Frequently Asked Questions
General
Do you allow dogs on site?
Dogs are not permitted on site unless they are assistance dogs.
If you have an assistance dog staying for the duration of your visit, please let a member of staff know.
Can I bring my family to camp?
No, we are not open for public camping.
Where is the nearest public campsite?
The nearest public campsite is North Hill. Visit www.northhillfarm.co.uk
Can I bring my child to do some activities?
Sadly, we are not open to family groups or private individuals.
How can my child join Scouts/Guides?
Information on joining Scouts is available at www.scouts.org.uk/groups and Guides is available at www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter. Follow the instructions to find your local group.
Do you run DofE Gold residentials?
Yes, visit https://www.vacancies.hertfordshirescouts.org.uk/dofe-opportunities.
How do I make a booking?
Provisional bookings can be made either by email, over the phone or online. You can also pop in and make a booking face to face. The bookings team are available Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm.
How do I confirm my booking?
Provisional booking information will be sent by email. Please click the link to complete the e-sign booking form to confirm your booking.
When is our final payment due?
The final payment for a booking must be made 14 days before the booking commences. For more information, please see our terms and conditions.
Is there security onsite?
For your security, we have CCTV at our entrances and throughout the site and resident staff with a duty manager available 24 hours. The barrier at the main entrance is automatic between 08:00 and 22:30. Outside these times please make alternative arrangements for access. Access from Rucklers Lane is closed to vehicles and barrier controlled.
Do you have tents for hire?
We have got tents that are available for hire however these are only for use onsite and are not to be removed from the campsite.
Do you have first aid equipment?
First aid equipment is not supplied. It is the responsibility of each group to make appropriate provisions for this.
Are drones allowed on site?
No drones of any sort are allowed on site. If you have a specific reason why you need one, please contact the Manager to request permission.
Are fireworks allowed on site?
No fireworks are allowed.
I have lost an item onsite - how can I let you know and try to get the item back?
Please complete our claim form which can be found here. If the item is found, we will get in contact with you by email or phone.
Arrival
How do I find Phasels Wood Activity Centre?
A ‘How to Find Us’ guide is available from our website, please circulate to all those you need to direct to Phasels Wood. Please do not give them the postcode, as they will not arrive at our main entrance and access from our private entrance on Rucklers Lane is closed to vehicles (pedestrians and cyclists only) and barrier controlled. Access for vehicles is via the A41 entrance.
What happens if we are arriving by coach?
Please let us know in advance if you are planning to travel to us by coach and let us know on your Guest Information form. To ensure your arrival goes smoothly, please familiarise yourself with our ‘How to Find Us’ guide and ensure this is passed onto your driver. Please note there is strictly no access for coaches from Rucklers Lane.
What happens upon arrival at Phasels Wood?
A warm welcome awaits you. Upon arrival please go to the Activity Office to confirm your arrival and check in. Throughout your visit, activity equipment and activity keys should also be collected here. Activity Office opening times:
April to October
November to March
If you have any issues with your campsite or building when you arrive, please notify our team immediately so that we are able to address the matter.
Will vehicles be allowed access to our campsite/building?
Vehicles containing your Group’s main camping equipment will usually be granted access directly to the area where you are staying, however at busy times or during poor weather this may not always be possible. If this is the case we generally offer trailer runs to assist with the moving of heavy equipment. Please take your vehicle(s) to your campsite/building only once you have obtained the express permission of the Duty Manager. After you have unloaded, all vehicles should be returned to a car park.
There are three car parks situated throughout the centre. You will normally be directed to the nearest one for your camp although on busy weekends parents dropping off may have a five minute walk. Vehicles that are just dropping off/collecting or visiting for the day are expected to park in a car park and individuals to walk to the relevant area. Please make sure that all members of your group are aware of this prior to your visit.
We are hiring equipment during our stay, where we can collect this?
Please come to the activity office to arrange collection of any equipment you are hiring such as tables or altar fires.
Where is the nearest train station?
The nearest train station is Apsley. It is approximately a 10 minute drive from Phasels Wood.
What taxi companies are local?
Rainbow Cars - Hemel Hempstead - 01442 252588
Monday - Saturday 09.00-21.00. Sunday 09.00-17.00
Saturday - Thursday 09.00 - 17.00. Friday 09.00 - 21.00
Activities
Are activities open all year round?
We do not offer inflatable based activities in the Winter months (November to March).
When do I need to book activities by?
We advise you book activities as early as possible and at least 4 weeks in advance. We will book activities (self-led or instructed) at short notice, subject to availability. Activities are available at 9am, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm, 7pm and 8.30pm. Sessions are for one hour and for up to 15 participants.
What happens if it is raining?
Many of our activities can continue if participants are dressed properly. Our instructors will assess the activities in adverse weather conditions and if there are safety reasons why an activity cannot continue, we reserve the right to find a suitable alternative or cancel the activity. Groups should make sure they are dressed for the weather conditions.
Where do we go for activities?
For instructor led activities, please meet your instructor at the activity. For Self Led activities, please arrive at the Activity Office 10 minutes before your activity is due to start. Here you will be able to collect keys and equipment as well as Activity Guidelines. Should you have any questions or wish to book additional activities please speak to the team in the Activity Office.
Activity Training - when is the next course?
Activity training courses are advertised on our website and Facebook page.
Facilities
Is there anywhere to sit and eat our lunch?
Groups are welcome to use the picnic benches provided or to picnic on the grass. Table and bench combos are available to hire too. Building hire is also available for an extra charge, contact us for details.
What is your policy on smoking and drinking?
Phasels Wood supports the right to smoke free Scouting. Whilst we understand people have the right to smoke, we recognise people have a choice. We also acknowledge that non-smokers have right and choices. All buildings and activity areas are smoke-free zones and people should be actively discouraged from smoking around young people. Please see the Smoke-Free Scouting Guidance on www.scouts.org.uk for more information.
Anyone who is responsible for young people or taking part in activities must refrain from consuming alcohol. Please see our terms and conditions and Scouting and Alcohol in the Safeguarding section of guidance on www.scouts.org.uk for more information.
What can I buy onsite?
Our onsite shop, the Providore sells a range of confectionary and branded souvenirs and opens at regular intervals (opening times will be displayed in the window). Our coffee shop, Woodland Coffee, sells a range of hot drinks and light snacks and is open throughout the day. We suggest that pocket money consists mainly of coins as opposed to notes. Credit/Debit cards are accepted (min £1). Souvenirs can be pre ordered from our Online Shop.
Are we allowed to have open fires on site?
Open fires are permitted as long as they are in an altar fire. If there is a dedicated concrete base next to your building or on your woodland site, you may use this. Altar fires must be used on the field, and on any woodland sites that do not have a concrete base. Ground fires are not permitted. There is natural dead wood in the woodland and a woodpile situated in the main car park next to reception. We no longer take pallets for burning so the woodpile may not be well stocked so please do not be wasteful.
If you do not have your own altar fire, they can be hired from reception (subject to availability). You are welcome to bring your own barbecue as we do not have any for hire. If you are planning to bring disposable barbecues, please make sure that they are lifted off the ground when lit.
Do you have washing up sinks?
Washing up sinks are located next to the main toilet block. Please do not wash up inside the toilet blocks.
Is the water at Phasels Wood suitable for drinking?
There are taps with drinking water situated throughout the site, the location of these is clearly marked on the centre map. Please encourage your group to respect the area around the taps and not to leave them running. Water inside the toilet blocks is not suitable for drinking.
Do you have a freezer?
A communal freezer is available to freeze ice blocks or store small amounts of food (stored in a bag labelled with your group name).
What should we do with waste?
All rubbish should be taken to the bins in the main car park bin store. All rubbish is collected and sorted for recycling by our waste contractor. All rubbish including cold ash should be put into black bags and placed in the bins in the waste area. Please do not put hot ash or disposable barbecues into the bins as this is a fire hazard - wait for them to cool down. The subsoil at Phasels Wood is clay, and as such traditional wet pits should not be used. Draining can be done above ground in the rough part of your campsite.
Is bedding provided/What should I bring?
We do not supply bedding, you need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. A recommended kit list can be found on our ‘Downloads’ page.
What extra equipment should I bring/will I need?
If staying in a building, sharp knives, chopping boards and matches (to light the gas hobs) are not supplied.
Toilet rolls are supplied in all buildings and toilet blocks.
Is there somewhere to charge mobile phones whilst onsite?
If you have not hired one of our lodges or indoor spaces, we have a limited supply of phone charging lockers available for leaders use only. Depending on the demand/the size of your group, these are hired out for a 3 hour duration. Although there is no charge for using this facility, there is a lost key charge of £25 applied if the key is not returned.
Where are the nearest supermarkets and food shops and can I get a delivery?
Sainsbury’s, Aldi and Tesco are easily accessible in minutes by car. The village of Kings Langley has a high quality butcher’s shop, chemists and a Spar open early until late. Asda, Booker and Costco are also within easy driving distance.
Major supermarkets deliver to Phasels Wood but please ensure all orders contain your group name and an onsite contact number, Please wait at the reception for your order at your allocated delivery time, as this is the first place delivery drivers come to find out where you are!
Can I bring a gas stove and where can I buy camping gas?
You are allowed to bring a gas stove with you to cook on during your camp however please follow the Scouts POR on Using Gas Safely.
Local businesses that sell camping gas:
Calor - Texaco, 489 London Road, HP3 9BE.
Flogas - Taylor Tools, 43-45 Hempstead Road, WD4 8BS.
A local map can be found on our ‘Downloads’ page.
Do you have a launderette?
No. There are two launderettes only a five-minute drive from Phasels Wood open early until late. A local map can be found on our ‘Downloads’ page.
Do you have electric car chargers onsite?
No. We do not have electric car chargers. There are local public chargers that are available to use.
Please see our Electric Car Charger Map here.
Departures
What do we do when we are ready to depart?
Please notify the office approximately 30 minutes before you leave to arrange a campsite inspection. Please ensure that you have checked your site for litter, all ash has been cleared, wood has been returned to the woodpile and rubbish has been put in the skip. Any equipment hired from Phasels Wood should be returned.
The last leader to leave site should notify reception that everyone in your group has left.
If you are in an accommodation building, please scan the QR code displayed in the building to check out.
Accessibility
We have a person attending with additional needs. What suitable facilities do you have?
Rowan and Avenue lodges have an accessible toilet/wetroom.
Our toilet blocks have accessible toilets/showers with access via a RADAR key (keys available to borrow upon request).
Site visits for familiarisation or to assess activities for suitability are available on request - please contact us by email or phone to discuss.
Where practicable, adjustments to activities can be made. Please contact us to discuss individual requirements with appropriate instructors. In some cases this may result in more suitable activities being suggested.
Assistance dogs are welcome on site.
Catering
When can I book catering?
All catering must be booked in advance of your stay, we would advise you book at least a month before at the latest.
Where are meals served?
All meals are served at Woodland Bites, our catering facility.
Which meals are provided?
For school residential bookings, generally we arrange these so you bring a packed lunch for the first day. Meals are then provided from dinner that day onwards. If you need lunch provided by us on the first day, please request this in advance so it can be added to your booking. Our catered package price is for breakfast, lunch and dinner but these don’t have to all be on the same day so will cover dinner on the first day and breakfast and lunch on your last day. All cutlery and crockery is provided, you do not have to wash up. Our supper is hot chocolate and a biscuit, the hot chocolate is supplied in insulated pump pots after dinner for you to take away to your accommodation and serve in the evening at a time convenient to you. Arrangements for large Scout/Guide events vary depending on the event- please read the event information for the arrangements and menu.
Can we book for individual meals?
It is possible to book for one meal eg breakfast only or dinner only, do ask if this is of interest.
What is the menu for a catered booking?
We have a set menu, you can find our sample menu here.
When are mealtimes?
Mealtimes are scheduled for specific times so groups are staggered to minimise delays when serving. If you have a specific request for a mealtime, do contact our bookings team. Breakfasts are generally between 7am and 9am, lunch at 12 noon to 2pm and dinner at 5pm to 7pm.
Are drinks provided?
Water and squash are available throughout the day from the drinks station. We recommend that everyone brings a water bottle that they can fill and carry with them during the day. Tea and coffee are available throughout the day for group leaders.
Are snacks available to buy?
Our onsite shop sells a range of snacks, hot and cold drinks
Is there a minimum number of people for catered bookings?
Yes- you need to pay for a minimum of 12 people for catering. Some flexibility on this may be possible in the peak summer season- do ask if this is of interest.
We are going offsite for the day, can we take lunch with us?
Yes, please let us know in advance if you need to take packed lunches away immediately after breakfast and this can be arranged.
Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?
We endeavour to cater for special dietary requirements, whether determined by choice, faith or allergen intolerance. Simply let us know about your groups particular requirements by detailing them on your guest information form at the latest 14 days before your arrival date. We strive to operate a nut free kitchen, however because of manufacturing processes we cannot guarantee each ingredient is free from any trace of nuts. We are unable to provide full kosher catering but vegetarian for everyone is possible on request.