Kench Hill

A week in the beautiful High Weald countryside of Kent

Organisers Andy, Tim and Chris are delighted to be returning to cosy Kench Hill in May 2026 where we have exclusive use of this charming Grade II listed house set in a secluded rural location close to Tenterden in the heart of the Kent countryside.

We warmly invite you to bring your ideas, skills and talents to share, but more than this, we welcome you with a spirit of openness to become part of a supportive community in whatever way suits you for the week. That might mean offering a workshop or taking part in activities. Or you might just want to relax, unwind and make new friends. 

There will be all the usual features of an ECC event: Workshops where group members are supported in offering anything from fun and games to deeper discussions, meditations, teaching a skill, a walk, or a visit to a nearby attraction; daily Base groups where smaller circles have the chance to check in and discuss deeper themes; a Soirée where you can let your artistic talents glow (or – just as importantly – be a supportive member of the audience!); an informal Auction to raise funds to support bursaries for future events.

However you are present at the week, we strive to ensure that everyone is included and that each man is heard to promote the feeling of unconditional acceptance and sense of community that characterises our gatherings.

We actively welcome men who have not attended one of our events before – in fact we hold 25% of places until one month before the event starts for first-timers. Please note that places on the event can fill up very quickly, so please make a date for Saturday, 7th February to book! As extra support, there will be an optional buddy system in place where first time attendees will be able to talk to a more experienced member in advance of and during the event. You can indicate during the booking process whether you’d like to have a buddy, or to be a buddy to a newcomer.

The Venue

Kench Hill Centre is an 18th century residence and former nursing home, converted into an education centre for local schools. It has a welcoming, hostel-like feel, spread over three floors with plenty of rooms for workshops or chatting and relaxing. The cosy bedrooms have washbasins (communal bathroom facilities are in-corridor) with bunk beds: As with all our events you will be sharing a room with between 1 and 4 other men. Accessible rooms are available.

Behind the house there is a hectare of garden with lawns, picnic tables and a couple of ponds (home to chickens, ducks, donkeys and some very vocal Marsh frogs). There’s a fire-pit, which we’ll be using late nights, weather permitting.

Catering

We have contracted two professional cooks (who received rave reviews at last year’s event) to provide us with vegetarian meals.  Participants on the gathering will need to do their part, helping out on a rota basis: this usually involves helping set up the dining room, serving food and clearing up after meals. Breakfast will be self-service and lunches kept simple to allow everyone to enjoy the day out-and-about. 

There is space on the booking form to inform us of any particular dietary requirements.

Nearby places to visit

There are so many and even if you don’t bring a car, usually enough participants do and are willing to offer lifts.
Garden enthusiasts are spoiled for choice: There’s Sissinghurst Castle (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle), and its famous white garden, created by Vita Sackville-West, lover of Virginia Woolf;  Prospect Cottage (www.creativefolkestone.org.uk/prospect-cottage/) on the bleak promontory of Dungeness, created by gay activist, artist and film-maker Derek Jarman; and there’s the often-overlooked Great Dixter House with its stunning walled gardens (www.greatdixter.co.uk), home of Christopher Lloyd, the charismatic and sometimes controversial gardener.

For those drawn towards the sea, there are quaint coastal towns like Rye and beaches at Fairlight.

For heritage railway enthusiasts there’s the smallest public railway in the world (www.rhdr.org.uk) as well as one of Britain’s most loved and original heritage lines (kesr.org.uk) all within easy reach.

Sissinghurst

Prospect Cottage

Rye

Fairlight beach

Organisers

Your organising team is Andy Paterson, Tim Goddard and Chris O’Malley.

Andy Paterson

Tim Goddard

Chris O'Malley

For further information please contact us using the form at the bottom of this page:

Chris O’Malley (for enquiries about bookings)

Andy Paterson (for enquiries about sleeping accommodation, dietary and anything else)

Essential Information

Booking: Places on the event can fill up very quickly (but note that we hold 25% of places until one month before the event starts for first-timers to ECC events). Make sure you are signed up to the ECC Newsletter so that you are informed if there are any amendments to this event.

Venue: Kench Hill Centre, Appledore Road, Tenterden, Kent TN30 7DG www.kenchhill.co.uk

Dates: Friday 22rd May – Friday 29th May 2025.  Suggested arrival times will be confirmed in the joining instructions but registration is likely to be around 5 pm.

Nearest shops: In Tenterden, a small local town 2 miles away, about a 10-minute drive. Lots of little shops, cafes, pubs and a Waitrose.

Alcohol: There is no bar at the venue but participants are permitted to bring their own. You can indicate during the booking process if you would prefer to share an alcohol-free bedroom space.

Public transport: Nearest rail stations are Ashford (high speed trains from London St Pancras can get you there in around 40 minutes, probably most convenient for people from the Midlands and North) or Headcorn (about an hour from London Bridge / Charing Cross stations). From Ashford, there are buses to Tenterden, and then a 2-mile walk, taxi, or we may be able to pick you up. A bookable taxi service from Headcorn is available. More transport details will be circulated in advance of the event to those who book.

Accessibility: The venue has a ground floor bedroom, which can accommodate one or two wheelchair users or men with mobility difficulties. There is a bathroom close by with shower, basin and toilet equipped with aids for people with disabilities.

All the rooms we will be using for our activities will be accessible to wheelchair users, including the big outbuilding, accessed by a wide, low-gradient ramp. The patio tables and sunbathing lawns are also entirely accessible, though if you wander into some areas of the gardens you may encounter some challenges. Please ask Andy Paterson if unsure. The venue has a comprehensive accessibility statement. www.kenchhill.co.uk/what-we-offer/facilities.

There is space on the booking form to inform us of any particular disability or access-related needs.