Close to London but with the tranquillity of a woodland location, Gilwell Park is famous throughout the world for its Scouting heritage, beautiful setting and stunning range of activities. With four modern lodges, plenty of open camping space and spectacular views of the capital, we have 108 acres available for fun and adventure and for young people to experience the freedom of the outdoors. For over 100 years, we’ve delivered safe, challenging and educational experiences to millions of young people.

MONTHS OPEN
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

DAYS OPEN
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

AGE GROUPs
5 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 14 to 16 years, College, University



Listed under: accommodation| Accommodation & Residential| Archery| Bunkhouses| Bushcraft| Camping and Glamping| Climbing, High Ropes & Zipwires| Curriculum Subject / Activity Type| Duke of Edinburgh Award| Ecology & Green Awareness| Enrichment Learning| Environmental Studies| Fencing| Field Studies| Geography| Kayaking and Canoeing| Lodges| Orienteering| Outdoor Education| Outdoor Residential Centres| PE (Physical Education/Sport)| Personal Development-Mentoring| Provider Type| Residential School Trips| Safety Awareness| School Camps| Self-Catering Accommodation| SEND Residential School Trip| Social Skills| Special Educational Needs (SEN)| Team Building| Walking and Hiking| Water Sports| Wow Days|
What does your residential centre offer school trips


Scout Adventures Gilwell Park is a natural home for school and youth groups looking for a brilliant residential. Our centre is not just a place to visit and stay; it’s a starting point for new adventures, challenges, expeditions and experiences.
We believe in making every visit to Gilwell Park fun, friendly, adventurous and unforgettable.
Close to London but with the tranquillity of a woodland location, Gilwell Park is famous throughout the world for its Scouting heritage, beautiful setting and stunning range of activities. With modern lodges, plenty of open camping space and spectacular views of the capital, we have 108 acres available for fun and adventure and for young people to experience the freedom of the outdoors.
Choose from a wide range of over 30 activities, from canoeing and high ropes to orienteering and traditional outdoor skills. Our activities are all about values-based team work, and can be tailored to your specific learning objectives.
Scout Adventures Gilwell Park is owned and operated by The Scout Association – the UK’s leading youth charity in the UK. For over 100 years, we’ve delivered safe, challenging and educational experiences to millions of young people. In line with Scout values (care, respect, integrity, cooperation, exploring our own and others’ beliefs) we believe in preparing young people with skills for life, creating better futures.
We work with schools to deliver amazing and affordable outdoor experiences and help young people achieve their full potential. Our dedicated team can discuss your group’s needs and tailor a package and activity sessions that’s right for your pupils and your budget.
Scout Adventures Gilwell Park Residential Centre London
School trips London
Outdoor residential centre London
What makes you a great group accommodation choice for a school trip


Our centres offer a truly unique multi-cultural experience to every school group that visits. Each year, over 120 volunteers from all around the world join our renowned international residential programme. In return they are trained to deliver activities and adventures alongside our professional staff teams that engage, challenge, inspire, and help create memories for young people!
Scout Adventures is all about creating unforgettable moments. Whether it’s jumping into a lake, chatting about the day’s amazing adventures after lights out, or roasting marshmallows over glowing embers. While these moments may seem purely fun to your students, they are simultaneously developing crucial skills for life such as leadership, teamwork, resilience, and initiative.
We offer every pupil the chance to experience the following:
* Develop skills for life – Resilience, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills will be developed or discovered through our activities
* Survival skills – Take part in shelter building, backwards cooking, fire lighting, team building and exploring how to survive and thrive out in the elements.
* Outdoor challenges – Relish and rise to the challenge of our all-season high-energy adventures, such as ziplining, climbing, or Jacob’s Ladder, delivered by our international instructors.
* Wellbeing focus – Full program of activities that will boost confidence, self-belief and a sense of achievement they’ll take back to the classroom.
* Connection to nature – Whether it’s stargazing, crunching leaves on nature walks, or wildlife spotting at dusk in and around our 108-acre site, our range of activities is designed to inspire, excite, and educate young people.
On site activities


Reach for the stars, feet firmly on the ground, splash about, meet your targets, learn new skills, we have over 30 on-site activities to choose from at Gilwell Park. These include:
3G swing, Activities in a box, Aeroball, Archery, Backwoods cooking, Bouldering, Campfire, Climbing, Coracle building, Crate stacking, Fencing, Fire lighting, Gauntlet, Grass sledging, High all aboard, Hike, Jacob’s Ladder, Ladder climb, Leap of faith, Low ropes, Minibeast safari, Orienteering, Pedal go karts, Pioneering, Raft building, Sensory trail, Shelter building, Team building, Tomahawk throwing, Wide games, Wobbly pole, Zip wire.
See all our activities: https://www.scoutadventures.org.uk/activities
All activity sessions are for a maximum of 12 participants, and each group must have a supervising adult. All activity sessions are 90 minutes long unless otherwise stated.
Awards, accreditations


Gilwell Park is accredited with the following:
Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge
The LOtC Quality Badge provides a national award combining the essential elements of provision – learning and safety – into one easily recognisable and trusted accreditation scheme for all types of learning outside the classroom provider throughout the UK. This includes museums, art galleries, adventure centres, nature reserves, science learning centres and farms among many other provider types. The scheme is managed and developed by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
Find out more: www.lotc.org.uk
Adventuremark
Adventuremark is a non-statutory safety scheme devised by the Adventure Activity Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC) for providers of adventurous activities that are outside the scope of the Adventure Activity Licensing regulations. Adventuremark allows providers to demonstrate that the provider’s arrangements for managing the potential risks of adventure activities have been inspected and found to meet the necessary standards of good practice in the adventure activity industry.
Find out more: www.adventuremark.co.uk
Group sizes


We can accommodate small classes up to full year groups at Gilwell Park.
All activity sessions are for a maximum of 12 participants, and each group must have a supervising adult.
Gilwell Park has four indoor accommodation blocks to choose from:
Peter Harrison, sleeps up to 50 people
Jack Petchey Lodge, sleeps up to 50 people
Branchet Lodge sleeps up to 56 people
Dorothy Hughes sleeps up to 42 people
There are also two tented villages sleeping up 80 people in total (40 people in each). We also have a large number of outdoor camping spaces that will accommodate in excess of 2,500 people.
Room sizes, types


Choose from three modern lodges, or a traditional log cabin at Gilwell Park. All our lodges include the following: central heating, fully equipped kitchens, and a separate communal/dining area.
Peter Harrison Lodge
A modern, bright lodge, sleeping up to 50 people. Located adjacent to the car park so it’s easy to unload all of your kit for your stay.
The building has ten four-bed rooms, three twin rooms, and three single rooms. All rooms include an en-suite with a toilet, sink and shower. Two twin rooms are accessible, with accessible washrooms.
Beds are provided mattress-only, so make sure you bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
There’s a commercial kitchen with everything you need to cater for a group of 50 people.
This includes a large oven and hob (induction), fridge, freezer, microwave, hot water boiler and dishwasher. We also provide crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, and basic cooking equipment.
The building has a large hall for dining or activities, with tables and chairs to seat your group. The hall is equipped with a projector, screen and AV system for any activities, or just watching a film. There are two communal toilets (one accessible) in the hall.
There’s a foyer space with sofas for leaders to relax in the evening; and a drying room too for muddy boots, complete with a washing machine for any emergencies.
Jack Petchey Lodge
A modern, bright lodge, sleeping up to 50 people. Located adjacent to the car park so it’s easy to unload all of your kit for your stay.
The building has ten four-bed rooms, three twin rooms, and three single rooms. All rooms include an en-suite with a toilet, sink and shower. Two twin rooms are accessible, with accessible washrooms.
Beds are provided mattress-only, so make sure you bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
There’s a commercial kitchen with everything you need to cater for a group of 50 people. This includes a large oven and hob (induction), fridge, freezer, microwave, hot water boiler and dishwasher. We also provide crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, and basic cooking equipment.
The building has a large hall for dining or activities, with tables and chairs to seat your group. The hall is equipped with a projector, screen and AV system for any activities, or just watching a film. There are two communal toilets (one accessible) in the hall.
There’s a foyer space with sofas for leaders to relax in the evening; and a drying room too for muddy boots, complete with a washing machine for any emergencies.
Branchet Lodge
Branchet Lodge is ideal for larger groups, sleeping up to 56 people. Located adjacent to the car park so it’s easy to unload all of your kit for your stay.
The building has six eight-bed dorms, two twin en-suite rooms and four single en-suite rooms. The building has two sets of communal toilets and showers, one in each wing. There is also an additional communal accessible washroom.
Beds are provided mattress-only, so make sure you bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
The building has a commercial kitchen with everything you need to cater for a group of 56 people. This includes a large oven and hob (induction), fridge, freezer, microwave, hot water boiler and dishwasher. We also provide crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, and basic cooking equipment.
There’s a large hall for dining or activities, with tables and chairs to seat your group. The hall is equipped with a TV.
There’s a foyer space with sofas for leaders to relax in the evening; and two drying rooms too for muddy boots, complete with washing machines for any emergencies.
Dorothy Hughes Centre
Dorothy Hughes is extremely popular for its cosy log cabin style and dorm rooms – perfect for those first nights away from home! Located adjacent to the car park so it’s easy to unload all of your kit for your stay.
The building sleeps 42 and is a mixture of six bed, four bed and two bedrooms. Take a careful look at the building layout when planning, as some rooms are interconnecting.
There is shared toilets and showers.
Beds are provided mattress-only, so make sure you bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
The building has a commercial kitchen with everything you need to cater for a group of 42 people. This includes a large oven and hob (induction), fridge, freezer, microwave, hot water boiler and dishwasher. We also provide crockery, cutlery, utensils, pots and pans, and basic cooking equipment.
There’s a large hall for dining or activities, with tables and chairs to seat your group. The hall is equipped with a projector, screen and AV system for any activities, or just watching a film.
Please note that this building may not be accessible due to its age – please chat to us if you have any access needs.
Gilwell Tented Village
Our two Tented Villages are made up of 12 bell tents with porch and sleeping area and comes complete with comfortable mattresses. There’s a group tent with tables, benches and lighting and a basic camp kitchen too. Talk to the centre team to find out more about what’s included.
With space for up to 80 people over two tented villages (40 on each), it’s a great alternative to the standard camping experience or even staying in a lodge. Available to book from May to October.
On-site camping
Ideal for camping with a wide range of areas on-site to accommodate camps of all sizes from a small group to a large-scale camp of 2,500+ people. With excellent facilities available, wherever you choose to pitch your tent, you’ll never be far from toilets, showers and basins. Many of our camping sites also have fire spots and we can provide altar fires for you to fully immerse yourself in your camping experience. Please note that there is no electric hook up available.
Risk assessment


We can provide school trip organisers with the following:
-General Scout Adventures Site Risk Assessment
-Gilwell Park Activities Risk Assessment
-Public Liability Insurance
Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions


Groups are permitted to take photos throughout their activity sessions and their stay. Please notify a member of the team in advance – this is to ensure that correct photo consent protocols are followed for our other guests on site.
Booking details


To book, or make and enquiry contact the Gilwell Park customer enquiries team via the following:
Email us: Info@scoutadventures.org.uk
Submit an online enquiry: www.scoutadventures.org.uk/contact/get_in_touch
Call us: 020 8138 0191
Pricing


We believe that schools should be able to choose and shape your own experience – it’s your visit after all! Our adventure packages aren’t just heaps of fun, there are also many benefits associated with the type of outdoor experience we offer. These adventures help young people to develop the character skills they need to become leaders of the future.
Scout Adventures operate an peak and off-peak pricing structure
-Peak: 1st May – 30th September
-Off Peak: 1st January – 30th April & 1st October – 31 December
Our off-peak packages offer flexible, more quieter dates to suit your academic calendar – including Thursday and Friday availability. We can cater for small classes up to entire year groups.
We offer free teacher places for every 12 pupils booked, offered as standard across all our packages.
Prices include VAT on accommodation, camping, catering, equipment and services. All activities and overnight packages are exempt from VAT. Minimum numbers may apply.
Packages we offer:
Outdoor Adventure package
Burst out of the classroom with our classic action-packed programme. You’ll take part in a programme of 90 minute taster sessions, ideal for challenging young people, building skills, team work and having fun. We’ve got more than 30 activities on offer across our adventure centres, including target sports, high ropes, water sports, outdoor skills and team building challenges. We know it’s important to have a home away from home, so you’ll settle down for the night in our comfortable indoor accommodation. To make things simple, we include catering in our package prices as standard.
Outdoor Adventure packages | 1 May – 30 Sept
Tented village |
1 May – 30 Sept
Lodge |
1 Jan – 30 April & 1 Oct – 31 Dec
Tented village |
1 Jan – 30 April & 1 Oct – 31 Dec
Lodge |
1 night – fully catered with 5 activities | £99.00 | £116.00 | £79.00 | £87.00 |
2 nights – fully catered with 10 activities | £195.00 | £225.00 | £145.00 | £172.00 |
3 nights – fully catered with 15 activities | £280.00 | £330.00 | £195.00 | £232.00 |
4 nights – fully catered with 20 activities | £365.00 | £431.00 | £255.00 | £305.00 |
Adventure 50:50 package
This package includes half the number of activities of Outdoor Adventure for a more flexible stay. This gives you a chance to fit in some teacher-led sessions too. Some schools use this for fieldwork, revision or to continue lessons. Most of our buildings have a hall space, and you can make full use of our grounds. You could also use the time to plan a day trip to a local attraction. You’ll have a great night’s sleep in our clean, comfortable indoor accommodation, and catering is already included in our prices.
50:50 packages | 1 May – 30 Sept
Tented village |
1 May – 30 Sept
Lodge |
1 Jan – 30 April & 1 Oct – 31 Dec
Tented village |
1 Jan – 30 April & 1 Oct – 31 Dec
Lodge |
1 night – fully catered, 50:50 programme with 3 activities | £69.00 | £79.00 | £59.00 | £65.00 |
2 nights – fully catered, 50:50 programme with 5 activities | £130.00 | £154.00 | £112.00 | £132.00 |
3 nights – fully catered, 50:50 programme with 8 activities | £195.00 | £232.00 | £165.00 | £194.00 |
4 nights – fully catered, 50:50 programme with 10 activities | £250.00 | £299.00 | £215.00 | £253.00 |
Build your own visit
Our packages are a fantastic time and hassle saver. But of course, you can also book your accommodation, activities, catering and add-ons as you fancy from our standard price list too. This is a great option if you’re running your own programme, don’t want to book many activities, or prefer to plan every details of your visit to us. You can also book your accommodation if you’re looking to stay with us for your Duke of Edinburgh expedition.
Our activities are often booked up many months in advance, so do get in touch with our team in plenty of time to avoid disappointment!
Please visit our website for a full list of individual prices for accommodation, activities and catering.
First Aid


We will provide First Aid during instructed activities. Visitors are responsible for their own First Aid at other times, but our staff will offer support if required.
Defibrillators are located in the Staff Car Park and at Wilson Way – the code to access these is available from the Duty Manager or the ambulance service.
Available facilities


Wi Fi
Wi-Fi is available across most of the centre – no login details required.
Toilets
We provide toilet rolls and soap, and clean toilet blocks regularly. Toilet blocks are open to all visitors on centre. We have a number of accessible and all-gender facilities.
Study room or classrooms
If you need a room for any classroom-based sessions, please ask at the time of booking.
Hire equipment
Pre-booked equipment will be delivered to your site, and tents pitched for your arrival.
Shop
Our on site shop sells a range of snacks, refreshments and gifts. Please ask at reception and the team will be happy to open the shop for you.
Drinking water
Drinking water is available across our fields, as well as a limited number of washing up sinks at toilet blocks. We have chemical toilet disposal points – please ask at reception. Please put recycling (paper, glass, plastic and cans) into the green recycling bins.
Freezer space
We have a freezer available for groups to share.
Security
The centre is 108 acres of open land, and you’re likely to encounter other visitors.
We conduct random security patrols, but it’s impossible for us to monitor everyone’s personal property. Secure doors and windows, keep items in-sight or locked away, and leave valuables at home. If you’re camping, leave someone behind to keep watch and introduce yourself to your neighbours. Please contact reception if you need help storing valuables.
Catering options


Catering for our packages runs from dinner on your arrival day to lunch on your departure day. Please bring packed lunches for your first day, or we can book additional lunches for you.
All meals will be served in the Adventure Kitchen. You can select a time slot when you check in at reception. If you’re arriving late on your first evening and have dinner booked, or you have any day trips planned, please give us a heads up so we can make alternative arrangements with you
We’ll request any dietary requirements 8 weeks before arrival. We cater for the 14 key allergens, vegetarian, vegan and halal diets. We’ll try our utmost to cater for other needs, but we’re unable to cater for tastes or preferences. There’s a sample menu on our website. Meal times and locations will be confirmed on arrival.
Packed lunches can be provided upon request – for example if taking part in any off site activities.
Accessibility & Disabled Facilities


We work with groups during our booking process to understand the support requirements for individuals, allowing us to tailor programmes to meet each participant’s needs. All our sites offer wheelchair accessible indoor accommodation options, and every site has access to equipment and staff trained to support participation in adventurous activities where this is practicable. Our goal is to ensure that all young people are fully included in the group’s programme, but we also aim to be clear and open with groups when we don’t think we have the skills to support an individual to get the most from their residential.
Opening times


Gilwell Park is open for schools to visit 7 days a week, 50 weeks of the year (2-week closure over Christmas and New Year)
Our enquiries team are available to speak to over the phone, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
Testimonials


We had an amazing time. The instructors have been fabulous. We have had amazing support to challenge ourselves with exciting activities.
Snaresbrook Primary School
Amazing week at Gilwell. The staff were so helpful in making sure we had the best week. The instructors were great and facilities were perfect for us. Kids had an amazing time.
Cheriton Primary School
It was great and our children had an amazing time . We were well looked after by our group leader and the accommodation and activities were fantastic.
St Joseph’s Junior school
We had an excellent day at Gilwell Park, the activities were well organised, engaging and the instructors were very supportive of our students. It was a great way for our new Year 7 to get to know each other and make new friends
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School
Location information


Gilwell Park is located on a 108-acre site in Chingford, North London on the edge of Epping Forest.
If you wish to extend your stay with us, there are plenty of things to see and do off-site:
-Explore the capital – there are direct trains from Chingford to London Liverpool Street every 15 minutes.
-Go out with a bang … at the Royal Gunpowder Mills. Get out and about in 175 acres of open parkland, plus discover the history of gunpowder and explosives with activities for all ages.
-Go wild … at Lea Valley. Explore this 26 mile-long 10,000-acre park and enjoy a wide range of sport and leisure activities.
-Follow in the footsteps of heroes… at the Olympic Park and relive the magic of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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