Chilton
The Alkham Valley represents a beautiful, rural landscape of rolling hills, vast clear fields and ancient woodland in the Kent Downs, in this unmissable part of England! This is the ideal, peaceful and private environment to reconnect with nature, family and each other.
Our family life, development and education has always been closely connected to outdoor experiences. As children at Chilton, we would spend most of our free time out by the ponds, the banks of the little valley river, the magical trees of the arboretum, in the rolling hillside fields helping with baling in the blazing summer sun or in the ancient woods collecting kindle and logs for the fire.
Now, we would love to share this stimulating outdoor learning experience with you.
We aim to personalise and tailor your learning experience according to your individual or small group needs and wishes. to select from a range of themed, seasonal experiences inspired by the unique nature here in the ancient valley.
The programmes are accessible to all ranges of age groups from explorational nursery groups through to trips studying geography of the ancient river valley.
We offer story-telling about the ancient river valley and the settlers, who lived here over 2000 years ago. as learnt from archaeological finds of the Anglo-Saxon burial ground.
Walking the perimeter of Chilton Farm fields up to the ancient woodlands, you can learn about wildlife and the identity of local species of trees . We will offer engagement in wildlife conservation and management of the declining ancient woodland, by coppicing, nurturing saplings and planting new trees.
You can practice the ancient skills of archery, wooden axe throwing and will have the opportunity to immerse yourselves in traditional skills such as bushcraft, camp building and seasonal weaving of wattle and willow.
For culinary experiences, practice building and lighting a campfire for outdoor cooking or you can just relax and meditate under the trees in a woodland hammock.