The 13th century church of St Faith was converted into Newton Field Centre in 1975. The centre has the following facilities:

Laboratory
The chancel of the old church has been converted into a laboratory which will comfortably seat 16 - 24 students, depending on age. Teaching aids include a multimedia projector, video, 27 inch monitor, and a microscope to monitor camera link. The centre well equipped for field work and laboratory follow-up (nets, quadrats, environmental meters, binocular and monocular microscopes, oven, balances etc).

Library and general purpose area
The majority of the nave of the old church is now a general purpose area used for dining, lectures and additional work space. To one side of this area is a library which is well stocked with books on various aspects of field studies.

Dormitories and washrooms
Sleeping accommodation is on an upper floor in two dormitories, each with 8 beds. A few additional visitors can be accommodated when necessary on folding beds. The shower-rooms are in the tower of the church. The female shower-room adjoins one of the dormitories on the upper floor, and the male shower-room is on the ground floor. Each contains two showers, washbasins and toilets. 

The Kitchen
The kitchen is equipped with an electric cooker, a refrigerator, a freezer. a microwave, crockery and cutlery. Residential courses are self catering and visiting parties should bring cooking utensils as well as food. 

The Annexe
An old blacksmith's shop in the village of Newton has been converted into an additional classroom / laboratory. The annex has a seating capacity of about twelve along a laboratory style bench, a small entrance lobby and two toilets. It can be booked either with the main building or separately.

Heating
The main building has oil-fired central heating. The annexe is heated by storage radiators. 

Return to top of page