On-Site Camping Accommodation For School Summer Camps and Youth Groups
Mill on the Brue offers on-site camping accommodation for youth groups and school visits, set on a secluded camping field in the heart of Somerset. Open from the start of the summer term through to the end of September, our spacious, waterproof tents provide a more affordable alternative, unique to our residential buildings, without compromising on comfort, facilities or activities.
Key Details
- Accommodation Type: Spacious tents on wooden platforms, with 5 camp beds per tent
- Capacity: Up to 70 campers
- Staff Accommodation: Proper bed in each individual staff tent
- Facilities: Dedicated showers and loos, solar lighting, central campfire area, tea/coffee and fridge facilities for staff
- Duration: 2 nights or 4 nights (Monday to Friday morning) or a weekend (Friday afternoon to Sunday)
- Suitable For: School residential trips, youth groups (Scouts, Guides, DofE) and schools
- Activities: 40+ outdoor activities available on site, six or more per day
- Price: A reduced rate compared to our building-based residential accommodation
- Accreditation: Fully qualified and DBS-checked instructors, supported by our AALA licensing and BAPA membership.
We’re based in Bruton, Somerset, just one hour from Bath and Bristol and two hours from London, making us an easily accessible camping destination for schools and youth groups across the South West and beyond.
Why Choose Our Camping Accommodation
- Tents are sturdy and waterproof, built on wooden platforms
- Real beds, pillows, sheets, duvets and blankets for teachers and leaders; camp beds, pillows and blankets for children
- Showers and toilets reserved exclusively for campers
- Solar lighting for staff tents, plus a kettle and fridge for hot drinks
- Central campfire area with benches and a plentiful supply of wood
- Lambing barn for undercover group area
- Dedicated drying room
- Same instructor for the whole stay (no more than 12 students per group), building consistency and trust
- Camping sessions can be tailored to be SEN-friendly, with programmes adapted to support children with additional needs
- Fresh food cooked daily from locally sourced and organic kitchen-garden produce, served in our award-winning Longhouse dining room, reflecting our green ethos
- A reduced price compared to building-based accommodation, without compromising on activities or food
- AALA licensed and a member of BAPA, compliant with all adventure activity legislation
Watch Our Intro Video
What to Expect During Your Stay
Once you’ve booked your camping accommodation, you, as the group’s Party Leader, choose from over 40 activities, tasks, games and projects. We create an individual programme to reflect the aim and objectives of your group. The same instructor stays with your group throughout, helping children settle into camp life whether you’re a school class or a youth group.
The majority of activities are on site, making the most of the time and ensuring up to six activities per day.
If you wish, there can be an emphasis on teamwork and social skills and/or the environment and conservation. The programme can also be linked to the Geography or History National Curriculum with a town or river study.
Duration: 5 days or weekend
Between: Monday to Friday morning, Monday to Wednesday morning, Wednesday to Friday afternoon or late Friday to Sunday afternoon (see available dates)
Capacity: Accommodation for 70 students
Mill On The Brue specialises in offering first class outdoor education and outdoor adventure courses which create the right atmosphere for skills development in many areas. Click here to read some testimonials from past visiting teaching staff
The Apple Store is our environmental centre/ classroom built from recycled materials and specifically designed to teach children about protecting our environment.
All our staff are well qualified, experienced and checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Carefully planned menus with locally sourced produce and our own organic vegetables are served in our environmentally built, award winning ‘Longhouse’ dining room. Mill on the Brue was selected as runner up in the 2007 BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards.
Your instructors will stay with their group for the entire length of the stay. We believe by having the same instructor (no more than 12 students) and an adult staff member of the party there is much more consistency and communication. Relationships between the instructor, students and member of the visiting staff flourishes and increases the level of trust and development of each student.
- Proper beds in your tent.
- Solar Electric light in your tent.
- Kettle for hot drinks and your own fridge.
We understand each group wants different outcomes from their visit and that is why we individually write your programme having asked you for your choice of activities.
To gain a better understand of how the week can vary so much we’ve written three sample programmes for a typical group spilt into four groups (no more than 12 children in a group)
Team Building Emphasis (download)
Environmental education emphasis (download)
Fun and development emphasis (download)
If you have any questions at all about our programmes please do ring us and we can explain more, 01749 812307.
FAQs
What’s included in the camping accommodation?
Each tent sleeps 5 on camp beds set on wooden platforms. Children bring a sleeping bag, and we provide additional blankets if needed for both children and teachers. Campers have access to dedicated showers and loos, a central campfire area, and tea/coffee facilities, with a staff fridge available in the Lambing Barn.
What age groups is camping suitable for?
Aged 8 years old upwards. Our camping option is suitable for school groups, and youth groups such as Scouts, Guides and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. Children are grouped with no more than 12 per instructor.
Is camping cheaper than your building-based residential trips?
Yes. Camping offers the same choice of 40+ activities and the same food as our residential building accommodation, but at a more competitive price, making it a popular choice for groups working to a tighter budget.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Our tents are sturdy and waterproof, and the programme runs in all weather. Some activities may be adjusted in extreme conditions, but your group will always have a full day planned.
Can the programme be linked to the curriculum?
Yes. We can build an emphasis on teamwork and social skills, or the environment and conservation, and link the programme to the Geography or History National Curriculum with a town or river study.
Do you provide a sample itinerary before booking?
Yes. We’ve put together three sample programmes — Team Building, Environmental Education, and Fun and Development — so you can see how a typical week is structured before you book.
Looking for Something Different?
During the school holidays, children can join our Residential Summer Camps, Adventure Day Camps or Mini Mobster Sessions, all designed to build confidence, encourage friendships and create unforgettable outdoor adventures.
We also host exciting Birthday Parties, and outdoor Team Building Events, Management Training and Fun Days for adults and organisations looking to bring people together through shared experiences.
