Chesterblade Hills: A Perfect Eco-Campsite and Green Heart Venue for Exclusive Group Retreats in Somerset

Oct 31, 2024 | Green Heart Venue, Wild Group Camping Site

Nestled within the rolling hills of Somerset, Chesterblade Hills is more than just a campsite, it’s a space that brings together nature, community, and creativity. This eco-conscious site, offering exclusive group hire, provides the perfect setting for families, creative gatherings, and wellbeing retreats. Visitors come here for its expansive, wild landscape, rustic facilities, and the ability to tap into a rich connection with nature and each other. Let’s explore the experiences of three different groups who have made unforgettable memories at Chesterblade Hills.

1. Family and Friends Annual Camping Adventures: Freedom to Explore

For a group of lifelong friends, Chesterblade Hills is the ultimate venue for their annual creative retreat. What began over 30 years ago as a simple field gathering around a campfire has evolved into an immersive DIY cultural experience. Every summer, they come together, bringing with them themes, costumes, and a love for sharing acoustic music.

“Our camp is about the children these days,” says one of the group’s founders. Every year, they plan an artistic theme for their camp, and Chesterblade Hills provides the perfect backdrop for their creative activities. From Mardi Gras to disco nights, they bring these themes to life through art, costume-making, and interactive performances. The expansive outdoors and flexible Green Heart venue space offer them ample room to host these vibrant, themed events.

Music is a cornerstone of their gatherings. “We celebrate diverse musical contributions in the same spirit as Jools Holland or Emily Eavis,” says one attendee. The music ranges from folk played by amateur guitarists to trumpet performances by friends who have graced the stages of Glastonbury Festival. Even the children join in, performing their favourite pop songs.

The Green Heart venue, with its cozy indoor space and open kitchen area, adds another layer of comfort, offering shelter when needed, while the outdoor campfire becomes a hub for sharing stories, music, and memories. It’s a family-friendly, non-profit event that embodies a DIY spirit of collaboration and joy. They describe their annual gathering as “a bit like a garden party with BBQs,” with campfire performances, creative activities, and a spirit of togetherness.

Over the years, their camp has grown, picking up new like-minded friends along the way, all drawn to the warm sense of community fostered at Chesterblade Hills. Here, the group of around 120 finds a welcoming space to rekindle old friendships, inspire creativity, and build new traditions.

The campsite’s vast landscape, featuring hills and woodlands, allows children to explore hidden spaces, build dens, and embark on adventures, “Our children love the freedom to explore and have adventures in a safe and exciting landscape,” Chesterblade Hills offers that perfect balance between wide-open space and a sense of security, making it a magical playground for young explorers.

Beyond the campsite, the group has enjoyed hiking to nearby local treasures like Westcombe Dairy, where they indulged in a guided tour of the cheese caves—a memorable highlight of their trip. “We had a guided tour of the cheese caves there and heard the owner again the week after on Radio 4. Very tasty cheese.” It’s moments like these that elevate their experience, mixing the thrill of rural discovery with unique local culture.

For this group, the magic of Chesterblade Hills lies in its ability to foster connection—both with nature and each other. Whether it’s toasting marshmallows by the fire or hiking to nearby local attractions, Chesterblade Hills offers a retreat where families can relax, explore, and create lasting memories.

2. First Men: A Journey of Wellbeing and Connection

For First Men, a men’s wellbeing organization led by co-founder Sam Adams, Chesterblade Hills provides the ideal setting for their retreats. First Men focuses on helping men reconnect with their identity, purpose, and emotions by working closely with nature. The wild landscape of Chesterblade Hills, with its mix of woodland, open pastures, and fire circles, creates the perfect atmosphere for this transformative work.

“We care for men’s souls; we care for men’s hearts,” explains Sam. The group uses the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—as metaphors for personal growth and emotions. At Chesterblade Hills, they find a venue that reflects their mission of connecting deeply with the natural world. “We look for a place where there’s water, a place to connect with the earth, and spaciousness to embrace the air,” Sam continues.

During their retreats at Chesterblade Hills, First Men structured their activities around four key themes: mindfulness, sharing circles, embodiment, and rest. Mindfulness practices included meditation, solo walks through the hills, and breathwork sessions, while sharing circles around the fire provided space for vulnerability and emotional exploration. Physical activities such as chopping wood and firecraft helped the men reconnect with their bodies, while music, dancing, and conversation around the campfire allowed for relaxation and community building.

The facilities at Chesterblade Hills, including the Green Heart barn, were essential for the group. One of the retreats took place in late October and the barn provided a much-needed shelter from the cold, wet weather. “The tent canvases were solid ice in the morning,” says Sam, but the group embraced the wild conditions as part of their experience, connecting even more deeply with the rugged landscape.

For First Men, Chesterblade Hills ticks all the boxes: wildness, comfort, and eco-conscious practices. The site’s commitment to rewilding and agroecology aligns perfectly with the organization’s values, creating a harmonious environment for their transformative work.

3. Family Camp: A Midsummer Celebration Weekend of Creativity, Learning, and Reconnection

Another magical experience at Chesterblade Hills is the midsummer Family Camp, a weekend gathering organized by Creative Roots and Bridging Nature. With over 150 people attending, this event was a celebration of nature, creativity, and community. Attendees were treated to a wide range of activities, from bushcraft and foraging walks to yoga, spoon carving, and forest school for children.

The spacious site at Chesterblade Hills, along with the versatile Green Heart venue, provided the perfect canvas for this multi-faceted event. Children roamed freely, learning new skills and engaging with nature, while adults took part in kirtan singing, pottery, and even fire-making workshops. A mobile sauna added a unique element to the weekend, providing relaxation amidst the warm summer weather.

The organizers worked closely with the site to ensure a seamless experience, from arranging camping zones to marking out activity areas. The collaboration and support from the all involved ensured the events success, with attendees leaving with new skills, deepened connections, and a renewed sense of wonder.

Chesterblade Hills is more than just a campsite—it’s a place where memories are made, where families and friends reconnect, and where individuals embark on journeys of personal growth. Whether it’s an annual family trip, a wellbeing retreat, or a creative gathering, Chesterblade Hills offers the perfect blend of wild landscapes, eco-conscious facilities, and community-driven spirit. If you’re looking for a unique venue to host your next group retreat or exclusive event, look no further than this magical corner of Somerset.

Chesterblade Hills