Duke of Edinburgh Award – Walking & Camping in Hampshire
Cedar Valley is a peaceful countryside site in the heart of the Meon Valley, Hampshire – and an ideal base for young people completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition.
Whether your group is undertaking a Bronze, Silver, or Gold DofE expedition, the surrounding countryside offers varied terrain, genuine challenge, and the kind of rural independence that sits at the heart of the award.
Our camping pitches, mapped walking routes, and GPX downloads mean that leaders and participants can arrive prepared, and young people can get on with the experience of navigating, cooking, and camping for themselves.
Why Cedar Valley Works for DofE Expeditions
Located near East Meon in the South Downs National Park, Cedar Valley sits within a landscape that’s well-suited to DofE walking expeditions. Participants will encounter a mix of:
- Open farmland and gentle hill climbs
- Quiet woodland trails
- Country lanes and footpaths between villages
- Varied navigation challenges appropriate for Bronze through to Gold level
The area is remote enough to feel like a genuine expedition, while remaining accessible for leaders and parents to drop off or collect participants without difficulty. The A272 and A32 provide straightforward road access from most of Hampshire and the surrounding counties.
Suitable for Bronze, Silver and Gold
Bronze DofE
Our shorter walking routes cover five to six miles with modest elevation, well-suited to Bronze participants completing their two-day, one-night practice or qualifying expedition. The terrain is manageable, and the campsite provides a calm, supportive overnight environment.
Silver DofE
Silver participants can extend their routes and incorporate more challenging sections of the Meon Valley, accessing longer multi-day itineraries from the same base. The medium walking route at 6.2 miles offers a solid foundation, and leaders can use the GPX files as a starting point for planning longer circuits that take in the South Downs Way.
Gold DofE
Gold level participants need at least three days in the field. Cedar Valley’s location within the South Downs National Park places groups within striking distance of longer routes and more demanding navigation sections. Contact us to discuss multi-night expedition stays.
DofE Camping at Cedar Valley
Our camping fields are available for DofE groups looking for a straightforward, well-located overnight stop. Participants pitch their own tents, prepare their own meals, and manage their own kit – exactly as the award requires.
There are no unnecessary comforts to distract from the experience, but participants do have access to toilet facilities and water on site, making it a practical and safe overnight location for expedition use.
What’s included for camping groups:
- Grass camping pitches in a quiet rural field
- Toilet and water access
- Space for the group to debrief, cook, and rest
- Quiet surroundings – no clubs, bars, or noisy facilities nearby
- Easy access to walking routes directly from the site
Walking Routes & GPX Downloads
All routes start and finish at Cedar Valley, making them ideal for participants setting off on foot from the campsite. Leaders can download GPX files in advance to review or adapt routes for their group’s level and expedition plan.
Routes available:
- Short Walk – 5 miles
- Medium Walk – 6.2 miles
- Long Walk – 10.7 miles
GPX files can be loaded into Komoot, Garmin devices, AllTrails, or any standard GPS navigation app. Full instructions are available on our walking holidays page.
For Schools, Scout Groups & Youth Organisations
We welcome group bookings from schools, scout groups, cadet forces, youth clubs, and other organisations running Duke of Edinburgh expeditions in Hampshire.
We understand that DofE groups have specific requirements; arrival and departure logistics, supervision arrangements, and the need for participants to operate independently within a safe and managed environment. We’re happy to talk through what your group needs before you book.
For group enquiries, please contact us directly and we’ll get back to you promptly.
What to Expect at Cedar Valley
| What Cedar Valley Offers | Why it matters for DofE |
|---|---|
| Rural camping field | Participants experience genuine outdoor independence |
| Toilets and water on site | Meets DofE safety and welfare requirements |
| Mapped routes from the gate | No transport needed between campsite and walk start |
| GPX downloads for all routes | Leaders can plan and verify routes in advance |
| Quiet, car-free setting | No distractions - participants focus on the expedition |
| Close to East Meon village | Emergency access and resupply if needed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cedar Valley offers camping pitches within the Hampshire countryside, with toilets and water on site. Participants manage their own tents, meals, and kit, which aligns with the self-sufficiency required by the DofE expedition section. We welcome Bronze, Silver, and Gold groups.
We have three mapped routes starting and finishing at the site: a 5-mile short walk, a 6.2-mile medium walk, and a 10.7-mile long walk. All routes come with GPX downloads compatible with Komoot, Garmin, AllTrails, and other navigation apps. Leaders can adapt these routes or use them as a planning reference for longer expedition circuits.
Yes. Practice and qualifying expeditions are both welcome. Many groups use Cedar Valley for both, as it gives participants familiarity with the terrain and campsite before their assessed expedition.
Cedar Valley is a licensed campsite and meets the requirements for an overnight stop on a DofE expedition. If your organisation’s DofE manager requires any specific information about the site, we’re happy to provide it – just get in touch.
Group bookings are handled directly. Please use the contact form or call us to discuss your group’s dates, numbers, and requirements before booking. We’ll confirm availability and talk through any logistics.
Yes. The Meon Valley location places Cedar Valley within or immediately adjacent to the South Downs National Park, making it excellent territory for DofE expeditions that require navigation across varied rural landscapes.
The site and surrounding routes are appropriate for all levels. Bronze groups benefit from the shorter, more accessible routes. Silver and Gold participants can plan longer multi-day itineraries using the site as a base or overnight stop. Contact us if you’re planning a multi-night Gold expedition and we can discuss what works best.