Booking & General Information : Contacts

Contacts

The Asheldham Centre

Contacts

Activities, Visits, Courses

Despite our Centre being remote, there is a lot to do - as long as you plan your programme. Youth have come from as far afield as Chernobyl, and Massachusetts, and spent a morning in Maldon visiting the museums, a night exercise with HUNTER Outdoor Training, and then the following day visited the power station, with some survival skills training in the afternoon.....but it's up to the leaders to plan well in advance.

Below is a list of the organisation and groups in the area who can enhance your stay. Maybe you want to use the Centre as a retreat - and do, deliberately, as little as possible! Your choice.

St Peter's Chapel...without doubt one of the gems of English history and certainly one of the earliest churches in the country, built in 654 by Cedd. This is located at Bradwell just 6 miles from Asheldham. It is a site visited by people from all over the world. Car park 400m west of chapel.

HUNTER

Outdoor Training

HUNTER Outdoor Training runs courses across the country, based here at Asheldham with offices and workshops in Leigh on Sea. Hunter will run courses from two hours to two weeks covering a vast array of outdoor expedition and survival activities starting at the most basic and progressing through stages until proficiency is reached with more advanced techniques. Other courses include guided day walks, a wide variety of night-navigation and/or scenario-based courses, management 'workshops', winter backpacking campcraft courses over 20 or 30 miles, first aid, leadership, and teamwork / problem solving courses. Many of Hunter's Iceland, Norwegian, and Sweden expeditions are planned and prepared here. See 'Links' for contact or huntertraining@hotmail.com

This organisation is a County Council facility which provides a complete range of watersports and some land-based activities. Sailing, sea kayaking, windsurfing, 'power-boating', archery, and highropes all contribute to a very good day's outdoor pursuits. This is one of six County residential activity centres run by Essex CC. Contact through 'Links' menu.

A religious and broadly Christian-based community located near St Peter's Chapel (and also in Dorset). It is very much a contemplative centre, but very aware of its environmental responsibilities being as it is, totally self sufficient and eco-friendly. Othona is a useful facility whether you need emergency help whilst on the marhses / sea wall or a friendly face - and coffee break whilst your group walk out across the Dengie. Othona is a residential centre. See 'Links'

MALDON

Maldon is a thriving market town steeped in history - going right back to the Dark Ages and Norse invasions. It is well worth a visit if your group has never explored an atmospheric port, historic centre, and market town. It also lends itself perfectly to KS4 Geography Fieldwork on settlements. See: tic@maldon.go.uk.

New Hall Vineyard. An excellent morning's visit! 01621 828343. See 'Links'

BRADWELL NUCLEAR POWER STATION

now under decommissioning

The Power Station as well as the Visitors' Centre has been closed by BNG but there are public footpaths along side the former power station - and you can see it some considerable distance away; thus you need to know what it is. The most important things for the local population is that it still employs a couple of hundred people, and it is now totally silent.... the 'hum' of the generators and reactors was a bit of noise pollution - and the light at night did nothing for our night-vision on night trekking exercises!!! The beach to the north of the power station is great to amble along, the access roads have been built to gain access to the plant so they are good for large vehicle - though 'fast' so be prepared if you have groups along these.

Hanningfield Reserve and Reservoir

Walks, bird hides, shop, refreshments, and regular courses for the public

(some led by Asheldham's Senior Manager)

www.essexwt.org.uk/centres/Hanningfield.htm

Mangapps Farm, Southmister Rd Burnham on Crouch

01621 784898.

Steam engines, vintage rolling stock, historic buildings and a huge collection of memorabilia. Well worth a morning's visit.

Park Drive Maldon CM9 5UR

01621 851898

The local leisure centre with an excellent pool provision, sports, gym, archery, and games. See 'Links'

Hyde Hall

Hyde Hall near Rettendon - approximately 30 minutes drive from Asheldham is over 300 acres and a haven of solitude and horticulural excellence. If you group is enthused about gardens, this should not be missed. See: 'Links'

Marsh Farm Country Park is owned and managed Essex County Council. It provides an enjoyable and educational day out for all the family.

Marsh Farm is a working farm where children can get close to farm animals and play safely in the adventure play areas. There is also a Country Park, which boasts excellent coastal walks and superb views of the River Crouch.

01245 321552

Information Line 01245 324191