Wonders are around each corner at Windmill Hill!
Located on the stunning Sussex Downs, this bustling activity centre is a popular choice for visitors from London and the surrounding areas.
Canoe in our lake, swing from the trees, whoosh down ziplines and have a splash in our pool. Windmill Hill has great facilities and plenty of activities to enjoy.
Windmill Hill has a great range of programmes to choose from, including our popular DISCOVER! and EXPLORE! Adventure multi-activity camps, and for those looking for something extra-special, our TRAILBLAZE! Adventures include specialist Pony Riding and Netball camps.
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Kids’ adventure camps at Windmill Hill
What you can find at Windmill Hill
Windmill Hill is packed full of handy facilities for your child to enjoy between activities. Whether they are looking to chill out, grab a snack, buy a gift for mum or dad, or socialise with their new friends, this centre has everything they need.
Car Park
Retail / Shop
Vending Machines
Accessible Bedrooms
Camp Fire
Sports Pitches/Courts
Table Tennis
What’s on the menu at Windmill Hill?
Tasty meals and plenty of choice to please even the fussiest of eaters
Adventure is hungry work! Kids at Windmill Hill enjoy three nutritious meals a day in our dining rooms, picking and choosing from a varied menu of delicious family favourites.
Hot and cold meal choices with vegetarian options
Self-service fresh salad bar
Fresh fruit available with every meal
Allergies, intolerances and special diets catered for
Kids love sleepovers at Windmill Hill
Sharing a room with new friends is part of the PGL experience! Our rooms at Windmill Hill are clean, warm and cosy, with comfy beds and clean bathrooms close by. After a long day of action, our young adventurers look forward to a fantastic nights’ sleep, ready for more excitement tomorrow.
Lodges
Accommodation is in modern, purpose-built lodges which offer five or six bedded en suite rooms. The lodges create a homely ‘village’ feel and are all within the grounds of the main house.
Adventure for all ages at Windmill Hill
We’ve learned that children get the most from their PGL adventure when they’re with kids their own age, which is why at Windmill Hill we split our kids’ camps into three main age groups. Not only do children feel more confident and relaxed around same-age peers, it means their adventure will be perfectly tailored to suit their ability, offering age-appropriate excitement, challenges and activities to provide maximum enjoyment from their stay at Windmill Hill.
Our overlapping age ranges give you the option to choose the best group for your child if they are sitting at the upper/lower age limit.
Activities
Windmill Hill is bursting with incredible activities and fun challenges for your young explorers to discover.
Abseiling
The tower is over 10 metres high. The task – to walk backwards off the top, gradually working back towards ground level, suspended only on a rope. It’s all about trust, courage and confidence. It’s also a very dynamic way to learn calculating and controlling risk. Some children deal with heights more easily than others, but the support and encouragement of the rest of the group is important for each individual’s success and will help strengthen peer relationships.
Aeroball / Airball
A cross between trampolining, basketball and volleyball - it’s an exhilarating, high-energy sport. Four players learn the basics required - then spring into action! The aim is to get the ball in the opposing player's net. As well as being lots of fun, your child will develop team tactics and improve communication skills along the way.
All Aboard
All aboard is all about building trust and strengthening peer relationships – at the top of a 6 metre pole! Teams of up to four children scale the pole to reach the small platform at the top. Balancing on the platform becomes more difficult as more team members arrive to share the space. The challenge is to cooperate and support each other. The task is complete when all four team members successfully stand together at the top of the pole. Weight limit: 150kg
Aquafun
Have a splash with inflatable fun in the pool
Archery
Our Archery sessions offer the chance for every child to experience success. Accuracy, control and a steady hand are vital for achieving the best results and many children discover a talent for a new skill. Handling bows and arrows may be a brand new experience for your child and presents a variety of new challenges! We encourage safety awareness from the outset and teach the basic skills on an indoor or outdoor range.
Archery Tag
Let the battle commence! Archery with a twist - you are aiming for each other! In this game of skill and teamwork you are equipped with foam tipped arrows to battle it out in action packed games. You will do some basic skills training before entering the arena to see who comes out victorious! Available March to September
Axe Throwing
Discover your inner Viking on our NEW Axe Throwing ranges. Hone your skills, and get your eye in, as you aim for maximum points on the target. Technique over strength will be the key to mastering this activity and as the session progresses you'll discover the best ways to fling an axe down the range. But, by the end of the session, will you be brave enough to 'call the Crux'?
Canoeing
Canoeing is exciting, challenging and tonnes of fun! It’s also a great opportunity for your child to learn new skills such as paddling and steering in order to control their craft effectively.
Challenge Course
The PGL Challenge Course is legendary – it’s a well-loved and popular activity that can even get quite competitive sometimes! As your child negotiates the various obstacles that lie ahead, it’s an experience that will promote teamwork, lateral thinking, problem solving and decision-making – as well as being physically challenging too.
Climbing
Your child will need to combine different skills including perseverance, strength, an ability to deal with heights – as well as trust in their belay partner and equipment. Those who have never tried it before will find it an exhilarating experience. Climbing at PGL may take place on indoor walls or outdoor climbing towers; whichever it is, we always use a top-rope belay for safety. Weight limit: 140kg
Disc Golf
Your young adventurer will love trying their hand at this exciting, fast-paced sport in the great outdoors! A flying disc sport, players will take it in turns to throw a frisbee disc at a target as they make their way across a 9-holed disc course! The perfect introduction to both frisbee and golf, Disc Golf is the ideal way to incite a little healthy competition!
Fencing
Fencing is a great workout for both body and brain. It’s challenging, exciting and involves good eye-to-hand coordination, fast footwork, lightning reflexes and even quicker decision-making. It’s a sport that offers huge potential for the enthusiast to learn more and progress at club level, but it’s also accessible and great fun for beginners too. Our qualified instructors will teach your child the basic principles and safety procedures before they progress onto outwitting their opponent in this great Olympic sport.
Giant Stand Up Paddleboard
The giant stand up paddleboard is a fun and relaxing way for your child to enjoy being on the water. It's a great activity for building confidence on a board through teamwork, balance and coordination. Available May to October.
Giant Swing
The ultimate test of nerve and joint decision-making. Two or three of children are harnessed into the swing, while other members of the group haul them up to 10 metres into the air. After the group in the swing decide together how high they want to go, a pull on the ripcord will send them plummeting earthward. It’s a fast and exhilarating drop, but good communication will get the right balance between fear and fun! Weight limit: 150kg
Jacob’s Ladder
It’s an exercise in teamwork and friendly cooperation. Your child's objective, in teams of three, is to climb to the top of a suspended ladder of logs. The gaps between each log become wider, the higher you go. Pushing up, pulling up, standing on shoulders – it’s all about working together to achieve a joint purpose. The activity promotes friendship, communication, discussion, leadership and decision-making as each team progresses to the top. Weight limit: 150kg
Micro Scooter
Watch on as your pupils hop aboard our marvellous Micro Scooters and whizz around with friends as part of this action-packed activity session. Groups will be shown how to manoeuvre safely as they spend time getting comfortable with their scooter, before participating in a series of exciting team games and challenges to help develop confidence and competence... along with those all-important coordination skills!
Orienteering
Orienteering makes an excellent introduction to practical map-reading and is an exciting way to get to know your surroundings on centre. Your child will work in a small teams or as a pair to locate control points across the grounds of the centre. As it’s essentially a competitive activity, the idea is for your child to find all the controls more quickly than the others. The activity helps them to improve decision-making, map reading and correctly judging distances.
Problem Solving
Problem solving sessions test initiative and ingenuity. Children work in small teams to solve puzzles and complete set tasks - it’s a great way for your child to get to know their new friends really well. By the time they finish they’ll have an appreciation and understanding each individual’s ability (including their own!) when it comes to planning, communicating and making decisions – skills which are all key to achieving the objectives of each task.
Raft Building
Down to the water’s edge and your challenge is to design and build a robust and working raft. There’ll be a number of components available, including large plastic barrels, ropes and poles. Our instructors can give as much or as little support as they'd like but it’s a great teamwork exercise and will help your child improve their communication, problem-solving and decision-making. Once rafts are ready to launch, the fun begins on the water!
Rifle Shooting
Shooting our lightweight air rifles tests individual skill and requires high levels of concentration and physical control. Children need to control their breathing, keep a steady hand, concentrate hard and focus on accuracy. Do all this, and there’s a good chance of being rewarded with the success of a good score!
Sensory Trail
The sensory trail is a challenge in more ways than one. During the activity your child will negotiate a series of obstacles – blindfolded – with the other members of their group for guidance. It’s a challenge, which raises questions about our abilities and assumptions, and demands mutual trust, self belief, and effective communication to complete the course successfully.
Stand Up Paddleboard
SUP is a fun and relaxing way for kids to enjoy the water, build confidence on a board, and learn a new skill - this activity has quickly become a favourite!
Survivor
Once the ‘wilderness’ scenario is set, your child will need to develop effective teamwork to build their shelter. Basic navigational skills and meteorological skills help them decide the layout of the site. They will have to identify and share out the key responsibilities for getting each task completed, and communicate well to get the most from the project. Work as a team to build a wilderness shelter on centre, and learn how to stay warm and dry using whatever you can find. They'll need to plan their camp taking into account the prevailing weather and then share out the tasks to get the shelter built before time runs out...
Trapeze
Each stage of the trapeze counts as a success and requires courage and determination. The challenge starts with a climb to the top of a 6 metre pole. Next, a climb onto the small platform will require balance as your child stands to make that leap for the trapeze! It’s an exhilarating and heart-pounding activity that will give your child a very real sense of personal achievement. Weight limit: 150kg
Ambush
If you love hide and seek, you’ll adore Ambush which takes this popular group game and ramps it up an extra notch! After sundown children will split into small teams, with one team hiding within the centre grounds, leaving a trail for their competitors to follow. Great for developing strategic and team building skills. Ambush is usually run in the dark, and torches are advised. Available September to March
Archery Tag
Let the battle commence! Archery with a twist - you are aiming for each other! In this game of skill and teamwork you are equipped with foam-tipped arrows to battle it out in action packed games. You will do some basic skills training before entering the arena to see who comes out victorious! Available March to September
Balloon Splash
Each team completes a series of challenges or games to earn coins that will allow them to purchase items from a mystery box! Teams will then work closely together to create the best contraption to protect their water balloon from destruction.
Campfire
The ultimate way to enjoy the great outdoors as a group! Get hands-on constructing your campfire during the day, and it will be lit ready for you to enjoy in the evening. Sing, chat, play games or simply relax around the campfire, our team can cater for all ages in the idyllic settings of our campfires.
Campfire Marshmallows
Everyone's favourite campfire activity…. Marshmallow toasting! Gather around and toast your Marshmallows to perfection whilst enjoying songs, relaxation and games around the campfire
Cluedo
Team PGL need help to solve a great mystery onsite! Children are split into teams and given a map with locations of characters on, and a score card to find out who committed the crime! In their team they'll work to locate the character somewhere onsite and have a task to complete to receive information about the suspect. This game can take place in the evening, so torches are advised.
Creation Station
After a busy day in the great outdoors, our Creation Station session offers the perfect chance to relax and socialise with friends, while creating a keepsake to take home. Choose from a selection of arts and craft activities; from rock painting to creating friendship bracelets. The ideal way to unwind and flex your creativity!
Disc Golf
Your child will love trying their hand at this exciting, fast-paced sport in the great outdoors! A flying disc sport, players will take it in turns to throw a frisbee disc at a target as they make their way across a 9-holed disc course! The perfect introduction to both frisbee and golf, Disc Golf is the ideal way to incite a little healthy competition!
Disco
Time to party! A popular last night choice, children show of their moves to popular hits with “follow-the-leader” sessions, plus lots of unique PGL dances! A fun and sociable evening.
Movie Night
Lights, camera, action! Our on-centre cinema experience offers children the opportunity to chill out with friends after a long day of action-packed adventures, and enjoy a film! Perfectly coupled with a trip to the on-site shop to grab a movie snack!
Passport to the World
Hop aboard PGL airlines to take a trip around the world! Here, children are split into teams and given a map with a mixture of country flags located around the site. Each country has a plaque located on the point on the map. The plaques have questions to answer related to that country, which must all be answered correctly before returning to base. It might be dark when this activity takes place, so torches are advised.
PGL Tournament
At PGL Tournament guests will play a series of exciting team games and complete a selection of individual challenges to determine which team is the best! Challenges include: Basketball Shoot, Human Skittle and Ultimate Frisbee
Pool Party
Have a splash in our heated outdoor pool. Enjoy fun poolside games and music with your Groupie, and under the supervision of a PGL Lifeguard
Quiz
In teams, guests are set Q&A-style challenges with lots of interaction and plenty of variety to keep them motivated and to maximise their participation. As well as general knowledge, rounds may include dressing up, dancing and miming.
Silent Disco
Party the night away without the noise of a disco. Every guest has their own set of headphones, where guests can select music from a number of channels to find the tunes they enjoy. Then spend the evening dancing away with friends or trying to guess what song your friends are listening to.
Which Windmill Hill adventure will you choose?
From dipping your toe into a short and sweet Discover adventure, diving into the full multi-activity experience with Trailblaze or trying something extraordinary with an Epic specialist interest camp – there’s something for everyone at PGL Windmill Hill.
Which adventure will you choose?
DISCOVER! Adventures
Day camps, 1, 2 and 3 night stays jam packed with outdoor activities and new experiences.
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Netball
Calling all Netball fanatics! We've partnered with England Netball to provide the perfect mix of coached training sessions alongside classic PGL Multi-Activity. At the end of the week you'll even get a visit from an England Roses star or Super League player!
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Pony Beginner
Based at Boreatton Park or Windmill Hill you'll travel to our local riding centre to enjoy six half days of horse riding lessons, stable tasks and fun! For the other half of your break you'll be involved in classic PGL activities back at base - the best of both worlds! No previous experience required, but by the end of the week you can expect to have built up your abilities in the school and out hacking.
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EXPLORE! Adventures
4 to 7 night outdoor activity breaks. Our EXPLORE! Adventures offer longer stays, more activities, bigger challenges and plenty of fun!
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How to find Windmill Hill
Explore other locations nearby
Isle of Wight – Little Canada
Nestled between 56 acres of woodlands and the inlet waters of Wootton Creek, this unique centre on the Isle of Wight is bursting with challenging activities on land and water, and is instantly recognisable by its charming log cabins on the riverbank.
Explore Little Canada
Suffolk – Bawdsey Manor
This impressive mansion house is located on the Deben Estuary and has panoramic views across the Suffolk Heritage Coast. The centre has over 140 acres of beautiful grounds, packed with a huge range of adventure activities to inspire and engage you child.
Explore Bawdsey Manor
Surrey – Marchants Hill
With over 45 acres of beautiful grounds, Marchants Hill is a vibrant and bustling centre nestled in the ‘Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, within walking distance of the Devil’s Punchbowl. This centre offers the best of both worlds – green spaces and fantastic transport links!
Explore Marchants Hill
Your child is in safe hands at PGL. We go above and beyond to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our care.
Our long-standing dedication to safety has led to us holding over 15 governing and safety accreditations, and we voluntarily apply for Ofsted inspections to be on the Childcare Register.
Everything we do is built on five protective pillars:
Safe PeoplePeople are at the heart of all we do. From our ‘safer recruitment’ process (including enhanced DBS for all centre colleagues) to our in-depth training programmes, continuous development and supervision, we go the extra mile to ensure our guests are in the safest of hands.
Safe Places Our centres are continuously monitored, maintained and risk-assessed by dedicated teams to ensure our places are safe and secure, always. What’s more, ongoing investment in our locations is powering breakthroughs in guest comfort and satisfaction.
Safe SpacesWe believe adventure is for everyone. We’ve developed our spaces with SEND, accessibility and inclusivity in mind, and can make further adjustments for guests’ individual needs wherever possible – our goal is to deliver enriching experiences for all.
Safeguarding As the leader in our industry, we are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults in our care. Our teams are trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns and aware of their responsibilities to safeguard guests.
Safe Travels Our escorted travel service is offered to enable young people to travel further afield in a safe and supported manner. We also aim to ensure travel provision is adaptable to the needs of every child.
Safe People People are at the heart of all we do. From our ‘safer recruitment’ process (including enhanced DBS for all centre colleagues) to our in-depth training programmes, continuous development and supervision, we go the extra mile to ensure our guests are in the safest of hands.
Safe Places Our centres are continuously monitored, maintained and risk-assessed by dedicated teams to ensure our places are safe and secure, always. What’s more, ongoing investment in our locations is powering breakthroughs in guest comfort and satisfaction.
Safe Spaces We believe adventure is for everyone. We’ve developed our spaces with SEND, accessibility and inclusivity in mind, and can make further adjustments for guests’ individual needs wherever possible – our goal is to deliver enriching experiences for all.
Safeguarding As the leader in our industry, we are committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults in our care. Our teams are trained to recognise and report safeguarding concerns and aware of their responsibilities to safeguard guests.
Safe Travels Our escorted travel service is offered to enable young people to travel further afield in a safe and supported manner. We also aim to ensure travel provision is adaptable to the needs of every child.
What our adventurers are saying…
Testimonials
FAQ
What programmes are available at Windmill Hill?
We have three types of programmes that you can choose from at Windmill Hill. These are:
DISCOVER! Adventures
EXPLORE! Adventures
TRAILBLAZE! Specialist Adventures
Our camps for your TRAILBLAZE! Specialist Adventures include:
What facilities are available at Windmill Hill?
We have the following facilities available at Windmill Hill:
- Lounge/Bar
- Shop
- Vending Machines
- Swimming Pool
- Wifi
- Accessible Bedrooms
- Sports Pitches/Courts
- Table Tennis
- Car Park
What's included in the cost of a PGL adventure?
Included in your child’s adventure is:
- Accommodation
- Food & Drinks
- Activities
- Equipment
Do you cater for specific dietary requirements?
Yes, we can cater for many dietary requirements at our PGL centres. We are able to deliver catering provision for dietary requirements as specified by culture, religion and medical concerns. We regularly provide meals for a wide variety of needs including coeliac, diabetic, food allergies and vegetarian/vegan. If your child has any dietary requirements then it’s best to get in contact with your party leader or a member of the PGL team to discuss their needs.
Can I contact my child while they're staying at Windmill Hill?
Absolutely! If your child has brought a mobile phone with them then you can call the during free time when they’re not taking part in our multi-activities, or you can call our centre if you need to speak to your child urgently.
Can I contact my child during their camp stay?
Absolutely! If your child has brought a mobile phone with them then you can call the during free time when they’re not taking part in our multi-activities, or you can call our centre if you need to speak to your child urgently.
Does my child need to bring money?
Your child doesn’t need to bring any money to camp as our adventures are fully inclusive. However, depending on your adventure there could be excursion days where your child might want to grab a snack. There’s also a Gift Shop on-site selling sweets and small souvenirs
We recommend pocket money of around £5 a day, plus between £5 and £20 to purchase gifts which will be on sale all week. And don’t worry about your child spending it all because we operate a secure system for holding and issuing pocket money in accordance with parents’ wishes.
Is parking available at Windmill Hill?
Yes, parking is available on-site.
What safety measures are in place at Windmill Hill?
Here’s how we keep you and your children safe at Windmill Hill:
- Safe People: Staff are fully trained, DBS checked, and continually assessed.
- Safe Places: All buildings are risk assessed, we have segmented accommodation, secure perimeters and strict equipment standards.
- Safe Spaces: All encompassing environments, language inclusivity, and SEND trained staff.
- Safeguarding: Staff are trained in safeguarding, helping them to spot risks and act quickly.
- Safe Travels: All of our travel partners are vetted to make sure they have safety management systems in place, and we ensure travel is adaptable to the needs of all children.
