House on the Hill

Did you know that HOTH is not just a house on a hill, but also the highest natural point in Newcastle?

We are located just off Hillhead Road. You will be able to see us from the side of the road as we are (as it says on the tin) a house on a hill. The access road is just past the building if you are coming up from the bottom of the field or just before if you are coming through Westerhope. The property has 2 rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs, for meetings and activities, as well as a large outdoor field with a fire pit perfect for outdoor activities or even camping!

On this page you will find a breakdown of casual hire costs & some frequently asked questions about the building. If the page doesn’t answer your questions, then please reach out to us at [email protected]

Click here to go to the booking portal for House on the Hill!

Booking Prices

Below is a breakdown of our casual hire rates (per hour & overnight stays) for House on the Hill. A full breakdown of the costs can be found here.

We do allow recurring bookings over longer periods of time at this property (e.g. weekly youth group meetings). The costs can be found in the .pdf above, and if you would like to discuss this further then please get in touch with us at [email protected].

Hourly Rates

Overnight Bookings

Questions about the property?

Below are some of the most common questions people have about this property prior to booking. If your question is not answered below, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We’re happy to help!

How do I get access to the building?

If you have paid your invoice in full, you will receive an automated email 24 hours before your booking which will contain your code for the key box at House on the Hill. This key box is attached to the wall near the access road.

How long do we have to pay our invoice?

Invoices must be paid in full no later than 2 days prior to your booking, otherwise your booking will be cancelled automatically.

Can I visit the building to conduct a Risk Assessment prior to booking?

Yes, that’s not a problem. Just get in touch with us at [email protected] and we will arrange a time & date for you to visit the property, however please note that a member of Newcastle Scouts will unlikely be able to accompany you on this visit. If that will be required then the times available will be significantly limited.

Can we sleep overnight on the property?

Yes, groups may stay overnight on the property. You will be able to fit between 15 – 20 people sleeping in the downstairs room, depending on how much space you require per person. There is a large field attached to the building that can also be used for outdoor camping. If young people are staying on the property overnight, it is your responsibility to ensure that an adult is awake during the night to raise any alarms/concerns, and it is down to your own risk assessment to determine whether or not you think it is safe for your members to sleep on the premises.

How many people can the building hold?

The downstairs room (the largest room in the building) can fit about 30 sitting adults, and there is a maximum of 60 individuals permitted in the building at any one time.

Are there any cooking facilities in the building?

Unfortunately, the built-in hob and oven are currently not operational. A portable electric hob is available in the kitchen for cooking. It is recommended that you bring your own cutlery and utensils to ensure there is enough for your group.

How many toilets are on the property?

There are two toilets in the building. One downstairs near the front door & one upstairs.

Can we make campfires on the field?

There is a designated fire pit out on the field, clearly visible by the burned ground. If you want to light campfires during your visit, please make sure you use this spot and this spot only, if you are not bringing your own fire pits & ground protectors with you. City of Newcastle Scouts does have 4 fire pits & ground protectors that are available for use, if you would like to borrow these during your visit to HOTH then email us at [email protected]. There is a store of firewood on the property that you are welcome to use, but we do advise that you bring your own firewood to ensure you have enough.

Is there parking space available?

Vehicles can be parked in the designated car park area while ensuring 24/7 access to the green gate beside the building. A detailed breakdown of the space available can be found in the House on the Hill User Guide, which will emailed to you along with your invoice.

Can I open the side gate leading to the field?

Yes, and the padlock code will be included with your key box code in the email you receive 24 hours before your booking. The padlock must stay attached to the gate when not in use and must be locked when you are finished.

We would like to use this property, but are not a Scout Group. Can we still book House on the Hill?

Yes, we are happy for Non-Scout organisations to use House on the Hill. Please note that we do no allow the consumption of alcohol on the premises, and we reserve the right to cancel any bookings we feel are unsuitable. Though the premises is somewhat isolated, respect for our neighbours must still be shown by any party using the property, and overnight stays or loud outdoor activities should keep them in mind.

Where is House on the Hill?