Lesnes Abbey Scouting & Guiding sessions frequently asked questions

Thank you for taking an interest in the sessions we offer at Lesnes Abbey and please find below the answers to questions regarding our sessions, bookings, costs etc...

If there any questions you find have not been answered please do not hesitate to email

 

Who runs the sessions?

Our education team is lead by Stephanie Johnson (from North West Kent Countryside Partnership)

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What facilities are available at the site?

There is Chestnuts Kiosk where hot and cold drinks and snacks can be purchased. There are also public toilets for both males and females each with 3 cubicles. Surrounding the lodge are also picnic benches which can be used during warm weather for eating lunch outside along with a public water fountain.

There is no parking directly on site but spaces can be found along New Road and Abbey Road. There are bus stops close to the park’s entrances and Abbey Wood Station is less than a 10 minute walk away.

If you would like to hire the Lodge there will be an additional fee.  Please go to https://www.lesnesabbeywoods.org/venue-hire/lodge-hire/

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What other resources does the site offer?

The site has many ponds which can be used for pond dipping, a variety of habitats for species study/minibeast safaris, ancient and secondary woodland, a heathland, its own fossil pit where shells and shark’s teeth can be found, along with the historic Lesnes Abbey ruins which were built by Richard de Luci in 1178 as penance for the murder of Thomas Becket.

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How many children can you cater for?

Our education team, North West Kent Countryside Partnership (NWKCP), have devised a range of fun interactive tutor led activities for up to 30 children, who attend either Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, or Girl Guides. The workshops have been specifically tailored against different badge’s criteria. You can choose activities lasting either 1 ½ or 3 hours.

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How much do sessions cost?

Cost per child: - 1 ½ session £3 and 3-hour session £6. 

Maximum number 30 and minimum charge £45

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How long are sessions and when can you book them?

You can choose from either an 1½ or 3 hour session, which can be booked either after school or over the weekend.

 

Please contact to enquire about all bookings and availability.

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What equipment is available for use in a session?

We have a range of equipment which we use for our sessions which includes but is not limited to; microscopes, tablets, compasses, maps, beakers, test tubes, sweep nets, pooters, id guides, den making materials, sieves and trowels.

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Are risk assessments for the sessions available?

All risk assessments are written and carried out by our education team. They are available to download from the respective course pages or can be requested and sent via email. However please feel free to visit the site and conduct your own site visit/ assessment if you wish.

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How many adults do we need to bring?

We ask that a minimum ratio of 1 adult is brought for every 6 children to ensure the proper supervision and safety of the children coming to Lesnes Abbey.

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Can we request a tailored session?

We are happy to tailor previously created sessions to make a new arrangement such as den making in the morning and orienteering in the afternoon if you wish to cover more topics in 1 day. But we are currently not creating any new sessions which would be heavily dependent on new resources / staff time.

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What do we need to bring along to the sessions?

All children and adults should be appropriately dressed for the weather conditions and activities being taken part in. We cannot provide any spare clothing such as waterproofs etc...

Suggested clothing and footwear are; waterproofs, clothing for wet and muddy conditions, trainers, walking boots or wellies, hats, gloves, scarfs, sun hats and sunglasses. In summer or sunny conditions please also bring sun cream. We also advise school’s to provide their children with high visibility vests so they can be easily spotted when on site.

For sessions which involve walking through the site/going into the woods please advise parent helpers that taking prams into these areas is not practical.

All children and adults should bring their own packed lunch and water although some refreshments can be bought at the café when it is open and the sink and water fountain can be used to top up water bottles.

First aid kits must also be brought along and members of the school staff should have first aid training. Stephanie Johnson is the only member of the education team who is first aid at work trained.