Grayhill Living History Camp | GB-IVS 12.2 | 2026-06-01 - 2026-06-19 | RENO,CULT,FEST | Age: 18 - 99

The Grayhill project is based in a recreated medieval village near Chepstow in Monmouthsire. The village has been in the process of being restored and rebuilt by the host project (Grayhill Conservation and Interpretation Group) since the mid-1980s. Renovation of the entire 15.5 acre site to its late 16th early 17th century condition began in 1987. There are 30 fields in the 15 acres which have been returned to their historical land uses, hay meadows, pasture, woodland, arable, gardens and orchards.

Work: The camp covers three weeks and involves in the first two weeks the restoration of an early 17th century agricultural landscape as an educational resource. This year the main tasks will be completing the construction of a wood store and repairing gates (mostly carpentry work) plus preparation work for the Living History event such as path clearance. In the third and last week the site will be holding its annual Living History display for schools. Around 40 volunteer experts in period costume will demonstrate life in the English countryside in 1599. A variety of skills from dyeing to cooking, haymaking to charcoal burning will be shown. Volunteers taking part in this week will be supplied with period costumes and work with a small group of English experts at one of the activities.

Accomodation and food: Facilities are very basic – there are no showers on site, you will be living in tents, and cooking will be done over open fires. Composting toilets are on site. Visits will be organised to the local swimming pool where there is a shower option. There is no piped water or modern facilities on the site and hot water is limited.

Location: Chepstow

Location and Leisure: LOCATION: The camp is located 5 miles from Chepstow (Monmouthshire) in Wales. LEISURE: Swimming trips will be organised, and volunteers can play bowls in the garden.

Airport: BRS

Train/Bus station: Chepstow bus station and Severn Tunnel train station

Requirements: HOSTING FEE: For IVS/VAP to run a programme of voluntary work projects in Britain we need to ask all volunteers participating in our projects to pay a hosting fee of £95 GBP. The fee should be paid in advance at this link in our website: https://ivsgb.org/fee-for-short-term-uk/ IMPORTANT: Please note that volunteers will only receive a final confirmation of their placement after we have received notice of the payment of this fee.

They will be provided in the Information Sheet

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 95 GBP

All foreign nationals travelling to the UK need to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). You cannot enter the UK without it. Please check the following link on how to apply for it: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta