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Youth Groups

“Chellington is uniquely able to create a magical reality, a space unto itself, the world as it should be.” (Advocacy Academy)

Surrounded by open countryside, the Chellington Centre offers a powerful and engaging environment for groups to pursue their own focused aims through a residential or day retreat. A perfect venue for youth group trips away. 

“Chellington is uniquely able to create a magical reality, a space unto itself, the world as it should be. Having experienced it, when they return home the young people can remember what they built for themselves at Chellington, and what can be built in their own community too.” Advocacy Academy

Download our brochure for youth groups

 Exclusive-use residentials for up to 66 and day trips for up to 100 take the young people beyond their normal environment with a lasting effect on personal and social development.

Inside you'll find accommodation for up to 36 in this incredible 12th century church, converted and extended into an award-winning venue with conference/activity hall, 7 dormitory bunk rooms, modern kitchen for self-catering, showers + toilets, 2 large break-out training/social rooms. 

Outside, we can now offer camping for a further 30 in our brand new sole-use camping zone, complete with modern showers/toilets in the new Herald Building (13 Vaude tents and camping mats to hire if needed). 

Make use of the multi-purpose playing field, enjoy the camp fire and barbeque or delight in the view from picnic tables with 360 degree horizons and no immediate neighbours. Immediate access to walks and the dramatic rural landscape, overlooking valley and Great Ouse river.  

Tailor your programme
Enjoy the freedom to design and deliver your own residential experience with sole-use of the entire site. Choose from a wide range of on-site activites to enjoy during your stay.

Parking is no problem with plenty of space for cars, minibuses and coaches and we are well located to enjoy good access between M1 and A1 London, Camdridge and Oxford. 

 Why do young people love Chellington? and their leaders?

  • Feels a million miles from anywhere whilst being very accessible
  • Total freedom - enjoy exclusive use of the building and gardens so you can focus on delivering your programme without having to share the space with other groups
  • Multiple spaces to explore and enjoy both inside and out - large flexible main space with two break-out rooms designed for any programme of learning, team-building and individual development or just relaxing and enjoying the views. 
  • Lots of games to play - table tennis, table football and a giant Connect 4 (plus a Games pack to hire if you need more) 
  • Incredible outdoor space with a rounders/playing field which can be used for any outdoor sports 
  • Wonderful walks straight from the Centre doors.
  • Magical evenings enjoying the BBQ and campfire (with seating for 30) with the inevitable marshmellows and music whilst star gazing
  • Exciting indoor/outdoor acitivites nearby through our partners who offer activities such as forest skills, archery and kayaking on the nearby river Great Ouse.
  • Join in with the catering in our kitchen, fully equipped for self-catering. or we can put together a catered quote

Also...

  • We can help with suggested timetables and will support your stay in any way we can
  • We can share our building risk assessments in preparation for your residential and we can usually arrange a site visit before your stay
  • We have a number of free indoor/outdoor activity sheets 
  • We'll do everything in our power to make your visit both memorable and unique 

Financial support is available to help with the cost of accommodation for a group through The Chellington Bursary Scheme
Please see Chellington Bursary for further information and to download a simple application form.

We particularly welcome applications from groups with small numbers or with limited funding available or those who support young people with particular needs. 

Extras you might be interested in:

Choose from a wide range of activites to enjoy during your stay:

  • Soft Archery
  • Forest Skills
  • Archery
  • Harrold-Odell Country Park
  • Teaching Talons - Animal Encounters
  • Art with Anne-Marie
  • Mini Map-Makers
  • Boot Camp

Click here for more information on activities available 


 

Gallery

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What are people saying?...
"We loved being at Chellington, the spaces are ideal for a smaller group. Being able to be close to home was great for those YP who work and could only come for part of the weekend. Everything has been very well thought through - even down to providing hot water bottles! Being able to have a fire was very special - there aren't many places you can do this now. Having the very thorough Risk Assessments really helped our planning. Everything from start to finish made it a joy to be able to organise a weekend away. The staff are very helpful and accommodating - nothing was too much to ask, but they also left us to get on with it over the weekend so we felt relaxed to be together. Chellington is a very special place and we'll all have very special memories of being there."

- Grace Community Church, Bedford

"This was the best place to come and reconnect with each other and God. Beautiful surroundings and space to play, with a great bonfire to toast marshmallows at the end of the day! We will be back!"

- St Andrews Youth Group, High Wycombe

"We have been coming to Chellington for many years and it always meets our expectations and we all have a brilliant time-children and leaders! It is well equipped, very comfortable and a really special place. "

- St Marys Wooton, & St Peters and St Paul's, Cranfield

"Chellington is uniquely able to create a magical reality, a space unto itself, the world as it should be. Having experienced it, when they return home the young people can remember what they built for themselves at Chellington, and what can be built in their own community too. "

- Amelia Viney, CEO of Advocacy Academy

"A great centre, in a great location, warm and comfortable environment."

- Dunstable Parish Youth Group

"The centre and its surroundings are calming and inspiring which has reflected in the experience our young people had. The centre is a perfect venue for our young people to complete their training, get to know one another and also chill and have some fun! They always ask if they can come back and stay at Chellington again!"

- Programme Leader, Prince’s Trust

"Beautiful scenery with a relaxing environment and the girls felt safe and they really enjoyed the weekend. thanks. We hope to come back again one day."

- 4th Rushden Brownies

"Thank you so much for having us. This beautiful church is the answer to my prayer. So peaceful and the perfect place to be creative. I can tell there has been lots of love in this building :) "

- Gracie Wright - Young Ambassador

"Just wanted to let you know that Trad Camp was a huge success last week! We are so lucky to have found you and the Chellington Centre. The set up was perfect for our week and the kids and their parents were over the moon about the idyllic setting for our program."

- Trad Academy

"The centre itself was lovely, large and accessible for all. It allowed the activities to run easily, and the children and young people to have fun playing games and socialising during their breaks and lunch time."

- CHUMS

"What an amazing stay. Exceeded every expectation and we could not fault a single thing. The kids loved it, the parents loved it, the weather was perfect. The ideal location to get away from technology and help groups connect. "

- Saffron Waldon RFC U13

"Thank you. Another great stay at the venue. Perfect venue for our Christmas celebrations for our annual Christmas Explorer Scout Unit party."

- Biggleswade Phoenix Explorers