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Gilwell Park Campsite Information
Gilwell Park was purchased in 1919 with money donated to The Scout
Association by Mr WF De Bois Macllaren, since then Gilwell Park has
grown in both size and in the range of facilities that it offers.
Whilst being proud of our past we are at the same time always
looking towards the future. Gilwell is situated on the edge of the
picturesque Epping Forest, yet is within easy travelling distance of
the sights of London. The motorway network is just a few minutes
driving time away. A range of camp sites, indoor accommodation and
activities, suitable for all sections of the Movement, are on offer.
Facilities
Washrooms and Toilets - Hot and cold running water, hot showers and
real flush toilets are available, and with four purpose built blocks
around the site, relief is always close at hand!
Water - An extensive network of standpipes provide fresh water to
all parts of the site.
Wood - Two large woodpiles ensure that every Group can cook on wood
fires if they wish. In these "Environmentally Aware"
times, we have to insist that fires are only lit on the permanent
fire spots or on an altar fire.
Your choice of camping field
Essex Chase - Located adjacent to the Camp Square with the Swimming
Pool, Providore and Coke Bar close at hand. This is without doubt,
our most popular camping area.
Woodlands Field - A large, flat paddock-field situated at the north
end of Gilwell off Wilson Way. Camping around 200, with plenty of
space still for games and activities, it could have been made for
District camps.
Branchet Field - The largest of our camping fields, it is suitable
for up to 1500 campers or some 20 individual Troop/Group camps! It
is extremely suitable for large events of almost any sort.
Mallinson Field - A much smaller, wooded and very secluded site
located between Woodlands and the Training Ground, the Mallinson
Field provides the splendid spot for a Troop seeking a
get-away-from-it all-camp.
Ferryman Field - A split-level field suitable for a large Troop
camp, it is located at the far north end of Gilwell, beyond
Woodlands.
Gilwell provides an ideal setting for camps of all sites, from an
individual backpacker to a large County camp, or even several
Counties camping together. Having catered for the two extremes, it
goes without saying that we welcome every size of camp in between.
Patrol Camps - We are always happy to welcome Patrol Camps to
Gilwell. To encourage genuine Patrol Camps we offer a special camp
fee and discounted rates on activities. A "Patrol Camp Fact
Sheet" is available on request.
County Events - We have experience of organising County events for
up to 10,000 people and are happy to discuss ways we can help your
County, whether you are thinking of organising a County Cub Camp for
a weekend, a week long County Camp with day trips to London or a
County Beaver Scout Fun Day. Whether you just need a site for your
event or whether you want everything laid on for you, Gilwell can
help.
Cub and Beaver Fun Days - In June each year we organise a series of
events for Cub and Beaver Scouts. The emphasis on these events is
"Fun" and we organise a wide range of activities for both
youngsters and their Leaders. Details and booking forms are usually
available in September of the previous year.
Amateur Radio Station - GB2GP. Gilwell Park has its own Amateur
Radio Station which is open as often as possible. If you are camping
at Gilwell and hold a valid U. K. (or C. E. P. T) licence, then
bring it with you and we can normally arrange for you to operate the
station. If you want to visit the station or would like help with
badge courses, then please give us as much notice as possible and we
will try to arrange to have an operator on hand.
Canoeing - You can hire our fleet of canoes for use on the Bomb
Hole. Supervision is available if required.
Shooting and Archery - Both of these activities are available in our
indoor ranges, with an instructor if groups do not have suitably
qualified Leaders. All equipment is provided.
Swimming - Gilwell's outdoor, heated swimming pool is available for
use by Groups. The Pool is usually open from Easter until the end of
September.
Orienteering - Our specially designed orienteering sets will give
you a variety of routes around the Park from which to choose.
Grass Sledging - Proving to be very popular with Beaver and Cub
Scouts, its just like tobogganing but without the snow!
Discover Gilwell - A "Do it yourself" guided tour booklet
of Gilwell, follow the route and discover interesting facts about
Gilwells past.
The Gilwell Guided Tour - If you don't want to "D-l-Y"
then we can do it for you. The tour lasts about an hour.
Hike Routes - A wide range of hike routes can be recommended,
starting with a 2 mile long evening stroll, progressing through a
selection of 5, 6, 10 and 12 mile hikes, and going right up to a 24
mile hike with an overnight stop.
Pioneering - A large store of pioneering equipment is available for
Groups to use. All equipment must be returned to the store, clean
with ropes properly hanked, each evening.
London - Central London is less than an hour away by public
transport. The Campsite office will be happy to give you information
about the many places to visit.
Local Area - If you don't like the hustle and bustle of Central
London, there are many places in the local area that are well worth
a visit, from the Historic Market town of Waltham Abbey, to quiet
walks through Epping Forest. A diverse range of opportunities are
available within the Lea Valley Park including such activities as
watersports, visiting a glass works, ice skating and a tour around a
sewage pumping engine! Again, details are available from the
Campsite office.
Acts of Worship - Every Sunday morning, by request, we can organise
an Act of Worship, to which everyone in camp is invited. Roman
Catholic Mass and an Anglican Communion Service can sometimes be
arranged in the Chapels at Gilwell. The Synagogue, Buddhist Sala and
Open Air Chapels are all available to campers who wish to organise
their own Acts of Worship.
Camp Fires - We try to organise a Camp fire every Saturday evening
at 8pm. Groups are always welcome to organise their own camp fires
in one of Gilwells three camp fire circles.
Ecology - A series of activities are available. Based in our new
"Ecology Centre" which includes a series of displays on
alternative energy sources. "Hands on" activities include
recycled paper making, making logs for your fire from newspapers and
pond dipping. A "Tree Trail" Leaflet is available and
gives information about some of Gilwells rarer trees. We also have a
range of nature study books and equipment available for Groups to
use.
Indoor Accomodation
The Dorothy Hughes Centre - Primarily intended for Cub Scout use,
this building is also available to schools and youth groups
(particularly between Sunday and Friday in term times.) This
centrally-heated "log-cabin" style building sleeps 40 and
has a large well-equipped kitchen complete with caterer sized
equipment and facilities. Scooters' Room, Sixes' Lair, toilets with
hot showers and a large hall are amongst its many other attractive
features. Cooking equipment, crockery and cutlery are provided but
you need to provide all of your own bedding.
Branchet and Barnacle Centres - Twelve bunk bedded rooms provide
accommodation for 24 in each of these Centres, both of which are
available for use throughout the year. Each has a well equipped
kitchen, toilet and entrance lobby. Cooking equipment, crockery and
cutlery are provided but you need to provide all of your own
bedding.
The Log Cabins - Situated in the tree line on the edge of Woodlands
Field. Think of them as a wooden tent, except that unlike a normal
tent, they are well insulated so that you stay nice and warm, have
real beds and electric lights. Each Cabin sleeps a maximum of eight
people split over two rooms. A separate building provides a dining
and cooking shelter or you can cook outside on a real fire. Ideal
for Patrols of Scouts, Venture Scout Units, Leaders weekends or
indeed for any small group of people. You need to provide all of
your own equipment (including a gas cooker, unless you cook outside
on a wood fire. A toilet and shower block is available for your use
nearby.
The Storm Hut - A large, Village Hall type building. Whilst not
available for sleeping accommodation (except in a storm!), it is
ideal to use as a base for any large camp. It has a large main hall
that can be used for activities and games. It also has a large
kitchen and the main hall can be used as a dining area.
The Lid - Our large, Barn sized building is usually used for
activities, but it is available for hire and over the past few years
it has hosted exhibitions, dances ~ discos and Scouts Owns. Further
details are available on request.
Schools, etc. - Although primarily for Scouts and their families
Gilwell is happy to offer its facilities to Guides, school groups
and other youth organisations. Please consult the Warden for more
details.
Information and images provided courtesy of ScoutBase
UK. Also featured on The Gilwell Park's Brochure.
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