Polcoombe Practicals

We care about both your safety and your comfort.

With this in mind, we remind you that Polcoombe is, by its very nature, a wild environment.

Whilst we will always carefully brief you, either before your arrival or in person, on-site, there’s a few things you need to be aware of before you come…

• Our directions take you to a small parking area at the entrance to the land.  Here you’ll also find a pleasant resting area by the stream, complete with a slate caveman table made from salvaged parts of the old bridge.  

• Our Base Camp is accessed on foot from the parking area via a flat track. It takes approximately 10-15 mins.

• The main track (from the parking area to base camp and beyond) runs alongside a stream. The track is rustic but is suitable for offroad wheelchairs and buggies, as well as sturdy trolleys.

• For overnight camps, heavy items will be collected and transported to the base camp for you on request.

• The terrain above the main track can be uneven and is steep in places and as such may not be suited to those with limited mobility.

• There are brambles, stinging nettles and poisonous native plants on site. We will point out any obvious examples on your arrival but, if in doubt about any such species, avoid contact and ask for confirmation.

• You will be in close quarters with plenty of trees, plants and creatures - including our insect friends. Please use a natural repellent if needed.

• If you suspect you have picked up a tick, please inform a Polcoombe Representative or your Event Leader as we have the appropriate tools to remove them safely.

• Please check with us before your arrival if you have any questions or concerns about accessibility.

• Our Base Camp comprises a rustic, outdoor kitchen, roundhouse and compost toilets with pump action sinks - all built with a desire to integrate the natural materials and beauty of the landscape at their heart.

• The wild kitchen is something to behold, stocked with plates, cups and cutlery. Please keep any food items tightly shut into the plastic storage boxes provided.

• There is a water bowser with uv treated drinking water on site. Wild water is provided for washing pots and people!

• Polcoombe would not be complete without a fireside. We have a hearth encircled by log stumps and rustic benches beside the kitchen, and a space to make a fire in our roundhouse, just up the bank.

• We provide bins and recycling points. Please respect the land - do not leave any litter behind, and recycle what you are able to.

• There are no showers on site. You are welcome to bathe in our stream, but please do not use any products as they can damage the natural balance of the wild waterways running through Polcoombe and beyond.

Suitable clothing for both the environment and the weather are really important for your comfort levels and safety.

Please make sure you look out for any communications from Polcoome and check the local weather forecast before leaving the house.

We want to help ensure that you (and your children) arrive with appropriate clothing.

Here’s our checklist:

• Long sleeved T-shirt or shirt

• Warm / fleecy top or jumper

• Long trousers

• Waterproof walking shoes / boots or wellington boots

• Walking socks / socks that stay up inside Wellington boots

• Waterproof coat (and trousers if you have them)

• Hat, gloves, scarf / sun hat

• Sunglasses

• Sea shoes (if planning to bathe in the stream)

• Thermals / base layers

• Warm coat / jacket

• Thick or fleecy pyjamas

• Thick or thermal bed socks

• Beanie hat to sleep in

• Short sleeved T-shirts (bare arms can get stung by nettles)

• Shorts (bare legs can be scratched and stung)

• Leggings (too thin to provide proper protection from brambles / nettles)

• Open toe sandals (you can stub your toe very easily)

• Sliders, flip flops / similar types of footwear (soles do not provide adequate grip or protection)

Whether you’re camping or not, bring layers!! It is better to be overprepared than not have what you need to be comfortable and protected from the elements.

Quick dry materials are your friend. Jeans and wooly jumpers might sound warm but if they get wet they will stay damp and cold for the duration of your visit.

You might consider bringing a few personal items, depending on your Event:

• Refillable water bottle

• Flask or reusable coffee cup for hot drinks

• Extra snacks and refreshments

• Binoculars

• Notebook and pen

• Personal medication

• Microfibre towel if you will be getting wet

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Rucksack to carry it all!

As above plus:

• Tent / hammock – unless sleeping in one of our bell tents

• Warm sleeping bag (and extra blankets)

• Sleeping mat (and pillow)

• Suitable clothing for all weather conditions

• Spare set of clothes

• Head torch and spare batteries

• Personal toiletries (natural / biodegradable products, where possible)

We’ll send you an emergency contact number in advance of your visit, which will be checked regularly for messages.

Information on Medication and First Aid can be found in our Terms & Conditions.