Thurnham
Paragliding site · United Kingdom
- Launch altitude
- 138 m
- Level
- Intermediate+
- Best season
- —
- Landing
- —
Works on S · SW · W
Where it is
Thurnham is a chalk-ridge site on the North Downs in Kent, working on S, SW and W flow at a 138 m launch. This is a restricted site on private land — Dover and Folkestone Hang-gliding and Paragliding Club (DFHGC) members only, under a delicate landowner agreement. During the shooting season (October to March) the site may be closed on certain weekend days, sometimes without prior warning: a notice at the entrance shows the affected dates and pilots must be prepared to leave immediately if asked. Fines get paid to the club treasurer, no exceptions. Take-off sits anywhere below the North Downs Way footpath — but do not block the path, which is heavily used by walkers.
Launch & conditions
Take-off is anywhere below the footpath on private land. Members only. Do not block the North Downs Way — it's part of the national trail and there is significant walker traffic. No training or commercial activity permitted at this site.
Getting there & local rules
Members and visiting pilots use the council car park behind White Horse Wood, not the lane to take-off. Access only from the Maidstone (south) bound side of the A249. From Maidstone, either drive along the Pilgrims Way to Hucking and then over the top of the Downs, then 2 miles toward Maidstone on the A249; or drive up the A249 past the show ground and take the Hucking U-turn about 2 miles further on.
Check conditions before you fly
A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Thurnham, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Thurnham with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.
Conditions right now
Live — the same sources the OutDare app uses
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Is it usually flyable? The 12-month record
In a typical 12–35 km/h wind range, Thurnham offered a flyable window on 201 of 365 days (55%) over the last 12 months. Best month: June (73%).
| January48%15/31 | February54%15/28 | March48%15/31 | April47%14/30 | May48%15/31 | June73%22/30 |
| July42%13/31 | August52%16/31 | September70%21/30 | October58%18/31 | November67%20/30 | December55%17/31 |
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Is it usually flyable?
Set your wing's wind range once — the live 7-day outlook and the last 12 months both answer for Thurnham.
Surface wind (10 m) in km/h — the same number you read on any forecast.
The 7-day outlook and the 12-month history below both update to your range.
7-day wind outlook
High-resolution models — the same OutDare uses.
Loading the forecast…
Over the last 12 months
55% of days flyable
201 of 365 days had a dry 2-hour+ window in your range, from a direction this site flies
Best month
Jun · 73%
Flyable days by month
A day counts as flyable when the surface wind held in your range, from a direction the site flies, with no rain, for at least 2 hours in a row (08:00–20:00) — from hourly 10 m wind over the last 12 months. A seasonal wind guide only: it can't judge gusts, thermals or turbulence, and never replaces the live forecast, airspace checks and your own judgement.
Nearby flying sites
Site facts from the OutDare flying-site database. Always verify current access and regulations with the local club before flying.