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Biblins Youth Campsite – Terms and Condition
Biblins Youth Campsite is owned by the Forestry Commission and managed by Woodcraft Folk to benefit children and young people. Woodcraft Folk aims to:
- Support more children and young people to enjoy residential experiences at Biblins
- Provide appropriate information to group leaders to ensure children and young people have a safe stay at Biblins
Who can stay on site?
Biblins provides a unique environment for children and young people, as such only schools and recognised children and youth groups can use the site during the Herefordshire Summer Term dates. Recognised children and young groups include uniformed youth groups, sports groups and any stator or voluntary group that provides formal or informal learning to those under the age of 25 years.
Other community groups are welcome to book the site at all other times. Individual and family bookings will not be accepted.
How to book?
All groups need to complete a booking form which can be downloaded at www.biblins.org.uk
Booking forms can be returned by post or email:
Biblins Youth Campsite
The Doward
Whitchurch
Herefordshire
HR9 6DX
Booking confirmation
On receipt of a booking form the group leader will be sent a booking confirmation which will clarify expected numbers and pitch location.
Pitch location is subject to change in response to conditions on site. If we amend your allocated pitch we will inform you as soon as amendments are made.
Charges
Woodcraft Folk attempts to keep all prices low to ensure that Biblins remains an affordable location for all groups.
2018 charges include:
- Camping guests – £4 per night per person
- The Burrow – £100 per night for up to 19 guests
- Bunkhouse kitchen & dining room only – £50 per day
- Herf’s Barn – £25 per day
- Bathrooms – Free of charge
- Firewood – £10 per night
- Canoe launch – £2 per boat
- Additional parking permits* – £5
Camping equipment can also be hired including tents, mess tents. For more details please contact biblins@woodcraft.org.uk
- Expected arrival times = after 2pm
- Expected departure times = Before noon
Alternative arrival times can be agreed especially to support larger groups to set up and take down camp equipment, please enquire although note that there may be additional fees if timings prevent us renting pitches to others.
Day visitors
Day visitors are welcome on site. Any group expecting day visitors should inform the on-site warden in advance.
A charge will not be made to anyone making deliveries to site or dropping off children and young people.
A day visitor charge will be made for any group participating in activities on site whether or not they are joining a resident group or not. Price on application, but will be based on the space required on site for the activity.
All day visitors need to leave site by 9pm.
Exclusive use
Exclusive use of the site can be arranged for a minimum fee of £1,500 per night.
Payment
Invoices will be issued for deposit, final payment and any additional fees. We would prefer invoices to be paid by BACS transfer but do accept cheques made payable to Woodcraft Folk.
Once a booking has been confirmed we will issue group leaders an invoice for a deposit.
- For all bookings with a value of less than £100 we will issue one invoice for the total value of the visit
- For all bookings with a value of between £100 – £200 we will issue one invoice for a £50 deposit
- For all bookings with a value of more than £200 we will issue one invoice for a £100 deposit
Payment of deposit invoices will need to be paid within 30 days of issue to finalise bookings.
Final payment invoices will be issued 2 weeks prior to your stay. For those groups who incur additional costs (increased numbers, fire wood, hire of equipment) we will issue an additional invoice following your visit.
Internet connection
There is no internet connection on site.
Telephone and mobile signal
An emergency phone is available on site for use by groups which is located on the exterior of the wardens cabin.
Please note that there is not sufficient mobile phone signal on site to make calls. Network signal is available at the King Arthur’s Cave car park at the top of the hill.
Litter and waste
All groups are responsible for their own waste and we ask all guests to leave the site as they found it.
Bins are provided for recycling and general waste.
At Biblins you can recycle *enter items once waste contract information is confirmed.
Cleaning during your stay
Woodcraft Folk believes in co-operation and expects all guests to look after the site during their stay.
This includes:
- Mopping out the shower after you have used it ready for the next guest
- Picking up your litter
- Placing waste in the bins provided (this should be done regularly to prevent animals being attracted to food waste)
- Placing tools in secure boxes
Groups should leave the site as they found it, placing all litter in the bins provided and ensuring they take all equipment home with them.
Damages
Biblins and Woodcraft Folk are not responsible for damages to individuals or their property whilst on site. Please take precautions to ensure your equipment is safe and secure – as you would in any public location.
Accidents happen and things will get damaged and broken – only damage caused by misuse or deliberate intent will be charged to visiting groups. All damages should be reported to the on-site warden so that they may be rectified as soon as possible.
For those guests staying in the Burrow and the Bunkhouse they will be charged the replacement cost for any damage to catering equipment.
Firewood
Groups are welcome to have open fires in the pits and stoves provided. Fire wood is available alongside the warden’s cabin. Please only take what you need and return any wood that you do not burn.
Groups will be charged £10 per night for firewood.
Please do not forage for wood in the surrounding forest. The forest is a SSSI site and needs to be protected.
Quiet times
To respect other campers and our neighbours we ask that all groups be quiet between 10pm and 7am.
No amplified music at any time.
The on-site warden will approach any groups who are being discourteous.
Canoe launch
The Biblins canoe launch is available for use by prior arrangement. All groups using the canoe launch should be under the supervision of a qualified instructor. If you need local recommendations of centre staff are more than willing to advise.
Individuals using the canoe launch will be charged £2 per boat to enable us to maintain access to the River Wye.
Climbing on the crag
Climbing on the crag behind the eastern toilet block can be arranged. All groups should be accompanied by a qualified instructor who must make their own assessment as to the safety of the crag and suitability for the group using it.
Individuals are not permitted to access the crag without a qualified instructor – access will remain locked and gated.
Please speak to Centre staff when making your booking.
Access to the site
The road access to Biblins is narrow and winding, please drive with care. The roads are suitable for a minibus. The final descent to Biblins is along a Forestry Commission maintenance road – please drive along here with extreme caution looking out for walkers, wildlife and forestry vehicles.
The road barrier will be closed between 10pm and 8am. There is to be no vehicular movement on site between those hours.
Coach access can be arranged on the Monmouthshire side of the river.
Parking on site
Biblins encourages lift sharing to reduce traffic on site. All guests will be issued a number of parking permits, 1 for every 4 guests. Additional permits can be purchased in advance.
Groups are encouraged to park alongside their pitch and to travel at no more than 10 mile an hour whilst on site or the approach road. Please be vigilant of walkers and wildlife.
There is also an overflow carpark at the entrance of the site and at busy times we will ask guests to use this instead of issuing additional parking permits.
When a yellow weather warning is in place for snow and ice we ask that all vehicles are parked at the top King Arthur’s Cave car park to prevent vehicles being stranded on site.
BBQs and cooking on site
Groups are welcome to BBQ on site and should take appropriate fire safety precautions. All BBQs should be raised off the ground. A number of bricks are available at the warden’s cabin to support you to do this.
Groups can hire the Bunkhouse kitchen which comes with an oven, fridge and a range of pots and pans. Groups can also hire the Burrow which too now comes with everything you need to cater for 20 guests.
Smoking
There is no smoking on site. This includes all cigarettes, cigars, pipes and e-cigarettes.
A designated smoking area can be found just off site in the Burrow car park.
Drugs, alcohol and intoxicating substances
Biblins will adopt and follow Woodcraft Folk’s drug and alcohol policy. Please see http://woodcraft.org.uk/resources/drugs-alcohol-tobacco-and-intoxicating-substances-policy
Dogs
Only registered assistance dogs will be allowed to camp or stay in any of the buildings at Biblins.
Along the public footpath you will find dog walkers – all dogs should be kept on a lead and owners should pick up after their dogs. Please report any irresponsible dog owners to the on-site warden.
Essential equipment
All campers should bring everything they need for an enjoyable stay whether you are bivvying, staying in a tent or the Burrow you will need:
- Torch – there is no lighting on site
- Toilet roll
Safety on site
All group leaders are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the children and young people in their care whilst on site.
Things to be aware of:
- Close proximity of the River Wye
- Weather conditions
- A public footpath goes through the campsite
- Cliffs along the campsite edge and throughout the forest