Biblins Youth Campsite is moving forward with plans to restore its long-unused bunkhouse, aiming to provide more young people with access to outdoor learning experiences.
The site, located along the River Wye, has long served as a base for schools, Scouts, and other youth organizations. However, the bunkhouse, originally built in the 1960s, has been vacant since 2013 due to its deteriorating condition.
With assistance from Design for All, a group that supports charities and community organizations, the team behind Biblins is working to transform the bunkhouse into a fully accessible and sustainable facility.
Once completed, it will accommodate up to 39 young people and their leaders, according to a report by The Forest Review.
Debs McCahon, chief executive of Woodcraft Folk, which operates the campsite, emphasized the importance of reopening the facility.
“This is a critical time, we all know that residentials and outdoor adventures support the wellbeing of our children and young people,” McCahon said. “Therefore, we are keen to reopen the Bunkhouse to ensure more children can get to benefit from our activities on site.”
To fund the initial phase of the project, Biblins has launched a £20,000 fundraising campaign.
The money will cover essential survey work and architect fees. The team is seeking support from both individuals and local businesses to bring the project to fruition.
According to McCahon, “With rising costs and increasing demand for outdoor learning spaces, we rely on the kindness of people who believe in our mission.”
The renovated bunkhouse is expected to serve as a valuable resource for outdoor education providers.
The planned upgrades, including the use of locally sourced timber and renewable energy, align with broader sustainability trends in the outdoor hospitality sector.
As demand for eco-friendly group accommodations continues to rise, similar projects may serve as models for other campgrounds and outdoor education facilities.
The campaign is also appealing to individuals with connections to the original construction of the bunkhouse. One such individual, Roger Lane, recalled his experience working on the building in the 1960s.
“As a 17-year-old living in Gloucester, I was taken with a group to this magical place known as The Biblins, where, in return for some unskilled labor, carrying wood and knocking in nails, we were allowed to bivvy in a half-completed building,” Lane said.
This restoration effort comes as Biblins continues to expand its environmental initiatives. The site was recently selected as one of 49 recipients of the National Trust’s “Trees of Hope” Sycamore Gap saplings, which will be planted in 2025/26.
For businesses in the outdoor hospitality sector, the project highlights an ongoing shift toward sustainable infrastructure in group accommodations.
Operators looking to invest in similar upgrades may find value in collaborating with organizations like Design for All or exploring community-backed funding models.
