At Thistledown we have a number of sites available for private events such as wedding receptions, private parties and group camps. Privately hiring a site gives you exclusive use of the site as well as access to all 70 acres of Thistledown.

The upper site is most accessible: it is all on the flat and free-draining. There is a mown out field with a fire pit that can accommodate a large marquee and games area. Tent pitches are right beside this; individually mown out amongst an elderflower orchard. There is ample car parking 20 metres from the mown field. The site can comfortably hold 200 people.

The lower sites are also available for private events, and whilst less accessible, they are perfect for green events. There is one main lower site and two smaller adjacent sites (ideal as sleeping areas or hiding groups of children!). All three are hired as one. We do not allow vehicular access to the lower sites, except under supervision for event set-up. A separate car park is located 3 minutes walk away for your guests. A trolley is provided for equipment, or for a fee tractor rides can be used to ferry people and luggage. The lower sites can very comfortably hold 200 people.

We also have a beautiful, sheltered viewing area with tables that is available for day/ evening hire for birthday parties, BBQs, talks and so on. This site is normally open to public use but you can privately reserve it.

For events requiring electricity a generator will need to be hired. We can supply a small one and have contacts for larger generators. The sites already have benches and seating, and we also have many contacts for additional requirements. We also have contacts for marquees, hog roasts and catering and so on.

Facilities at Thistledown are green and basic. Our own spring water is available from taps on both sites. Composting toilets will be complete on both sites by early August. There is a solar shower tent on the lower site. Your guests can bring their own, or pay a deposit to use ours (numbers are limited). We are constructing more permanent green showers, which should be ready for Spring. Bales urinals for gents are provided on both sites.

To privately hire one site prices depend on the time of year, please enquire. At certain times of the year it may not be possible to hire a site for a single night. Additional nights cost £200. Wood can be supplied at £80 a trailer load/ £10 a barrowful, or you are welcome to bring your own. We ask you not to collect it from the site as we have a number of dedicated hibernacula for snakes and slow worms, and in addition we maintain a policy of leaving fallen timbers for fungi and woodland nutrition.

Upon booking we will require a deposit of £100 (included as part of the total hire cost). If you should have to cancel this will be returned to you if we are able to re-book the site. It is best to contact us to discuss the cost of generators/ catering/ marquees and so on.

We ask you and your guests to please be considerate during your stay at Thistledown. Amplified music must be turned off at midnight, acoustic music can continue afterwards (excluding drum circles- sorry!). Attendance is strictly by invitation only and must not exceed 200 people. The site must be left clean and tidy (please sort recycling rather than throw everything in together). Any site damage will be charged for.