The BEST way to keep in touch with any holiday updates, or news in general, is to receive our weekly newsletter which includes a devotional message and then any updates or information in the main body of the email.
We will update these FAQs as time goes on – do come back and check.
Do I need a visa?
Guests from certain countries may need to obtain a Visitor Visa before travel to the UK. You can check the visa requirements here.
What is the booking process?
All bookings will be processed in order of receipt of the online booking form. Don’t be surprised – it may take a week or so before you hear back from us after you complete the booking form. We will then ask you to pay a deposit to confirm your booking, with full payment required six weeks before the start of the holiday. Please send us the full payment in good time rather than wait for a reminder. And please check your email junk folder before contacting us!
What is the difference between “Ensuite” and “Corridor” Bathrooms?
Ensuite bathrooms are private bathrooms attached to the bedroom and for the use of all the guests in that bedroom. Corridor bathrooms are not attached to the room but are on the corridor and are usually shared by guests in other bedrooms on that corridor.
How are prices and discounts calculated?
Pricing is based on whether you are accommodated in an ensuite bathroom or corridor bathroom room. Exceptions to this will be Connect, International Youth Weeks, Impact, Women’s Weekends and Men’s Weekends where there is a single price for each holiday, and New Year Starter where we charge a premium to have a 2 person room.
Please also see our page Discounts for Holidays.
How many people attend each holiday?
We usually welcome between 30-200 guests depending on the holiday. Please book early as places do go fast!
Will I or my group have to share a bedroom with other guests?
We do not have any single rooms. Our rooms are mostly family-style and dormitory rooms, with a few twin rooms. To enable as many guests as would like to come, single guests will be booked into rooms with other single guests and group guests. We offer complimentary ear plugs and sleep masks if needed!
Guests who attend with others in a group might either be roomed by group or along with other individual guests who have booked.
Can I book a holiday and stay off-site?
Yes. We do offer a non-residential rate so that you can enjoy the whole holiday programme and meals but will not be allocated a bed or bedroom. The number of guests attending on this basis may be limited. Please check with our Holiday Bookings Administrator for price and availability.
Will there be Bible-teaching for adults and children?
Explaining who Jesus Christ is through biblical teaching is at the heart of all we do at Capernwray, so we can guarantee that there will be Bible teaching at all holidays.
We plan to offer age-group-specific teaching for young people and children during the summer Escape to Capernwray weeks. Families and other adults are welcome during these weeks. The New Year Starter, Equipped, Men’s Weekends and Women’s Weekends holidays are geared for adult guests. Connect (11-13) and International Youth Weeks (14-17) and Impact (18-25) are for specific age groups.
What else is there to do?
Capernwray is a in a beautiful part of the world, so as well as plenty of activities on-site, there are many local attractions within easy reach too.
CAN I DO MY LAUNDRY?
Yes, we have coin-operated washing machines and tumble driers. Allow around £3.50 for a full load of washing and drying.
CAN I come as a day visitor?
For some of our holidays and where there is availability there is an option to attend for one day of the holiday. Please check with our Holiday Bookings Administrator for price and availability.
What is the arrival time?
The Hall will be open, your room will be ready and we look forward to welcoming you from 4pm onwards on arrival day. Our first meal together will generally be at 6pm.
And the departure time?
We ask that all guests vacate their rooms by 10am on the day of departure (except for Short Men’s and the Short Women’s Weekends which finish on a Sunday after lunch). This is to allow us to start our changeover process for the next holiday. If you are using public transport we appreciate that your train/bus might not be as early as you would like. The lounge is here for you to enjoy and the kettle is always on!
What if I am ARRIVING by train?
For all our holidays (except International Youth Weeks): If you are travelling by train, we are able to provide a shuttle service to Capernwray Hall. The shuttle will leave Carnforth train station at 3.30pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm. You will be able to book onto the shuttle service by emailing our Holiday Bookings Administrator on holidays@capernwray.org. Please try to book onto these services at least 7 days in advance so that we know how many guests will be needing a lift from the station. Please contact our holiday administrator if you are arriving late.
International Youth Weeks: Please contact our holiday administrator with your arrival time.
If you are arriving outside of these times and cannot wait for the most convenient shuttle, please get in touch with our holiday administrator who will be able to assist you in the best way to get to us. We have also provided a list of local taxi companies for your convenience here.
What if I am DEPARTING by train?
For all our holidays (except International Youth Weeks, Short Women’s Weekend and Men’s Weekend): On the day of departure, we are able to give lifts to the train station, leaving Capernwray at 8.00am, 9.00am and 10.00am. There is also the possibility of a shuttle service being available to leave Capernwray at 6.10am (in time for the 6.40am train to Manchester Airport). Please contact our Holiday Bookings Administrator to book onto one of these shuttles.
International Youth Weeks, Short Women’s Weekend and Men’s Weekend: Please contact our Holiday Bookings Administrator (holidays@capernwray.org) with your departure time.
If you are leaving outside of these times, please get in touch with our holiday administrator who will be able to assist you in the best way to get to the station. We have also provided a list of local taxi companies for your convenience here
What are the meal times?
Meal times for guests are usually 8.30am, 1pm and 6pm each day. On some days packed lunches will be available to enable you to go out for the day.
If you need to leave early on the last day, you will be able to sign up at the beginning of the week for a packed breakfast, which you can collect at Dinner the evening before.
Do you cater for special diets?
We are only able to prepare food for the following special diets: dairy free, lactose intolerant, coeliac, gluten-free, and vegetarian (not vegan). Please ensure that is recorded in your booking form. If you have other food allergies or intolerances, please include them in your booking form so that we can identify for you when a dish contains those ingredients. If your dietary needs alter after your booking please let us know what has changed. We cannot promise to provide an alternative dish and we are not able to cater for individual likes and dislikes. All our food is prepared in a kitchen where nuts, gluten and other known allergens may be present. Please note that while we take care to prevent cross-contamination, any product may contain traces of allergens as all our meals are produced in the same kitchen.
What do I do about any medication I need to bring?
You will be encouraged to lock any prescribed medication you bring in your room – we can supply a lockable container on loan if required.
Can I bring my dog on holiday?
Sadly we do not allow you to bring any dogs, cats or other pets, except for service animals.
What are the ages for CONNECT and International Youth Weeks?
CONNECT is advertised for 11-13 year olds. International Youth Weeks (IYWs) are advertised for 14-17 year olds. Since our guests come from around the UK and beyond we do not use school year categories so as to avoid confusion.
CONNECT for 11-13 year olds is great for those approaching the end of primary education or just starting secondary school. We hope that they can ‘connect’ with other young people before any disconnection from their primary school friends. We also hope that they can know they can ‘connect’ with God which will be the best step for them as they enter the world of secondary school! (see below for 10 and 14 year olds).
IYWs are ideal for 14+’s still at school (or have just finished school that summer).
We understand that siblings, cousins, friends and youth groups do not always fall into such neat groups! Some 13 year olds and 18 year olds have joined us in these weeks before. At Connect we have occasionally had 10 year olds and 14 year olds. Please contact Marie (our holiday bookings administrator) to chat about your young people.
If you are 18 years old, please note that we have IMPACT which is for 18-25 year olds.
What about groups and group leaders?
It is great to see groups come from churches to our Women’s & Men’s Weekends as well as groups of children and teens on our holidays. We appreciate that there is a lot of work that goes into arranging getting a group to Capernwray. Book well in advance if possible to make sure we have space.
Although we do not offer group discounts, leaders bringing groups to CONNECT and International Youth Weeks have the option of paying a reduced Leader’s rate. We appreciate the presence and help from Group Leaders during the youth holidays – and are also glad that you will have time to spend with your young people while we deliver the programme. It might be that some Group Leaders would be suitable to join the Guest Team and help us deliver the programme. Please get in touch with us if you would like to join us in that way. If you are thinking about bringing a group please read our helpful information.
What if I need to cancel and obtain a refund?
Your place is not confirmed until we receive your non-refundable deposit. Full payment is due 6 weeks before the start of the holiday. Once a booking has been received and confirmed our usual Terms and Conditions will apply, as set out below, and also on our website:
The outstanding balance is due six weeks before the start of your holiday.
A cancellation of a booking is only acceptable if received in writing. In the event of a cancellation, the deposit is forfeited, and if the cancellation is made 28 days or less before the start of the holiday, the following charges will apply: between 28 and 14 days prior to arrival, 50% of the total holiday cost is forfeited; between 14 and 7 days prior to arrival, 75% of the total holiday cost is forfeited; less than 7 days prior to arrival, 100% of the total holiday cost is forfeited.
We encourage you to take out insurance in case you need to cancel your reservation. If we have to cancel the holiday for any reason, we shall offer a full refund.
Do I need travel insurance and medical insurance?
We encourage all guests to take out holiday travel insurance to cover the risk and expense of cancellation due to a change in your circumstances. We no longer offer our own cancellation ‘insurance’ to guests.
What if I am travelling from abroad?
We advise guests to take out their own travel insurance to cover you for medical care and if you find you cannot travel. If you are a visitor to the UK from an EU country, you can continue to use a valid and in-date European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your home country to access healthcare but it is not an alternative to travel insurance. If you don’t have one, you will have to contact the relevant health authorities in your country to apply for one and it can take up to 2 weeks to arrive.
What to pack
- Bring your Bible please (although we have copies available in English, German and Spanish). As always there is lots to learn and time to read – we hope you grow in your knowledge and relationship with Jesus while you are here.
- Swimming gear including swimming towels. (We provide bedding and towels in your room, but ask you to bring your own towel if you would like to use the swimming pool.)
- Warm clothes, waterproofs and umbrellas to protect you from the sun….
WHAT IF I HAVE A health ISSUE WHILE I AM WITH YOU?
Our local GP Surgery is Ash Trees Surgery, Market St, Carnforth, LA5 9JU; telephone 01524 720000. It has an on-site Pharmacy open 8am-10pm on weekdays and 9am-6pm at weekends.
Urgent treatment is available at the Kendal Urgent Treatment Centre at Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal, LA9 7RG; or at Morecambe Urgent Treatment Centre, Hanover St, Morecambe, LA4 5LY; both open 8am – 8pm daily.
Accident and Emergency services are at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, LA1 4RP, open 24 hours.
Thank you!
