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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.
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.
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.
And so much more. . . Table Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball, Five a side football. .
Some activities will involve an additional charge. Please see the tariff for details.
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.
Ordnance Survey Grid Reference: TQ 383696
By Road: From M25. Leave at junction 26 and follow signs towards WALTHAM ABBEY, proceed to traffic lights at T junction. Turn Ieft at traffic lights (A 112) . After approx. 2 miles turn left at Pillar Box into DAWS HILL. Follow the road for about I mile, ignoring the entrance at the crest of the hill. Go past the duck pond on your left the main entrance to Gilwell Park is on your right.
Coaches: In order to avoid tight bends in Daws Hill, should leave the M25 at Junction 26, but follow signs to LOUGHTON (not WALTHAM ABBEY. Proceed for 1 mile to large roundabout, taking 4th exit onto A 104. Continue along this road for 3 miles until you see CHINGFORD signed to the right. Turn right into RANGERS ROAD (A1069 and continue for I mile before turning right again into BURY ROAD. Gilwell Park is 1 mile on left.
From North Circular Road (A406): Follow signs to CHINGFORD AND NORTH CHINGFORD, beside Parish Church turn into STATION ROAD. Pass British Rail Station (on right) and turn left after petrol garage into BURY ROAD. Gilwell Park is 1 mile on Ieft.
British Rail: British Rail from Liverpool Street to Chingford.
Underground: Victoria Line to Walthamstow Central then change to British Rail to Chingford.
NB Gilwell Park is approximately 1 mile (1.5km) from Chingford Station there is a map in the Station ticket hall.
The Scout Association, The Gilwell Park Campsite, Chingford, London, E4
7QW
Telephone (0181) 498 5410 Fax (0181) 498 5417
Charity Registration Number: 306101
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