South Downs Bunkhouse School Trip
Houghton Farm
Residential Trip Residentials London & South East
The bunkhouse is well suited to walkers, cyclists, school parties and visitors to the area who want warm, comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price. Accommodation consists of 20 bed spaces in four rooms. Three of the rooms have two bunk beds and one has four. The mattresses are memory foam for your comfort and every bed has a power socket and USB charging port for your devices. There is a communal room with free WiFi, a TV, oven, hob, microwave, fridge, two toasters and kettle. The adjacent utility room provides additional kitchen facilities and laundry machines (£7 wash & dry). A basic barbecue is available in the courtyard with fuel available on request for a small charge. Secure bike storage and bike washing facilities are included.
Bed spaces are sold on the basis of mixed gender and mixed party occupancy. Should you require single gender or single party occupancy then empty bed spaces in the room are charged at the basic rate.
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What activities are available during educational visits?
The South Downs Bunkhouse is ideally suited for day trips across the south-east, with Amberley Museum within walking distance. Being part of a working farm means that it is also the perfect venue for guests to learn about the local countryside, food production and farming. Fully risk assessed and interactive sessions are available to meet your specific learning needs. Popular workshops include: rocks and soils, land management, habitats, life cycles, STEM, careers, etc. Tractor and trailer rides can be organised to enable guests to access remote areas.
Which curriculum topics do we cater for?
Food School Trip
Food Safety Where food comes from Nutrition and healthy diets Seasonal Food
A visit to Houghton Farm enables students to experience food production for themselves. By linking sustainable farming techniques which focus on improving the health of the soil, and caring for the environment, to the importance of healthy nutritious food, students appreciate the importance of making informed food choices as conscious consumers. Arable crops and beef cattle provide locally sourced recipe inspiration.
Farm School Trip Click to expand
Students visiting the South Downs Bunkhouse have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of the Farmer. With cattle, arable crops, numerous conservation projects, which include the care of woodlands, water meadows and wildflower meadows, there is plenty to experience and learn about. There is the opportunity to explore the farm using a tractor and trailer, and experience the splendour of the south downs landscape from the very top of the downs.
The links between the farm and food production are easily accessible, with students able to grind wheat and make their own flour, meet the cows and learn about their care and their role in helping Tim to manage the farm. Regenerative farming focuses on ensuring that the farm has a sustainable future, with a focus on soil health enabling farmers to grow healthier food for us, and students will be able to see this for themselves as they explore the organic matter in soil across the farm, why does it vary so much?
Biology School Trip Click to expand
Relationships in an ecosystem (KS3/4) Forensic Sciences (KS3/4) Plants Animals including humans Everyday materials Living things and habitats Evolution and inheritance Digestive System Ecology and environment Life Cycles Minibeasts Habitats Circulatory system Microbiology Biotechnology Medicine Life Sciences Cells and organisation (KS3/4) Skeletal and muscular systems (KS3/4) Nutrition and digestion (KS3/4) Gas exchange systems (KS3/4) Reproduction (KS3/4) Health (KS3/4) Photosynthesis (KS3/4) Cellular respiration (KS3/4) Inheritance chromosomes DNA and genes (KS3/4) Evolution inheritance and variation (KS3/4) Senses
Students visiting the South Downs Bunkhouse have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of biology on the farm. With water meadows, the River Arun, arable fields, woodland, permanent pasture and herbal leys, there are many different habitats and ecosystems to explore.
The farm provides the perfect setting for students to enjoy minibeast hunts, learn about the farming year and how it benefits local wildlife.
Regenerative farming encourages biodiversity as farmers use plant adaptations and consciously work with nature to improve soil health and grow nutritionally healthier food. The beef herd provide the perfect opportunity for students to learn about different digestive systems, DNA, anatomy, selective breeding and evolution.
Environmental Geography School Trip
Plastic pollution Extreme Weather Sustainable living Climate change Conservation Fairtrade Pollution Flooding Renewable Energy Natural Disasters
Students visiting the South Downs Bunkhouse have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of geography on the farm. With water meadows, the River Arun, arable fields, woodland, permanent pasture and herbal leys, the farm provides the perfect opportunity for a variety of different fieldwork activities: the impact of the weather, role of renewable energy, strategies to combat climate change and the reality of conservation and sustainable practices in the process of managing the countryside and growing enough food to feed a growing population.
Fieldstudies School Trip
Sampling and Statistics Ecology Ecosystems Geology Rivers Sustainability Mapping Landscape Management Coastal Towns and Cities
Students visiting the South Downs Bunkhouse have the opportunity to spend time with Tim, the Farmer, and learn about the role of geography on the farm. With water meadows, the River Arun, valleys, arable fields, woodland, grassland, permanent pasture and herbal leys, the farm provides the perfect opportunity for a variety of different fieldwork investigations.
The view from the very top of the farm provides the perfect opportunity for students to develop their mapping skills, whilst they consider the many wind turbines they can see out in the harbour.
What size groups do we cater for?
The South Downs Bunkhouse is able to accommodate 23 guests, with 20 bunkbeds available. Additional b & b accommodation is available in the farmhouse. Day visits are available for up to 60 students at a time, with half day and full day programmes available.
On-site classroom facilities?
The South Downs Bunkhouse has a separate classroom with toilets and a small kitchen which can be used by schools visiting for the day and/or staying overnight.
Is there first aid on site?
Whilst Tim is first aid trained, it is advised that schools bring their own First Aiders.
Access for visitors with disabilities
The bunkhouse is accessible for those with additional mobility needs.
Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
All guests are welcome whatever their learning needs.
Anything else?
To find out more about Houghton Farm and what it can offer, visit
Who are Houghton Farm?
Tim Lock is an experienced farmer, keen to enable the next generation of consumers to understand the importance of knowing how food has been produced and where it has come from. Keen to develop links with schools across the UK, the South Downs Bunkhouse means that the farm can host educational visits for even more school groups. Tim has his CEVAS (Countryside Education Visit Accreditation Scheme) badge which demonstrates that he is able to provide high quality bespoke visits which are fun as well as educational.
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