North Downs Backpacking and Navigation Adventure walking holiday
Carry everything you need, camp beneath the stars, and learn the skills to create your own adventures.
Have you ever looked at long-distance trails and thought, “I’d love to do that one day, but I wouldn’t know where to start?”
Our South Downs Backpacking & Navigation Adventure is the perfect introduction to multi-day backpacking. This two-day guided expedition has been designed for walkers who want to experience the freedom of carrying everything they need, sleeping under canvas and developing the confidence to explore further.
Throughout the adventure, you will learn essential outdoor skills including map and compass navigation, route finding, backpack packing, campcraft and travelling efficiently with a loaded rucksack. With the support of an experienced leader and a small friendly group, you will gain the skills and confidence needed to take on future walking adventures.
Whether you are preparing for your first long-distance trail, looking to improve your navigation skills or simply want to experience something new, this adventure provides the perfect opportunity to step into the world of backpacking.
Two days. One backpack. A whole new adventure.
The Finer details and daily schedule
The details
Schedule
Date: 25 – 26 May 2027
Meet and Start Time: 9:30am for a 10am start
Walk Leader / Host: Ian Henderson
Location
Meeting point:
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Car Parking: Chilham car park – Taylors Hill (CT4 8BZ)
Charges not included At the time of writing this car park is free.
Route
Terrain: Mixed of rolling hills and chalk tracks
Distance: Approximately 13 km / 8 miles (day 1) and 11.5km/ 7 miles (day 2)
Walk Type: Linear
how your days plan out
Pre-Adventure Backpacking Workshop
To help you feel fully prepared and confident before setting off, we will hold a pre-adventure backpacking workshop before the expedition.
Tuesday 22nd March 2027
(online option at 6:30pm on 31st August 2026)
Location: Iwade, Kent
Time: 6- 7:30pm
This informal preparation session gives you the opportunity to ask questions, meet fellow participants and ensure you are fully prepared for the adventure.
During the session, we will cover:
- How to pack your backpack efficiently.
- How to distribute weight comfortably.
- What equipment you really need (and what you can leave at home).
- Food planning and meal preparation ideas.
- Clothing and personal equipment.
- How to use the tents and camping equipment provided.
- The opportunity to practise pitching tents.
- Final preparation advice before heading to the South Downs.
This is a great opportunity to look at the equipment available, practise packing your backpack and build confidence before your first day on the trail.
Day 1 – Hassocks to Housedean
We begin our adventure at Hassocks Railway Station where we will meet the group, check equipment and make sure everyone’s backpack is correctly fitted before setting off.
As we join the South Downs Way, we will begin learning the foundations of successful backpacking. This includes how to pack your rucksack efficiently, adjust your load, pace yourself and walk comfortably whilst carrying weight.
Throughout the day, we will introduce practical navigation skills using an Ordnance Survey map and compass. You will learn how to identify landscape features, understand contours, take bearings and follow a route rather than simply relying on a guide.
After arriving at Housedean Campsite, we will set up camp and enjoy an evening outdoors. This is the perfect opportunity to practise campcraft skills, discuss equipment choices and relax with fellow adventurers.
Day Two – Housedean to Southease
After breakfast, we will pack away camp and prepare for the second stage of our journey.
Today provides the opportunity to put your navigation skills into practice. Working together as a group, participants will take turns navigating sections of the route using map and compass, with guidance and support from Ian throughout.
As your confidence grows, you will experience the satisfaction of travelling through the countryside using traditional navigation skills and understanding exactly where you are and where you are heading.
Our adventure finishes at Southease Railway Station, where participants can either catch the train back to Hassocks or organise lift-sharing arrangements through the event WhatsApp group.
By the end of the weekend, you will have completed your first guided backpacking expedition and developed skills that can be used on countless future adventures.
What to know about theSouth Downs Backpacking and Navigation Adventure
getting to your starting point
The adventure begins at Chilham Taylors Hill car Park (a short walk from the station), which has excellent rail connections from London and surrounding areas.
If travelling by car, parking is available close to the station.
At the end of the adventure, we finish at Lenham station, with direct links back to Chilham.
At the end of the event Participants can:
- Catch the train back to Chilham.
- Arrange lift sharing with other participants through the event WhatsApp group.
Full travel information will be provided before the event.
your kit list
- A 65ltr (approx) backpack
- Sleeping matt (we can provide this if you need to borrow one)
- Sleeping bag
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- warm layers
- Torch (preferably a head torch)
- Water bottles or hydration bladder
- Personal food and snacks
- Personal first aid kit
- Tent (we can supply this if required)
- Walking poles
What’s included by us
- A fully guided 2-day backpacking adventure
- Experienced outdoor leader throughout
- Pre-adventure backpacking preparation workshop.
- Online preparation session option.
- Practical map and compass navigation training.
- Opportunity to navigate sections of the route yourself.
- Backpack fitting and packing advice
- Campcraft guidance.
- Food preparation and planning advice.
- Route planning and safety management
- Tent hire (if required)
- Stove and cooking equipment if required.
- Campsite fees
What’s excluded
- Personal travel insurance (required)
- Getting to and from the event
- All equiptment metioned in the Your kit list section
Where will we be staying?
Accommodation Information
Our overnight stop will be at Dunn Street camping, located along the South Downs Way.
This provides the perfect base for our first night outdoors, allowing us to experience the enjoyment of camping whilst developing the skills needed for future backpacking trips.
Participants are welcome to bring their own tent and camping stove, or use equipment supplied by Boots On Adventures (subject to availability).
TripAdvisor review from our last event.
“(I) Had a brilliant couple of days with Boots on Adventure learning how to read maps and navigate on the South Downs. Ian is an excellent leader full of information. I’m not an overly fit person and he tailored the walk to match our pace and interests, so made the whole experience very enjoyable. We carried our tents and equipment, i was amazed I carried it all for the full length of the journey with lots of encouragement from Ian and lovely Sally. Ian is full of knowledge on history, camping and the edible wild plants. If you fancy hiking but don’t think you are fit enough I urge you to choose Boots on Adventure. Its not a marathon, its at your pace so you can enjoy the outdoors. The confidence it gives you is amazing”.
Karen B
Important notes
- If you have any COVID symptoms, please do not attend.
- We take photos during our walks for promotional and training purposes. If you prefer not to be included, just let us know on the day.
- Cancellation policy states: Please note that all deposits are non-refundable. If you cancel your walking holiday within 60 days of the start date, the full balance is payable and no refund will be issued. Cancellations made between 60 and 90 days before the start date will receive a 50% refund. For cancellations made more than 90 days in advance, you will receive a full refund of any payments made, minus any deposit paid.
Learn more aboutthe North Downs Way Backpacking and Navigation Adventure
Backpacking opens up a completely different way of experiencing the outdoors. Carrying everything you need encourages you to slow down, appreciate your surroundings and develop a deeper connection with the landscape.
However, many people are put off trying backpacking because they lack confidence with navigation, equipment or planning. This adventure has been created to remove those barriers.
During the weekend, you will learn practical skills that will stay with you for life—from reading a map and using a compass, to packing your rucksack efficiently and confidently spending a night outdoors.
This is not about speed or endurance. It is about learning, exploring and discovering what you are capable of.
Whether your goal is to complete a long-distance trail, improve your outdoor skills or simply enjoy a memorable adventure with like-minded people, the North Downs Backpacking & Navigation Adventure is the perfect place to start.
Join us for a weekend of learning, adventure and discovery as you take your first steps into the world of backpacking.
Boots On. Worries Off.