Skip to main content

Gilwell Park

Self-guided Gilwell Park Heritage Trail

Explore the 108 acre Gilwell Park at your own pace by using one of our Heritage Trails. Our guides, designed either for young people or adults, will lead you round nine of Gilwell Park’s most fascinating heritage locations. The trails are free to pick up from the White House and Activity Centre receptions. You can discover who really stayed in the Pig Sty and why Gilwell Park is home to a caravan that sounds like a cake! 

Any donations to support the ongoing maintenance of the Heritage Collection are always most welcome. Donations can either be made online or using the donations box at reception.

Discover the Heritage Trail

Guided Tours

We offer a guided tour of Gilwell Park, which'll help you explore the sites fascinating 600-year history. The full tour takes between 1 and 1.5 hours to complete, however we can offer a condensed version if needed.

Due to the rural nature of the site, some areas involve crossing rough or uneven ground. In wet weather it can also be muddy. We'd recommend wearing walking boots or wellies. If walking or moving on uneven surfaces would be difficult anyone in your group, please let us know and we can adapt the route as needed.

This service is available free of charge, however we welcome donations towards the ongoing cost of maintaining the Heritage Collection. Donations can be made online, where you can select Heritage Support from the drop-down list. You can also make donations at Gilwell Park receptions or send a cheque made payable to The Scout Association.

Please email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

Talks

The Heritage Service are able to offer a range of talks at Gilwell Park, by visiting groups in the local area or over a digital platform such as Zoom. Topics currently available include:

  • Women, war and Wolf Cubs: the development of Scouts during the First World War
  • The story of Scouting, from 1908 to 1920
  • Gilwell Park: from medieval manor to Scouts wonderland 600 years of history
  • Brownsea Island: the birthplace of a Movement

This service is available free of charge, however we welcome donations towards the ongoing cost of maintaining the Heritage Collection. 

You can donate online, by selecting Heritage Support from the drop-down list. You can also make donations at Gilwell Park receptions or send a cheque made payable to The Scout Association.

Please email [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

 

Visiting Gilwell Park 

Travel 

Nearest train station/bus station: Chingford station is on the Transport for London Weaver Line, travel time from Liverpool Street Station is about 28 minutes.  

Walking to Gilwell Park: there is a footpath/pavement from Chingford to 50m from the Gilwell Park drive. Please take care walking on the road for this last section. 

Parking: Visitor car parking in Branchet car park, off the right side of the main drive. ///lives.forest.stack 

Electric car charging points are available in the Branchet car park. 

Opening times 

  • Day visitors: the site is open to day visitors from 9am – 6pm, Monday – Sunday. The site is closed from 20 December – 3 January. 

  • Reception: Visitors should come to the Syd Kesseler Centre to be welcomed to the site and book in. 

  • Residential visitors should liaise with Scout Adventures to book facilitated sessions or sessions requiring resources.  

Access around the site 

  • Footpaths and routes around the site: most of the site is accessible by level footpaths and tarmacked roads. Some areas are only accessible across fields which are uneven and may not be suitable for wheelchairs, particularly after wet weather when the ground will be muddy. Our team will be happy to help you plan a route which suits you. 

  • Toilets: there are number of toilets available around the site. There are accessible toilets available at the Syd Kesseler Centre, the White House, HQ offices and campsite toilet blocks. 

  • Assistance dogs are welcome on site. 

  • Accessible car parking: if you’re visiting the HQ offices there are dedicated car parking spaces next to the offices. 

Accessibility and the Heritage Offer 

  • Tours and talks:  we can arrange BSL interpreted talks and tours, please give at least two weeks notice. Please email [email protected] 

  • Tactile tours: we can arrange tactile tours of Gilwell Park exploring the sculptures around the site. Please email [email protected]  

  • Mobility requirements on guided tours: if you have any concerns about the length of a tour or walking over uneven ground please mention this at time of booking and we can plan a route to accommodate your needs. We have light weight camping stools which can be used to rest during stops on the tour. 

  • Research visits: you’ll be hosted in the HQ offices. There is a lift to the first floor and an accessible toilet on this level. We have fire evacuation chairs and trained colleagues in case of an emergency.  

  • Audio content:  

    • AV content used within our heritage displays is subtitled. The digital kiosks are hearing loop compatible.  

    • There is no noise from AV content within the Adventure Gallery. 

    • There are audio descriptions available for the paintings on display in the Adventure Gallery. These can be accessed on your personal devices or through the digital kiosks in the gallery. 

    • Sensory needs: the Adventure Gallery has noise buffering ceiling to help limit loud noise, particularly when groups are visiting.  

Online Gilwell exhibition

Gilwell Park is the spiritual home of Scouting attracting visitors from around the world. If you'd like to find out more about its fascinating history you can visit our online exhibition.

Visit the exhibition >
Gilwell Park Scout Adventure Centre

Gilwell Park is primarily a Scout Adventures Activity Centre welcoming over 40,000 young people every year.  During their visit they will learn skills for life by experiencing a wonderful time of fun and adventure. 

Visit Scout Adventures >