Get ready for an unforgettable adventure

Welcome to Marmalade MTB’s brand-new Mountain Biking Stayover Camp – the ultimate two-day, one-night immersion into the thrilling world of off-road cycling for young adventurers! We’re really excited about this unique experience at the fantastic Hurtwood Hideout, nestled right here in the stunning Surrey Hills.

This isn’t just about riding bikes; it’s about building confidence, picking up essential adventure skills, and making brilliant memories in a safe, supportive, and incredibly fun environment. This camp is designed to ignite their passion and equip them with outdoor skills for life, both on and off the trails.

What to expect: Two days of adventure & learning

Our friendly, professional Marmalade MTB guides will lead small groups, ensuring every child receives plenty of personalised attention and encouragement. Alongside exhilarating rides, we’ve packed the camp with interactive workshops focused on outdoor adventure skills.

Day 1 Highlights:

• Arrival & welcome: Settle into the Hurtwood Hideout with a warm welcome, snacks, and a brief introduction
• Mountain bike briefing & core skills: Get set for the trails with essential bike checks and a review of fundamental riding techniques
• Guided ride: Holmbury Hill: A full day exploring amazing woodland trails, with navigation, route planning, and contingency skills integrated naturally into the ride
• Camp life & evening fun: Pitch tents or settle into your rooms before enjoying a communal barbeque or campfire dinner, followed by games and campfire stories

Day 2 Highlights:

• Breakfast & refuel: Start the day right with a delicious breakfast at the Hideout
• Trailside repairs & essential kit: Get hands-on with an interactive session covering basic trailside repairs and what essential gear to pack
• Guided ride & skills practice: A day of riding different trails to consolidate new skills and practise staged trailside repairs and put your navigational skills to the test

Each session is packed with adventure, exploration, and plenty of smiles as we discover the incredible Surrey Hills. We pride ourselves on creating a super relaxed and sociable atmosphere where young riders feel comfortable, confident, and ready to explore!

Qualified, experienced and fully insured guides

Your children will be in the safe and capable hands of our experienced and fully qualified local guides/instructors who have full first aid training, enhanced DBS checks, and inside-out knowledge of the Surrey Hills trails.

To ensure the best experience at this mountain bike camp, the camp is open to regular off-road riders who already enjoy riding off-road on varied terrain and are looking to refine their skills and explore more flowing trails.

Our expert guides will tailor the exact trails and coaching to the group’s ability, ensuring an engaging and exhilarating session for all.

The camp is open for 9-14-year-olds. We then divide our rides into appropriate age groups: 9-11 and 12-14.

Unsure if this is right for your child? Then read on below or for more detail see the “Is this for my child” section.

New to off-road

If this trail looks more like the kind of thing your child is used to – fairly wide, smooth trails – then our ‘new to-off-road’ MTB sessions will help them make progress towards the level this camp is aimed at.

Regular off-road cyclist/rider

If your child has confidently and happily ridden a trail like this before, with its bumps and dips and small obstacles, they should be fine to join us on this two day camp adventure.

This summer camp will be hosted at the fantastic Hurtwood Hideout on Holmbury Hill. This newly re-opened outdoor enthusiasts woodland retreat offers:

• Free parking: Convenient and ample space for drop-off and pick-up
• On-site cafe: A tranquil woodland setting for parents and siblings to relax with a hot or cold drink and snack
• Toilets: Readily available facilities
• Bike shop: A convenient place for any last-minute needs or inspiration!

For your child’s safety and enjoyment on the trails, a mountain bike with knobbly tyres, working gears, and effective brakes is essential for this summer camp. The Surrey Hills trails involve uneven, loose, and sometimes muddy terrain, so road bikes, hybrid bikes, or bikes without suitable tyres are not appropriate.

Your child will need a proper off-road-ready mountain bike. It needn’t be expensive, but should be up to the job:

• Very cheap “supermarket” bikes may look like mountain bikes but may be unsuitable
• Suspension isn’t necessary, but if present, it should be functional and wobble-free
• Tyres must be grippy and in good condition
• Brakes must be completely effective at stopping both wheels with a child’s hands using the levers
• Gears should work without skipping or jumping
• The bike should fit your child safely

Examples of child mountain bikes:

No suspension:

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Front suspension (hardtail):
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Front and rear suspension (full):

Correct fitting bikes

It is essential for your child’s safety and overall experience that their bike is the correct size. If the seatpost is clamped below the minimum recommended insertion mark, then the bike is too small for your child. This is an example of what to look for on their bike:

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Please note: All bikes will be inspected by our guides prior to the session. Any bike that doesn’t meet our basic safety standards or isn’t deemed suitable for off-road mountain biking will unfortunately not be permitted to take part in the session.

If you’re unsure whether your child’s bike is suitable, please do not hesitate to contact us before booking to discuss it, and we’ll be happy to help.

Ensure your child’s bike is in full working order and ready to ride.

Bike hire:

• Taller riders: If you child or teenager is tall and would suit adult sizes then bikes can be booked via the ‘Bike Hire‘ section direct with our friends at Just Pedal, based at the Hurtwood Hideout
• Smaller riders: If your child or teenager definitely requires a youth sized bike, then please contact us for further options

The adventure awaits

Get ready for two action-packed days of mountain biking, essential outdoor skills, and unforgettable fun at the Hurtwood Hideout in the Surrey Hills. Here’s a sneak peek at what your child will get up to:

Day 1: Arrive, ride, & navigate

Please note: the timings are estimated and could change due to factors that could impact the day-to-day itinerary e.g. weather, punctuality of camp participants, mechanicals etc…

Morning: Getting started & hitting the trails

• 09:30 – Arrival & check-in: A warm welcome at the Hurtwood Hideout! Drop off overnight bags and get settled
• 09:30 – 10:00 – Welcome meet & greet: Parents and children meet the Marmalade MTB and Hurtwood Hideout teams, enjoy a light snack, and get a quick intro briefing
• 10:00 – 10:15 – MTB briefing & bike checks: Time to get serious (but still fun!). Essential bike checks and handovers for any hired bikes
• 10:15 – 11:00 – Rider review & core skills: Fine-tune those riding skills out on the trails
• 11:00 – 13:00 – Guided ride (pt.1): Holmbury Hill! Head out for an exhilarating guided ride across the fantastic Holmbury Hill

Afternoon & evening: Outdoor adventure skills & campfire fun

• • 13:30 – 14:15 – Lunch & refreshments: Refuel with a delicious lunch back at the Hideout café
  • 14:15 – 16:15 – Guided ride (pt.2) and outdoor adventure skills (pt. 1): Back out for more superb riding on Holmbury Hill combined with basic navigation, route planning, and contingency planning – super useful skills for any outdoor adventure
  • 16:15 – 17:00 – Settle in: Pitch tents or get comfy in your rooms at the Hideout
  • 17:00 – 18:00 – Free time: Relax, unwind, or enjoy some chill-out time before dinner
  • 18:00 – 19:30 – Evening meal: Tuck into a tasty communal barbecue or campfire meal – proper camp vibes
  • 19:30 – 21:00 – Evening entertainment: Fun games and captivating campfire stories
  • 21:00 – 22:00 – Wind down: Free time before lights out
  • 22:00 onwards – Lights out

The adventure awaits

Get ready for two action-packed days of mountain biking, essential outdoor skills, and unforgettable fun at the Hurtwood Hideout in the Surrey Hills. Here’s a sneak peek at what your child will get up to:

Day 2: Repairs, riding, & ready for anything

Please note: the timings are estimated and could change due to factors that could impact the day-to-day itinerary e.g. weather, punctuality of camp participants, mechanicals etc…

Morning: Essential skills & more riding

• 08:30 – 09:00 – Breakfast: Start the day with a hearty breakfast, either from the café or around the campfire.
• 09.00 – 09.15 – Bike & kit checks: Quick checks to ensure everyone’s ready for the trails and discussion on what essential gear to pack of your rides.
• 09:15 – 12:00 – Guided ride (pt.1) with trailside repairs: We head out to explore further afield and introducing basic trailside repairs.
• 12:00 – 12:15 – Comfort and refreshment break.
• 12:15 – 12:45 – Basic bike maintenance & Q&A: A concluding session on basic bike maintenance and a Q&A to recap all the amazing skills learned over the two days so far.

Afternoon: Even more riding & farewell

• 12:45 – 13:15 – Lunch & refreshments: Enjoy a final delicious lunch back at the Hideout café.
• 13.15 – 13.30 – Bike & kit checks: Quick checks to ensure everyone’s ready for the trails.
• 13:30 – 16:00 – Guided ride (pt.2) & skills practice: Another fantastic guided ride across Holmbury Hill, incorporating practical staged trailside repairs and navigational exercises using OS maps and recommended apps.
• 16:30 – 16:45 – Home time: Participants head home, full of new skills, great memories, and a huge sense of accomplishment!

• To take part, the child will need to be active person who has the personal fitness to ride for at least 3 hours at a social and comfortable pace, with breaks
• They will be confident in riding bicycles and proficient with operating their bicycle in the correct manner
  • This is NOT a ‘bikeability’ or ‘learn how to ride‘ course or session
• The trails do include features such as roots and loose rocks, along with small rollable steps – all of which can be easily ridden or avoided
• This ride does contain undulating trails – and in places, climbs that may be challenging
• This ride requires a suitable mountain bike (Hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable)
  • See below for bike hire details or contact us if you are not sure what type of bike your child has
• If this ride sounds a little beyond their current skill and fitness level, please contact us and we’ll help you look at other options

We understand you’ll have questions about the practicalities of the Stay over Summer Mountain Bike Camp. Here are some answers to ensure you and your child feel fully prepared and confident about their time with us at the Hurtwood Hideout:

Camp Life & Daily Routine

• When are meals served? A hearty lunch and dinner are provided on Day 1, followed by breakfast and lunch on Day 2. These will be served at set times, as outlined in the “Camp Details” tab itinerary, either from the Hideout café or as a communal campfire meal. Snacks and drinks will also be available at designated times.
• Who is the responsible adult overnight? Your children will be looked after by the experienced Residential Manager and their team from the Hurtwood Hideout, who are on-site throughout the overnight stay. Our Marmalade MTB guides will also be present and supervising during all scheduled activities.
• How is supervision handled around campfires/evening activities? All evening activities, including any campfires, will be fully supervised by both the Hurtwood Hideout Residential Team and Marmalade MTB staff, ensuring a safe and fun environment for everyone.
• What are the lights-out arrangements? The itinerary includes designated free time before bed, with a “lights out” time clearly set at 22:00 (10 PM) to ensure all campers get a good night’s sleep, ready for the next day’s adventures.
• What happens if my child has an issue in the middle of the night? The Hurtwood Hideout Residential Manager and staff are on-site throughout the night. Should any child require assistance, a staff member will be available to help immediately. Clear instructions on who to approach and how to seek assistance will be provided upon arrival.
• Are there general housekeeping rules for the camp? Yes, we’ll have simple, clear ground rules to ensure everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable stay. These will cover keeping shared areas tidy, respecting other campers and staff, and general behaviour guidelines both inside the Hideout rooms and around the camping grounds. A brief overview will be given during the welcome briefing.

Wellbeing & Conduct

• Can my child use their mobile phone or other devices? We encourage campers to engage fully in the camp experience. While we understand the need for contact, we will have designated times and areas for mobile device use to ensure it doesn’t detract from activities or socialising. Further details will be provided at check-in.
• How is discipline handled? We promote a positive and respectful environment. Our staff are experienced in working with young people and will address any behavioural issues calmly and constructively, following our clear camp guidelines. We will communicate with parents if significant concerns arise.
• Do you encourage self-reliance and self-care? Absolutely! A key aim of our camp, particularly through the “life skills” workshops, is to foster independence and self-reliance. We encourage campers to take responsibility for their belongings, personal hygiene, and to participate in looking after the camp environment. Our staff are there to support and guide them, empowering them to grow in confidence in these areas.

This private area of Surrey is a special place, protected by the guardianship of a registered charity. Away from the public rights of way there is a vast network of unmarked mountain bike trails on private land. Through responsible and professional mountain bike leadership and coaching we are proud to be a supporting partner of Friends of the Hurtwood, with full permission to operate here.

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Marmalade MTB – 5559, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

• Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package.  Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Marmalade MTB.  

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here:  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made 

You can find out more about ABTOT here: https://www.abtot.com/

Please read before you book:

• Taller riders: If you child or teenager is tall and would suit adult sizes then bikes can be booked below direct with our friends at Just Pedal, based at the Hurtwood Hostel
• Smaller riders: If your child or teenager definitely requires a youth sized bike, then please contact us for further options

How to book a bike:

1. From the system below select the dates to match the open group ride you have booked with us
2. Select the 2 hour option
3. Select Hurtwood Hostel as the location
4. Select normal mountain bike
   • Electric mountain bikes are not permitted on these taster sessions
     • See UK government legislation further information
5. Choose the size of bike, based on your height
6. Go to checkout and complete the bike hire reservation for each rider

These fantastic bikes, and this booking system, are provided by our friends at Just Pedal – Hurtwood. If you have any questions or problems around booking your bike, just contact the Just Pedal team and they’ll help.