Hampshire County Council has unveiled proposals to secure the future of its six Outdoor and Study Centres, with a £2 million investment earmarked for essential maintenance through to 2028 benefiting thousands of young people annually.
More than 25,000 children participate in outdoor education programmes at the centres each year, with experienced staff delivering activities in picturesque settings. These opportunities enable youngsters to develop resilience, engage with the natural world, and participate in educational experiences that often prove life-changing, leaving lasting impressions. An additional 80,000 people across all age groups use the sites for leisure activities, establishing the centres as a cornerstone of Hampshire’s outdoor provision. The County Council is poised to examine recommendations designed to strengthen the centres’ financial position and guarantee their continued operation.
The three-year strategy proposes that the County Council allocates £2 million from its reserves specifically for critical upkeep work, ensuring the centres maintain safe and high-standard operations until 2028. Cabinet members will assess the recommendations later this month.
Councillor Kirsty North, Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, commented: “Countless Hampshire youngsters have reaped the rewards of outdoor education at council-operated centres over the years. Annually, thousands of children get the opportunity to build resilience, connect with their natural surroundings, and take part in genuinely transformative learning. These centres aren’t simply destinations; they’re environments where self-assurance develops, bonds are forged, and enduring memories take shape. However, given the severe financial constraints facing the County Council, ensuring these centres are optimally positioned becomes crucial, particularly with impending local government restructuring. The centres’ financial position has improved considerably recently, and Cabinet has requested proposals exploring ways to establish the strongest possible foundation for their future.”
A transformation initiative has enabled the centres to enhance their financial performance by approximately £480,000 across the previous three years (2022/23–2024/25), forming part of broader council efficiency measures.
The recommendations outline a fresh commercial approach to accelerate growth, including establishing new partnerships and extending visitor stays. Whilst educational programmes operate at all six sites, some additionally provide non-educational leisure options for families, individuals, and community organisations, such as Calshot, Tile Barn in the New Forest, and Runway’s End near Basingstoke, which feature accommodation, camping facilities, and diverse adventure and leisure pursuits.
Beyond 2028, the County Council is anticipated to undergo structural changes following central Government requirements regarding local authority reorganisation, potentially resulting in the outdoor centres transferring to successor bodies.
The six centres comprise:
- Calshot Activities Centre – Among Britain’s largest activity venues, situated on the Solent, delivering water and land-based programmes from historic aircraft hangars.
- Minstead Study Centre – A New Forest environmental facility concentrating on sustainability and educational visits.
- Runway’s End Outdoor Centre – Positioned in woodland alongside the Basingstoke Canal, providing adventure and environmental programmes.
- Stubbington Study Centre – A coastal venue offering residential educational visits and outdoor learning connected to wildlife environments.
- Tile Barn Outdoor Centre – A 14-acre New Forest location featuring bunkhouse lodging, camping, and adventure pursuits.
- Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Education Centre – A traditional Welsh farmhouse in mountainous terrain, delivering challenging countryside activities, operated through successful partnership with the Portal Trust, which focuses on enabling disadvantaged young people to access educational opportunities.
