Tracing the Story of Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse as it Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Published on: 16 Apr, 2025
Updated on: 16 Apr, 2025

For 20 years the Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse has provided reasonably priced wardened accommodation for up to 11 visitors, similar to, but more basic than a youth hostel.

The Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse.

Run entirely by volunteers, being on the North Downs Way and Sustrans cycle route 22 between Guildford and Farnham, it’s an ideal stop off for travellers passing by, some of whom who may even be on a pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury!

It was the Godalming Friends of the Earth group who conceived the idea of an environmental project within a traditional Surrey barn.

A search began for a suitable property and a separate organisation, Project Oasis North Downs, was formed to spearhead this.

Home Farm Barn at Puttenham had been bought by Guildford Borough Council and a councillor suggested its possible use could be providing accommodation for ramblers.

Work begins to convert the barn into overnight accommodation.

Project Oasis North Downs took an interest and negotiations with the council began, and about £140,000 was raised to enable the project to come to fruition.

The first walkers and cyclists were welcomed in May 2005 for overnight stays, with the official opening of the barn, by Dame Penelope Keith, taking place on June 23 that year.

Volunteers keeping busy at the barn.

Much has happened over the intervening years at the barn, whose basic structure is looked after by Guildford Borough Council, while regular volunteer work parties undertake some of the other day-to-day jobs to keep it running. These are agreeable social occasions too.

August 2011 and full occupancy in the bike shed as these happy cyclists enjoy all the barn has to offer.

The barn was busy with cyclists during National Bike Week in 2008, and in 2011 a sustainably sourced oak bench, beautifully carved by Puttenham resident Pat Williams, was installed in the barnyard, in memory of former treasurer David Kirk.

Over many years, Martin Taplin’s very popular Round the Hog’s Back annual bike rides have introduced numerous new visitors to the barn.

Walking through the Puttenham hop gardens.

In May 2015 the barn’s 10-year anniversary was celebrated with a guided walk through the Puttenham hop gardens, led by Bill Biddell of the Hampton Estate, followed by a tea party at the barn.

During the barn’s first 12 years of operation it was affiliated to the Youth Hostel Association, who looked after its booking system.

The Independent Hostels UK organisation sign at the barn.

In 2017 the association ceased its collaboration with all independent camping barns, and it now has support from the Independent Hostels UK organisation.

A major change, instigated by Covid 19 and the need for better night-time segregation of its visitors, led to the removal of two of the three sleeping platforms and replace them with four sets of bunk beds.

One of the four sets of bunk beds.

Work took place between 2020 and 2021 while the barn remained closed due to national restrictions, reopening in July 2021, albeit with restricted access and measures in place to minimise the risk of infection to visitors and volunteer wardens alike.

With the introduction of the bunk beds, its name officially changed from Puttenham Eco Camping Barn to Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse.

The barnyard area – an oasis of beauty and calm.

Thanks to the dedication and knowledgeable care of its volunteers, the barnyard area has developed into an oasis of beauty and calm. It’s a wonderful space for visitors to relax after a day of cycling, walking or enjoying other active pursuits nearby.

April 2023 saw a number of visitor-friendly improvements inside and out, including new signage and slabs to make the kitchen and dormitory access easier and safer.

The barn’s volunteers are always eager to welcome new people to help share the load.

Volunteers are key to the running of the barn and its success.

This could be of a practical nature such as helping out at work parties or in the barnyard, or in one of the areas of admin such as secretary to the trustees.

Younger people in particular can benefit from gaining insights into a more environmentally aware view of the world.

Trustee Chris Meeks, said: “Now is a wonderfully exciting time in the history of Puttenham Barn. So good to celebrate 20 years welcoming and accommodating cyclists and walkers there, situated as it is alongside the North Downs Way and Pilgrims’ Way – real environmentalism in action!

“Yet as a charity we are also looking ahead, seeking to build new or closer relationships with other outdoor or environmental organisations for the benefit of all at the same time as making ourselves better known to the increasing number of pilgrims passing our doors. If you know anyone who enjoys outdoor recreation, please encourage them to discover our venture.”

The barn is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a ceilidh on Saturday, May 17, from 8pm to 11pm. Featuring the Tanners Hatch Ceilidh Band, it’s taking place at Puttenham Marwick Hall, School Lane GU3 1AS.

All welcome, tickets £17.50 (concessions available) to include vegetarian snacks, bring your own drinks. To book call 01483 424767 or email to ceilidh@puttenhambarn.uk

Volunteer co-ordinaor Tish Piwowarek said: “What better way to celebrate 20 years and say thank you to the volunteers that made it all possible, than to throw a big party and dance the night away?

“We are hoping to raise funds too with a raffle of amazing prizes, and make sure that Puttenham Barn can keep going for another 20 years.”

Trustee Morag Warrack added: “I’m delighted that this fundraising celebration is taking place.

“The barn is uniquely a rustic oasis in an increasingly ‘branded’ world, and it lives up to its original purpose of providing accommodation for walkers and cyclists who want to enjoy the countryside under their own foot power, as countless generations have done.

“I encourage everyone to come along to have fun and enjoy the friendly welcoming community that makes the barn so special.”

Click here for Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse’s website.