Have you dreamed of working on a little homestead where peace and community are always prioritised, and the worries of the modern day seem to just float away? Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse has been looking for you as much as you have been looking for Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse!
Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse is the real deal, created and run by volunteers, years ahead of the game, with its rainwater collection system, solar water heating, solar panels for electricity and a sturdy bike shed. It provides an almost-camping experience for guests, with strictly no cars on site (bar one space available for the volunteer warden), and no worries about juggling drenched gear in a cramped soggy space.
Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse is looking for a volunteer warden just like you.
Where is Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse located?
Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse is located near Guildford on the North Downs in Surrey. It’s excellently situated in the middle of the Pilgrims’ Way, snuggled at the foot of the Hog’s Back Road. Buzzards wheel overhead as the church bell chimes the hour. It’s a surprisingly peaceful spot considering it’s so near to Surrey towns and to the city. It’s mere minute’s walk to the pubs down the road and to the Pilgrims’ Way which runs almost 200km along the North Downs, from Winchester in the West to Canterbury in the East.
Hear it from the volunteers themselves.
Here are some memoirs from past and present volunteers who bring the place to life through their own words:
“I’ve volunteered here when European families have used it as a base for exploring London, when a scuba diver whose job was collecting golf balls from lakes needed an overnighter (who knew that was even a thing?) and most often when fascinating friendly folk just chat about their varied lives.
I find the simplicity and silence satisfying and alluring, but when I want to stretch, there’s plenty of good walking and the artist in me loves to stride out to the excellent Victorian Watts Gallery with its stunning, surprising chapel.
In the other direction is the old Farnham Maltings, Farnham Sculpture Park and Birdworld, and then again there’s modern (and old) Guildford.
In comparison to glamping spots which cost hundreds, I love the way this tiny cool corner of Surrey puts me back in connection with my own mind and body and my own history as a human. There’s an excellently equipped ‘vintage’ kitchen/dining area, back to rural village basics- but I can also pop across the road to the golf club for a cuppa or a beer!
Duties are never onerous, being such a small, simple bunkhouse; it sleeps only 11, cyclists and walkers get a discount, and the warden’s bed up the wooden steps in the office actually has its own nice ensuite (well, a private loo in a cupboard anyway!)”
A regular volunteer of many years’ standing says,
“Puttenham has always impressed me with its commitment to eco-living and sustainability while ensuring that hostellers enjoy a comfortable and convivial stay. I’ve been struck by how many hostellers over the years have commented on their delight in finding such a place. People in general are pleased to patronise a not-for-profit organisation that is run entirely by volunteers. We all need choices, and the Barn Bunkhouse shows the way that small, individual places not only encourage green tourism but can be equally enjoyable and comfortable, and they also help the local economy.
Surrey is a county known for its beautiful landscape and the Barn ensures that due to its budget prices, anyone can afford to visit and appreciate the countryside. This is an inclusive and welcoming place. It’s a real beacon of sustainable living and promotes the area in all the right ways. It would be a real loss to the area and to the visitors if it closed”.
Another volunteer says,
“It’s like joining a small, valued community and has always been a win/win situation. Help is always at hand from the local trustees and even the friendly neighbours. Over the years I’ve met incredibly interesting hostellers from all over the world who share their experiences as we dawdle over breakfast in the morning sun or savour a drink in the evening on the bench in the wildflower garden. Knowing that the hostel is run by volunteers makes the visitors very appreciative and keen to assist in its sustainability ethos. The hostel is easy to clean so it’s more like a holiday with a little housework, allowing plenty of time to explore the beautiful surroundings and places of interest while the barn is closed during the day. For me, the barn’s atmosphere of kindness and peace extends to wardens and hostellers making it a place where one is glad to be alive.”
The Nitty Gritty
So this sounds like something you would like to get involved with? Here is everything you need to know about what Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse is looking for in a volunteer, what an average day on the job would look like and how you can get involved.
The day-to-day job
- What tasks are you expected to complete? Opening and closing up the barn, welcoming guests, managing bookings, ensuring the health and safety of visitors, being on hand to answer questions, and completing light domestic duties.
- What hours would you generally work? The barn opens at 5 pm and guests must leave by 10 am. The warden has to be at the barn whilst guests are present. So typically, you would arrive a little before and depart a little while after those hours.
- Are meals provided? No – there is a fully equipped kitchen where guests and the warden can self-cater.
- Is there training before becoming volunteer-ready? Yes – there is an application form process with the usual safeguarding checks and then volunteers will attend a training day and stay at the barn.
Are you the perfect fit for the role?
- What skills do you look for in a warden? This opportunity would suit anyone who likes nature/the outdoors/ hiking or cycling and enjoys looking after guests.
Customer service is very important to us and we want to make sure everyone who stays at the Barn goes away happy - Is there a minimum or maximum stay as a warden? We have volunteer wardens who stay for a weekend, a week, sometimes more. We also have local wardens who are able to respond at short notice and warden just for one night.
- When do you have availability? We plan to open from April through to October so we have availability for wardens to volunteer by negotiation throughout that period.
How can you get involved?
To remain open Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse must have a good supply of volunteer wardens, and currently they a running short. So, if you would like to get involved with this little slice of Surrey heaven, volunteering to warden would be a great way to do so. There are other ways in which volunteers can support the bunkhouse too and there are regular socials if you find you’d like to become more connected. Here’s how to find out more about volunteering opportunities;
- Email Puttenham Barn Bunkhouse on support@puttenhambarn.uk
- Or visit their website for more details on the volunteer programme https://puttenhambarn.uk/support.html