CAMP HEMSWORTH
17-19th January 2025The luxury summer camp for women at a country estate,
just one hour from Christchurch.
CAMP HEMSWORTH
17-19th January 2025The luxury summer camp for women at a country estate,
just one hour from Christchurch.
Enjoy a weekend country escape with likeminded women
Your ticket includes
Luxury Accomodation
Stay in either the renovated 1911 Edwardian Homestead Guest Suites or a Nomad Glamping Tent in the Garden.
All Inclusive
Your meals, activities, accomodation and drinks (including wine and cocktails) are all included in the price.
Intimate Experience
Limited to twelve guests, in the Mid-Canterbury Countryside, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle of everyday life.
Try something new
A range of activities is available to explore including Jam Making, Flower Wreaths, an Outdoor Movie and more.
Evening Campfire
Join in the ultimate summer camp combination on Friday night- S’mores and Girly Bonding
Afternoon Tea
Hemsworth Estate is known for it’s classic english style Afternoon Tea complete with Scones, Jam and Cream.
Apertivo Hour
Enjoy an Italian-inspired pre-dinner Cocktail or Mocktail paired with canapes before dinner.
Lavish 3-Course Meals
Feel like royalty as you’re served 3-course meals each night. One alfresco on the Verandah, and another in our Dining Room.
Accomodation Options
stay in a suite
Guest Suites at Hemsworth Estate accomodate two people in king single beds and have either an ensuite or bathroom down the hallway. Guests can request a roommate or be assigned one based on our camp questionnaire. Campers are not guaranteed the specific room option in the image above, but they are all exquisitely decorated.
Glamp in the garden
Glamping tents accomodate two people in queen sized foam mattresses and completed with antique chairs, rugs and decor from Hemsworth Estate. The glamping tents are located nearby to our bathroom external to the homestead. The photo above is an example of the tents we will be adopting from Nomad Glamping.
Earlybird
Available until October 13th 2024- First choice of accomodation in a Guest Suite or Glamping Tent for two nights – twin share.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Apertivo Hour and 3-Course Dinner.
- A Cocktail or Mocktail at each Apertivo Hour before dinner (additional alcoholic drinks and mocktails $10 each).
- Wine or Non-Alcoholic Alternative with Dinner.
- A selection of 9 activities, 6 guided and 3 self-led.
- An acre of gardens for you to explore including a heritage orchard and rose gardens.
camp hemsworth
Available from October 14th or until sold out- Accomodation in a Guest Suite or Glamping Tent for two nights – twin share.
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Apertivo Hour and 3-Course Dinner.
- A Cocktail or Mocktail at each Apertivo Hour before dinner (additional alcoholic drinks and mocktails $10 each).
- Wine or Non-Alcoholic Alternative with Dinner.
- A selection of 9 activities, 6 guided and 3 self-led.
- An acre of gardens for you to explore including a heritage orchard and rose gardens.
Payment Information:
The total price listed is per person.
Payment plans are available and include a $10 admin fee. The full balance must be paid in order to attend.
Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct apply.
Camp Programme
Friday 17th January
4:00pm – Arrival and Check in
5:00pm – Apertivo Meet and Greet on the Verandah
6:00pm – Alfresco Dinner
Evening – Smores by the Fire
Saturday 18th January
8:30am – 10:30am – Breakfast in the Dining Room
10:30am – Your choice of Morning Activity
12:30pm – Picnic Lunch in the Garden
1:30pm – Your Choice of Afternoon Activity
3:00pm – Afternoon tea
4:00pm – Free Time
5:00pm – Apertivo Hour
6:00pm – 3-Course Meal
8:30pm – Outdoor Movie
Sunday 19th January
8:00am – 10:00am – Self-Served Light Breakfast
10:00am – Your choice of Morning Activity
11:00am – Farewell Brunch
1:00pm – Depart Camp Hemsworth
Note: Wet Weather alternatives planned for all outdoor activities. Some activities may be altered due to numbers, interest or restrictions beyond our control, I.E Fire Bans.
Additional Information
Activities
Each Activity session offers a selection of three activities. One self-led to do at your own pace, and two guided ones individually led by one of Hemsworth Estate’s staff members.
These activities are still being finalised but a shortlist of options for you to choose from will be offered to campers ahead of time to vote for their preferred activities.
Current options include:
- Make Lavender Cordial
- Upcycle Furniture
- Floral Wreaths
- Make and Can Preserves
- Apple Picking
- Painting
- Making food from scratch
- Pickling and Preserving
Meals
Breakfast including freshly baked goods, homemade jams, fruits, spreads, and more is available from 8:30am – 10:30am in the dining room along with tea, coffee, and juice. Sunday’s breakfast will be a lighter affair aimed to tide guests over until our Farewell Brunch at 11:00am.
A Picnic Lunch in a basket will be available to pick up from 12:00pm on Saturday to enjoy on the grounds of Hemsworth Estate. Each basket is has enough for two.
Afternoon Tea is available on Saturday afternoon and is a Hemsworth Estate staple including scones with homemade jam and cream.
Apertivo is an italian word meaning “to open” the stomach before dining with a pre-meal drink and little bite to eat. We will have a themed cocktail or mocktail for each day along with complimentary pre-dinner canapes.
Dinner each evening, will be a lavish 3-course affair with wine that some guests have rated higher than New Zealand’s local castle.
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free alternatives are available upon request. Please let us know when you fill out our Camp Intake form.
Staff
Camp Hemsworth is run by fourth generation custodians of Hemsworth Estate Rebecca Hulse and Jema Smith. See more about the history of Hemsworth Estate and what the current owners are up to here.
Ammenities
Each room comes equipped with a welcome kit, snack basket, jug and water glasses, an ensuite or full bathroom per suite and additional toilets, and showers onsite for glampers. All bathrooms have hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, soap, fresh linens and vanity kits. There is wifi in the homestead, plus parking, tea and coffee facilities and more.
Accomodations
Yes we can cater to most dietary requirements with advance notice. Please call to confirm we can cater to your requests. Please note, we do not have a separate facility for Gluten Free food preparation and cannot guarantee cross-contamination will not occur.
The nature of Hemsworth Estate’s 1911 Historic Homestead setting is the building does not cater to modern standards. There are four shallow steps with no handrail to the main entrance of the building. Each persons needs are unique so we ask you give us a call to discuss your requirements and see how we can meet them. We do have an accessible bathroom external to the homestead (ground floor access).
The Inspiration behind Camp Hemsworth
Hi, I’m Rebecca. The fourth generation of my family to call Hemsworth Estate home. I’ve been an event planner for over a decade and in 2018, my mum and I opened Hemsworth Estate to the public to create their own memories.
We take inspiration from all over the world for our events, New Zealand is often behind on the world market, leaving us with FOMO when it comes to new ideas. We have previously hosted a Bridgerton ball, themed tea parties and our Bed and Breakfast receives rave reviews.
We also create the kind of events we would want to go to ourselves. Earlier in the year, I saw a camp at a chateau in France specifically designed for women and immediately wanted to pack my bags. As like most of us with commitments and a full life, spending a summer in France is unattainable without extreme planning and a hefty savings balance. So, why not host one closer to home? Camp Hemsworth became a new date on the calendar.
Now more than ever, we know female friendships are the lifeblood of our mental and physical wellbeing and making new friends as an adult is not easy. At Camp Hemsworth, we aim to bring women together in an effortless, intimate space for you to “just be” no matter your social battery.
Slowing down is not in my nature, but I still have a craving to do things the slow way. Experimenting in my kitchen, growing our own food, and generally just “giving it a go” has built new skills that will form the basis of the activities on offer at the camp.
But this is not just my camp. It’s yours. The brave women who attend will have the opportunity to shape this camp experience, voting for their preferences of activities, sharing their hopes for the weekend, and we will aim to bring those hopes to reality.
If you’re still reading, I’m grateful for your interest and I’d love to see you at Camp Hemsworth,
Rebecca Hulse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a single room?
Due to the limited space, we can only accomodate single rooms in a Glamping Tent. We can confirm these once our earlybird tickets have sold but we estimate an additional $395 for a solo Glamping Tent. Please let us know if you’re interested in this option.
Who will I be sharing with?
You can request a specific roommate if you know someone else who is attending the event, otherwise based on your Summer Camp Intake Form we will pair you with the most compatible person.
Will you offer a Day Visitor version?
We will gage interest in a Day Visitor version of the Summer Camp after our initial Earlybird Tickets have finished.
What's in the Glamping Tents?
Each Glamping Tent will have two queen sized foam mattresses, pillows, linen, towels, solar or battery powered lighting and a seating area.
Do I have to do every activity?
Every activity is optional allowing you to participate and relax as much or as little as you like. Each activity session will offer a selection of three activities including one self-led option. And of course, you can elect not to do anything and relax.
What's your refund policy?
Guests who need to cancel their booking should contact us as soon as possible. Refunds are made in accordance with the following conditions;
- Cancellation made 30 days or more in advance of arrival date = 90% refund.
- Cancellation made 14 days or less of arrival date = 50% refund.
- Cancellation made 7 days or less of arrival date = No refund issued, full amount of booking due.
Non-arrival guests, who are unable to attend or fail to attend for whatever reason forfeit their deposit paid and the full amount of the booking will be due. It is suggested that booking guests take out appropriate holiday / cancellation insurance where required.
In the rare event we need to cancel your booking with us, please be aware that we cannot be held liable for circumstances beyond our control and that our liability to you is limited to the refund of any payment already made.
Who can come?
We welcome women of all ages over 18. Hemsworth Estate is lgbtq+ friendly.
Where is Hemsworth Estate?
Our address is 356 Beach Road East. We are located 5kms from the east side of the Ashburton town boundary (approximately 10 minutes drive from the centre of town). Travel from Christchurch central takes approximately 1:20.
Questions?
We’d be happy to help. Please contact us here or call Rebecca on 0274339779.