Woodland Track Repairs

Aim

Drainage & repair the Shining Cliff woodland access track to keep the hostel, community activities & outdoor learning accessible.

Help Us Repair the Woodland Access Track at Shining Cliff

In the ancient woodland of Shining Cliff Woods is a 400 metre private track leading from Jackass Lane to the woodland car park.

For many people, this track is the gateway to wellbeing, connection with nature, outdoor learning and a sense of community.

But over time, the track has become increasingly difficult to use.

Heavy rainwater run-off on the sloping sections creates trenches, potholes and muddy areas that are difficult — and frequently daunting — to drive through. Some areas hold standing water because they cannot drain properly, and although the track is regularly patched and topped up, the underlying drainage problems remain.

We want to change that.

Why This Matters

Although the track is private, it is used by thousands of people throughout the year, including:

• Guests staying at Shining Cliff Hostel
• Families and groups using the Beech Hut for the day
• Visitors staying at the Grith Pioneer woodland wild camp sites
• Local schools and charities running outdoor sessions
• Local wellbeing groups and community organisations
• Wildlings Pre-School who use the woods three days a week during term time for forest school
• Individuals accessing woodland wellbeing and nature connection sessions run by Woodland Connections

For many visitors, especially those unfamiliar with rough woodland tracks, the condition of the road can feel stressful and off-putting before they even arrive.

We believe access to nature should feel welcoming, safe and achievable.

The Project

We have booked a local contractor to begin improvement works in early June.

The work will include:

• Creating land drains (metre-square drainage pits filled with drainage stone) to reduce water run-off
• Improving drainage in problem areas
• Resurfacing the track and car park area with stone

The total project cost is at least £4,950 + VAT.

Because the track has shared ownership and rights of access, several groups are already contributing financially, including:

• Wildlings Pre-School, a charity based at Ambergate
• Shining Cliff Centre CIC
• The Grith Pioneers charity

But as small charities and not-for-profits, this is still a major expense.

A Community Effort

We know we have asked our community for support before, and we never take that lightly.

In recent years, people’s generosity has helped Shining Cliff Centre CIC replace the hostel windows — transforming the ventilation and reducing condensation in the bedrooms and bathrooms — and has helped the Grith Pioneers secure the two adjoining fields. We are also hopeful that the purchase of the additional woodland area will soon be finalised in the next few weeks.

Each improvement has had a lasting positive impact on the woodland, the hostel and the people who use these spaces.

Shining Cliff continues to grow because people genuinely care about protecting accessible nature-based spaces for community wellbeing, outdoor learning and connection.

This track project may seem less exciting than the woodland purchase or building improvements, but it is just as important. Without safe and reliable access, many people simply cannot reach the woods and the opportunities they provide.

How You Can Help

If you have stayed at the hostel, joined a woodland session, camped in the woods with Grith Pioneers, brought your children to activities here, or simply value having accessible community woodland spaces — we would be hugely grateful for your support.

Truly, every contribution helps.

Whether it’s:

• £2 towards the project cost
• Or simply sharing this page with others

…it all makes a real difference.

This project is about more than repairing a track.

It is about keeping Shining Cliff accessible to schools, families, charities, community groups and anyone who benefits from spending time in nature.

We are deeply grateful for every contribution, every share, and every bit of encouragement that helps us continue caring for this special place.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 7th July 2026 at 5:28pm