Following the death of Lord Stamford in 1976, the Stamford Estate was left to the National Trust. To maximise access, the then campsite was required for car parking, and the Scouts moved across the deer park to the current campsite which is accessible via Farm Walk from Dunham Road (A56). We had gas – but no electricity! This site was officially opened in 1980.

When we moved onto the site, we had three buildings – the Warden’s Accommodation including a providore, the toilet block and a basic indoor hall with a kitchen. There was one large rectangular field which was soon planted up with small trees and hedging to give ten individual areas suitable for patrols and troops to camp with a central activity area.

Later we added electricity for the buildings, Parkers Pool for water activities. The refurbished indoor hall became the Frank Harrop Lodge with a bedroom wing and improved facilities. The Warden’s accommodation was extended to provide an equipment store at one end, plus the Blanchard bunkhouse, and Tackle Store and garage.

We have built ranges on the lower part of the site for archery and air-rifles, several climbing frames over the years and a scaffold tower (since removed). Since 2020 we have added a large climbing frame near Parkers Pool – and a zip wire due in 2022.

We have extended the toilet and washing facilities three times to enable better facilities, and separated adults from young people. There is further refurbishment planned for 2023.