Horner Woods Scout Camp Site
Horner, Nr Porlock, Minehead, Exmoor, Somerset.
OS Grid Reference SS898453
(Not open to the general public)
   
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Conditions Of Using
The Site

(Please ensure that ALL
campers are aware of
these conditions, not
just the leaders)

Because the site is outstandingly beautiful and surrounded by a National Nature Reserve (Horner Woods) conditions are imposed for the benefit of all site users – present and future, therefore please ensure all members of your party DO NOT:-

       1) Remove live or dead timber, standing or fallen from Horner Woods
       2) Tie ropes to trees in Horner Woods outside the boundary of the site.
       3) Cut or damage any trees, shrubs or bushes on the site.
       4) Climb or damage any hedges, fences or gates.
       5) Tamper with the mill stream and sluices which supply private land to the east
           or enter that land.
       6) Build bivouacs.
       7) Bring, or allow, dogs onto the site.
       8) Bring any caravans, trailer-tents, dormobiles, generators or power saws.
       9) Leave any dams, which your party have built, in the Horner Water or any ropes tied           to trees on the site when vacating.
     10) Leave pioneering poles scattered around the site or in the river, put them in the rack
          between the East & South camping fields so that other campers can have the benefit
          of their use.
     11) Let off fireworks on the site. This disturbs the wildlife and the villagers.

PLEASE LEAVE THE SITE TIDY AND CLEAR OF RUBBISH

 

 

Important
Points to Note

Safety of Young Persons
All groups must have adequate leadership for the whole period of the visit with a minimum of two adults for each party. This does not apply to Scouts on authorised expeditions using a hike camp for one night.

Water Supply
Please do not waste water! The water on the site is metered so every drop used has to
be paid for. As you will be aware the cost of water is increasing rapidly, so keeping down
our costs will result in cheaper camping for you.

Sanitation and Waste
Only waste from elsans or similar, which are not provided, should be disposed of in the septic tank disposal points. Please flush well during and after use (there is a tap with hose by each point). The Elsan disposal points are NOT capable of coping with the disposal of Sanitary towels (Please use the Public Toilets in the car park). Trenches for sanitation are not allowed, due to the possible pollution of the adjacent river.

Waste food must be burnt or disposed of in rubbish sacks. If gas is the normal method of cooking, then a wood fire at appropriate intervals for burning waste will alleviate the problem of wild and scavenging animals.

Rubbish must be either placed in the blue Eurobin (the large Refuse Container which will be on site at busy times of the year) or put in blue Trade Waste sacks which should be tied
and left in the cage at the entrance to the East Field. You will be issued with some free Trade Waste sacks and additional ones can be purchased at £2.00 each. (our cost price)

Surface filters must be used for washing-up water and the material used desposed of by burning before leaving the site. Please remember that putting water containing strong
detergent down the elsan disposal points can kill the bacterial action of the septic tank.
As rubbish removal is our biggest expense, Recycling of clean glass bottles & jars,
tins and paper is now being encouraged. At present recycling of plastic is only available by taking it to the recycling centre at Minehead.

Hill Expeditions for Scouts
All Scout Groups visiting the District and making hill expeditions involving overnight camping must :-
Ensure all expeditions are properly organised, all members have suitable equipment and are properly trained and briefed in accordance with POR.
Submit route tracings to the Exmoor National Park Hill and Expedition Adviser at least one month in advance of the expedition to enable the route to be considered. Late submission may result in consent not been given for the expedition.
Obtain permission to camp from any land owners concerned before the expedition.

It is the responsibility of the Leader in charge to ensure that these conditions are
observed.

 

Activities

 The Sea
The sea is dangerous, check locally for suitable times and places for bathing. The coast between Minehead and Hurlestone Point must be avoided because of loose rocks and the cliff faces and treacherous currents in the sea. Contact the Porlock Visitor Centre in the Old School for tide times and any other local information - 01643 863150 web site www.porlock.co.uk

Boating and Fishing
Available at Porlock Weir, Minehead and Watchet.

Water Activities (including fishing)
Available at Wimbleball Lake (Grid Ref SS965306). Only fly fishing is permitted, there is a self-service ticket scheme. For further information on fishing contact the South West Water Ranger (01398 371372). Contact the Commodore, Tim Moss, Wimbleball Sailing Club,
16 Conway Road, Bridgwater, Somerset (01278 652146) for information on sailing and canoeing. South West Water do not provide rescue services, this can only be arranged through the sailing club.

Horse Riding
Available by prior booking at Horner Farm (01643 862456) and sometimes available at Burrowhayes Caravan Park (01643 862463)

Pioneering
Some poles are provided for sharing with other users of the Site. However, ropes, blocks,
hessian or additional anchorage should be brought. Ropes may not be tied to trees outside
the site boundaries. Whenever a rope is tied to a tree on site the bark should be protected
by sacking or similar material.

Bivouacing
Because of the restrictions, by prior arrangement bivouacs may be built (provided they are dismantled after use) on the West Somerset District Scouts' Site at Tivington (Grid Ref SS938444).

 

 

Information

 Fires - Wood for fires may be purchased from Minehead Saw Mills on 01643 704381 and be delivered to the site. Restrictions may be imposed in very dry conditions. No wood, whether growing or rotting on the ground is available from adjoining land. Fires should normally be restricted to the recognised camp fire spots or altar fires should be used.

Car Parking - All visitors to the site must park in the Public Car Park at Horner which is only a short walk away. If you are expecting a large number of visitors to arrive by car,
arrangements can be made to park vehicles in the Games field. The owners of the two Tea
Gardens in the village get understandably annoyed if other visitors are unable to park
their cars in the Car Park.

Accidents - There is a minor casualty department at Minehead Hospital (Blenheim Road, entrance). The main Hospital is at Musgrove Park, Taunton.

Telephone - Emergency 999 calls ask at the nearest house. The nearest Public call boxes are at Luccombe and Porlock. Mobile phone signal is very poor, or non-existent, on the site.

Doctor - The Medical Centre, Porlock (adjacent to the main car park next to the Porlock Caravan Park) 01643 862575. There is a Chemists in Porlock with a Pharmacy.

Police - Nearest Station – Minehead (day time only ) 01823 337911.

Hill and Expedition Advice - Exmoor National Park Rangers, Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset 01398 323665.

Churches - Anglican at Luccombe, Porlock, Selworthy and Minehead.
Roman Catholic at Minehead.
Methodist at Porlock and Minehead.

Mail - There is no delivery to the site, prior arrangements should be made with Porlock Post Office and collected from there. 01643 862429.

Bread, Milk and Gas - Porlock is well provided with mini supermarkets. Costcutters, at the far end of the High Street, will deliver to the site - phone 01643 862515. There is also a Tesco One Stop at the Doverhay car park end of the High Street. Gas is available at Porlock Hardware - 01643 862427.

Caravans and Dormobiles - The nearest site is Burrowhayes Caravan Park which is within 1km. 01643 862463.