Part of ifes

Your accommodation choice will affect how you navigate the site for the conference, as we have two options: Camping (self–catered) Castle (catered)

Castlewellan Forest Park has incredible facilities for us to use, whether you decide to camp or to stay in the Castle.

Accommodation

Camping (£95 earlybird)

Looking forward to having the peak festival experience at Equip, sleeping under the stars and admiring God’s creation? Camping is for you!  With space for over 200 people to camp, borrow a tent and be excited for lots of fun!  To book yourself this, you don’t need to know yet how many of you are camping or where you’ll find a tent, but it will be down to you to sort this out.

Divided into regions, so that you can camp, hang out and share meals with those from CUs you know, we’ll make camping as easy as possible for you.  There’ll be good toilets, showers, washing sink facilities and also electric beside the site, so that you don’t have to depend on portable loos or past wild camping experience!  We’ll also have 2 rooms to chillout in, particularly if the weather is wet, as well as the cafe and coffee shop 2 minutes walk away.

The Castle (£195 earlybird)

Dislike camping? Never fear, the Castle is near! Come to Equip and sleep indoors with full catered accommodation. No need to worry about cooking or cleaning, but wake up overlooking a beautiful lake ready to start the day. Indoor catered option includes bed and bathroom facilities, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner in a large dining room. Share a room with friends from CU and enjoy making new friends in comfort!

 

Food

If you’re indoors in the castle you’re sorted – just let us know what medical requirements or intolerances you have when you book.  Please help us serve the Castle team well, and do not put down things on your form that are just preferences – medical conditions only.

If you’re camping there are three or four options to make your life easier!  

1. Talk with your CU committee about sharing meals together as a CU
2. Talk with your regional Staffworker who may have plans for a central shared cooking and chillout gazebo for your region on the campsite!
3. Near to the campsite is a small cafe that serves hot and cold food, as well as drinks at reasonable prices.  There is also a coffee shop beside the cafe in the courtyard near the car park.
4. Castlewellan Town is well equipped with several chippys/chippers, a Chinese take–away, two pizzerias, a Spar, a fresh food centre, 2 daytime cafes and several nicer restaurants.  To get to a larger shop like Tesco or Lidl, is a 7km drive into Newcastle.

The program allows plenty of time for you to cook together and still have time to spare, or to walk into Castlewellan.

There is no ATM on site, and although our bookstall and cafe near the main marquee will take card payments, you would be better to bring cash with you, or get some out in Castlewellan.