Thurnham

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.

Local rules & hazards

Airspace ceiling 3,500 ft AMSL. The site has no midweek avoidance status — you MUST use the BHPA notification procedure before flying midweek. No flying west of the two trees in the bowl below 500 ft. Members-only under a landowner agreement — pilots without club membership are turned away.

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.