Oak-Framed Activity Barn for Walton Firs
Creating a sustainable, multi-use facility for young people in Surrey
Walton Firs is a charitable activity centre dedicated to providing outdoor learning and development opportunities for young people. To strengthen its facilities, the foundation commissioned the construction of a 74m² oak-framed activity barn, designed to serve as both a training space and storage hub.
We were chosen to design and manufacture a bespoke frame that would complement and settle well into the site’s woodland backdrop.
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The Client: Walton Firs
Walton Firs is a charitable foundation that provides outdoor education and residential experiences for more than 20,000 young people each year. Its 50-acre site in Surrey offers woodland, grassland and activity spaces that support teamwork and confidence building.
As a charity, Walton Firs is committed to keeping costs low while continually improving its facilities. Developments such as the new activity barn ensure the centre can deliver inclusive opportunities for schools, youth groups, and community organisations.
Their Challenge
Walton Firs needed a new facility that could serve multiple purposes while fitting sensitively into its green belt location. The building had to provide an all-weather activity space for groups of young people, while also accommodating essential storage for outdoor equipment.
Budget was a key consideration, with the charity needing to keep costs low without compromising quality.
Planning requirements added another layer of complexity, requiring careful design to ensure compliance while maintaining simplicity.
Our Solution
Oak was the natural choice for Walton Firs’ new activity barn. Its strength and longevity ensured a lasting structure, while its warm aesthetic blended well into the surrounding woodland.
‘Round Wood have a good team with whom I can develop the design. They have always delivered on time and to budget, which can’t be said for all their competitors.’
The barn’s frame was crafted using traditional methods, including fully planed oak and mortise and tenon joints, providing an easy assembly and providing Walton Firs with a dependable and versatile facility.
Project Journey
The project began in August 2021 with a permitted development application, allowing work to move ahead without delay. Construction of the oak frame and full build took place from February to July 2022, where we made sure progress stayed on schedule and within budget.
A full planning application was later submitted in January 2023 and approved in October. The build itself was largely straightforward, with only minor remedial work required on the weatherboarding above the door section. Compared with previous experiences with other suppliers, Walton Firs noted how smoothly the process ran, praising us for our reliability and attention to detail.
Walton Firs’ Perspective
Walton Firs praised us for our collaborative approach and ability to deliver on time and within budget. Something they felt set the team apart from other suppliers. The design process was also extremely straightforward, with the team offering practical guidance at every stage.
Their advice to others considering similar projects: keep the design simple and let the timber structure speak for itself.
The Bespoke Oak-Framed Barn
The completed build has quickly become a valuable asset to Walton Firs. Designed as a flexible space, it now serves multiple roles.
‘Feedback from staff and visitors has been very good – it is a valuable asset to the centre […] The building fits in very well with its location and provides an effective facility as a multi-use activity barn, training room and at times a nursery.’
Most importantly for the charity, the project was delivered for less than £1,000 per square metre, making it both cost-effective and sustainable, and sure to support young people and community groups for years to come.
Choosing Us for Your Next Project
We hold over 30 years’ experience in crafting oak-framed buildings, using traditional joinery techniques and sustainably sourced timber. Our portfolio includes oak barns, garages, leisure buildings, and bespoke structures of all scales. Based in East Sussex, we provide a nationwide service, supplying both private and commercial clients with high-quality oak frames they can always trust.
Thinking about an oak-framed building for your own site?
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
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