18th birthday - unusual venue wanted!

[Minitoots]

My son is keen to do something different for his 18th birthday party in early July, and is looking for suggestions. He had thought about hiring a field (yes!!) down in Kent as he has friends living there who do that, but they know any of the field owners well enough to ask. Then we wondered about a beach, but think that would be too public...

It doesn't have to be outdoors, but he doesn't just want to hire a hall or room, or have it in a house. He's been to parties on disco boats already, so we're a bit stuck for ideas! It would have to be within reasonable distance of SE22 but they could travel and sleep or camp overnight somewhere if neccessary. The budget for it is fairly limited...

There would probably be about 20 of them or more if the venue could take more. They are a nice group of teenagers - well behaved but would probably be fairly exuberant at the finish of school days...

Any off the wall ideas welcome!

[Saffron]

'Go Ape' does treetop adventures and forest segways: http://goape.co.uk/

Or what about a day of BMX racing? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/in-the-know/london-sport-activities/9499312/bmx-tracks-london.html

Or hire a self-catering accommodation, where they can venture out on cycling tours? http://kentcyclebreaks.com/

http://www.visitkent.co.uk/things-to-do/active-and-outdoors/cycling

The Museum After Dark offers some interesting sessions, if your son is more inclined to something sciencey.

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/after-hours/

[Anna27]

The Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley? Amazing venue, White Stripes, Florence and the Machine have performed there. They put on Jive nights every month, great mix of people all ages, an excuse to dress up, fun with a large group of friends

http://www.therivoli.co.uk/

[fapl]

Chislehurst Caves leaflet says it can be hired for evening functions, they used to hold dances and gigs in there...

http://www.chislehurst-caves.co.uk/

[Minitoots]

Ooh - Chiselhurst caves sounds a bit different! I've emailed them to see if it's possible, thanks.

Rivoli would also be a good venue too but maybe more my taste than his...

Any more ideas, bearing in mind the budget limits??

[lorraineliyanage]

Camping at the Scout camp in Dulwich? Very cheap - lots of fun!

http://www.slsc-thefort.org.uk/

[Otta]

No idea whether they do parties as well as weddings, but this place is amazing!

http://directory.confetti.co.uk/supplier/586/wise-wedding-venue/

[Minitoots]

chiselhurst caves replied to say they haven't rented the caves out since their dim distant past -shame.

the fort would have been great but it's fully booked.

Confetti would be out of his price range, although it looks a good location...

keep ideas coming, thanks!

[RenF]

What about sticking with a field/ hall/ scout hut idea and then hiring a silent disco? Everyone gets a pair of ear phones and gets to dance about like crazy to music no one else can hear!

Throw in some big tents for everyone to sleep in, a BBQ or fire pit and you're set.

Same idea could be applied to a big enough back garden?

[Minitoots]

That's a good idea, RenF !!

[TE44]

Epping forest is a great place to party, camp and have a fire. Link to a campsite, maybe booking as a group you'll

get a discount as its quite expensive.i've camped here many moons ago and from link looks much the same.

http://yellowfieldscamping.co.uk/2012/06/19/review-debden-house-2-epping-forest-london/

[tarafitness]

I took my son and his friends paintballing last year at Delta Force for his 16th birthday.

It was very easy to get to and they all had a really fun day.

Can work out incredibly expensive though with having to buy additional paintballs (as they insist you purchase their ones... although you can buy them for a fraction of the price online)

[tarafitness]

Also, have you seen this post? Sounds like it might be fun if they can get enough teenagers to take part

[Carbonara]

There are a few campsites where you can hire a whole section for yourself - maybe try the forum talk boards on UKCampsite?

The scouts site at Dulwich is great, very inexpensive, you can hire one of the fields, have a big fire, and you don't have to be a scout.

[angelabbie]

I know someone who rents out a bell tent that sleeps around ten if that helps?

07792097325

[Minitoots]

A bell tent sounds like a good idea- I think he's planning on more people though.

He's thinking the logistics of camping might not work out now, especially with the unpredictable weather etc.

I'm now wondering about hiring a hall or room for a party instead.....

If anyone knows any teenage friendly rooms/halls/venues in the area which aren't too expensive, can you let me know?

They could provide their own sound system....