it had been called the Goddington Hut and then Orchid Lodge and Jen Wilkins from GLK explained the history of the hut which would be lost to Girlguiding if it wasn't moved from Cudham.
With determination, the generosity of our members and the patience and support of a local builder, Barry Williams, the hut was dismantled, transported and reassembled on a previously laid concrete base in just 2 months from planning to completion!
The hut is named Nina’s after the Mum of a very generous benefactor who enabled the project to go ahead so quickly so she was asked to unveil the commemorative plaque to close our ceremony.
On site acivities
There is a small shop on site for souvenirs and pocket money purchases.
Why not have an evening at Paxwood when your girls can use the activities on site, do some outdoor cooking, have a campfire at one of our 4 campfire circles and enjoy being outside in a lovely naturally wooded area.
You can make a base in Sylvia’s on Woodlands which has portable lanterns and some basic cooking equipment, tables and benches, or in Nina’s.
| Outdoor Activities | |
| Geocaching on site | Campfire |
| Fitness trail / circular swing / slide | Orienteering |
| Trampoline | Outdoor cooking |
| Zip line | Pond dipping (1st May-30th September) |
| Play the giant xylophone | Wildlife watching (Badgers / Owls / Bats) |
| Bushcraft equipment | Nature trail around site (1.5-2hours – can be shortened) |
Indoor Activities |
| Pyrography pens and wooden shapes |
| Parachutes |
| Musical instruments |
| Craft |
| Cooking |
| Table tennis |
| Games Equipment | ||
| Skipping ropes | Football goals | Space hoppers |
| Bat and Ball sets | Soft, hard, small and large balls | Hockey |
| Badminton set | Hula hoops | Rounders |
| Cricket set | Giant draughts | Giant pick up sticks |
| Netball posts | Giant Jenga | Hopscotch |
| Mini tennis set | ||
Nina's activity hut
| Nina’s Activity Hut |
| All these activities are fully resourced and free to use when booking Nina’s for nature activities as a stand-alone booking or as part of the 4 hour slot allocated to residential bookings. Each activity is in a labelled tray with equipment, ID guides, leaders’ info sheet and girl activity sheets. |
| Nature themed word searches / games / quizzes / puzzles |
| Scavenger hunts |
| Twilight trails |
| RSPB funded seasonal nature activities, nature trail & Brilliant Birds activity box |
Paxwood Away Day
All the site activities and facilities can be used (subject to sharing with other groups on site), do some UMAs, Skills Builders, badges, cooking, crafts or just enjoy being outdoors.
Costings:
Paxwood Away Day in House or Hall £10 per head including gas and electricity.
Now the full residential bookings are starting again, we can only do this mid-week in school holidays.
To Book:
- Contact Rosemary, booking secretary, 01322 222514 or for more details contact us at paxwood1@btinternet.com
- Give your preferred location , House or Hall, and date
- We will reply with guidelines for your visit and the site risk assessment
Children's Parties
To hire Paxwood for children's birthday parties you will need to have a contact or be members of Girlguiding.
The facilities available will be the Hall main room, kitchen and bathroom. Maximum 20 children and 8 adults.
Availability will be Monday-Thursday in term time 2-5 pm or 5-8 pm with half an hour either side to set up and pack away; school holidays by negotiation depending on residential bookings.
Hirers will need to sign a contract of hire.
| Hire costs | |
| To secure the booking, the following must be paid in full: | |
| Non-refundable deposit | £25 |
| Balance of hire | £25 |
| Admin, cleaning, opening and closing | £20 |
| Damage liability fee | £50 |
| Total payment for event | £120 |
| On satisfactory completion of event, £50 for damage liability will be refunded | |
If interested in using the hall for a party or indeed any other activity which might fit with our ethos, please contact us for further information and discussion.
paxwood1@btinternet.com
Bookings
To find out more information on the different sites, availability and fees please send an email to paxwood1@btinternet.com and include your name, unit and county.
Booking fees do not include utility charges, these will be added on after meters have been read at the end of the event. Our utility fees are dependent on the current energy suppliers contract and you only pay for what you use during the hire. Please inquire if you would like to know approx. usage costs from previous groups to help you budget.
Weekend bookings run from Friday PM to Sunday PM.
Every residential booking includes use of all on-site activities including 4 hours use of Nina’s activity – time slot must be booked with the Warden.
Fees may be increased each year, notice will be given if your booking may be affected.
How to Book
You can view and download information on the campsite such as risk assessments and maps on our Documentation page.
Cancellations
The deposit in non-refundable. If a booking is cancelled your deposit will be returned to you if the property is re-let.
If a booking is cancelled less than 10 weeks prior to the event, the minimum charge of £200 per night booked for the Hall and £120 per night booked for the House will be required. This is not payable if the period is re-let.
Booking fees do not include utility charges, these will be added on after meters have been read at the end of the event. Our utility fees are dependent on the current energy suppliers contract and you only pay for what you use during the hire. Please inquire if you would like to know approx. usage costs from previous groups to help you budget.
Weekend bookings run from Friday PM to Sunday PM.
Every residential booking includes use of all on-site activities including 4 hours use of Nina’s activity – time slot must be booked with the Warden.
Fees may be increased each year, notice will be given if your booking may be affected.
| Residential Fees | ||||
| Site | Cost per head per night | Minimum charge per night | Day visitors per day | Deposit required |
| Paxwood House | £10 | £120 (12 people) £240 for weekend | £6 | £50 (2 Nights) £80 (3+ Nights) |
| Paxwood Hall | £10 | £200 (20 people) £400 for weekend | £6 | £50 (2 Nights) £80 (3+ Nights) |
| Woodlands Campsite | Equipped - £5.50 Unequipped - £3.50 | N/A | N/A | £20 |
| Orchards Campsite | Equipped - £4 Unequipped - £2.50 | N/A | N/A | £20 |
| Casual Fees | |||
| Site | Whole day cost Per head | Half day or Evening Per head cost | Deposit required |
| Nina’s activity hut on Orchards site & campfire circle | £5 | £3 or £10 per hour (Maximum 30 people, excl activities) | N/A |
| Sylvias on Woodlands campsite | £5 | £3 | N/A |
| Hall Ground floor | £6 (Minimum charge £120) | £3 | N/A |
| House Ground floor | £6 (Minimum charge £75) | £3 | N/A |
| House/ Hall Ground floor Away Day 8am-8pm | £10 (Including utilities) | N/A | N/A |
How to Book
You can view and download information on the campsite such as risk assessments and maps on our Documentation page.
Cancellations
The deposit in non-refundable. If a booking is cancelled your deposit will be returned to you if the property is re-let.
If a booking is cancelled less than 10 weeks prior to the event, the minimum charge of £200 per night booked for the Hall and £120 per night booked for the House will be required. This is not payable if the period is re-let.
