Bentley Copse Activity Centre

15/09/2026

So you've camped and hiked at Bentley Copse — but did you know you were walking in the footsteps of Saxon settlers, a wartime family, and the man who planted 10,000 trees by hand?

Long before Scouts pitched the first tent here in 1918, this land already had a name and a history stretching back centuries. And the Copse you walk through today — the trees around the Camp Fire Circle, the owls carved into our entrances — is largely the legacy of one Warden, Percy Neville, who gave decades of weekends and holidays to shape it.

Over 100 years on, more than 20,000 young people now enjoy Bentley Copse every year. Curious how it all started?

Read the full story on our blog 👇
https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk/blog/history-of-bentley-copse/

09/09/2026

Would you like to lead climbing sessions for your Scouts, Cubs, Beavers or Squirrels? 🧗

Our Scout Climbing Permit Training Courses are back this autumn and winter, giving you the skills to deliver climbing and abseiling on artificial walls and towers in a Leadership role. Over the weekend you'll cover equipment selection, rigging ropes, belaying, briefings, abseiling, and problem-solving — everything you need to run safe, confident sessions for your group.

By the end, you'll be ready to discuss next steps ahead of formal assessment (please note: assessment isn't included in this particular weekend).

📅 October 17th–18th
📅 February 20th–21st (2027)
💷 £70 for Surrey Scouts, £120 out of county — accommodation available

Ready to add climbing to what you offer your group? Get in touch to book your place:

Youth group outdoor activity days, camps and school residentials in the Surrey Hills with 30+ activities. South East England's adventure centre - Book Now

08/09/2026

Archery GB Instructor Training 🏹
13th and 14th March 2027

Covers the syllabus and technical skills required to set up the range and safely run archery sessions.
This course includes the multiple choice and practical session assessment required for granting of the Archery GB Instructors Award certificate.
Price £220 for Scouts, £250 for non scouts.
Accommodation available.
Please see our Events and Courses page to register your interest:

https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk/training-courses/

18/08/2026

🌟 We've just been awarded a 5-star Food Hygiene Rating!

Well done to Jess who leads our in-house catering — a brilliant result and a reflection of the hard work and high standards Jess brings every day. Whether it's a big breakfast before a day of activities or a hearty dinner after, we make sure every young person who stays with us is fuelled for adventure.

It's also worth knowing if you're a school considering a residential trip, or know a school that is — full board catering is available on all our School Residentials, now backed by a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Find out more about our School Residentials: https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk/school-residentials/

05/08/2026

Bunting in the breeze, classic patrol tents in a row, big skies. A camp the young people won't forget.

This could be your troop or group next spring or summer.

Get in touch to plan your next adventure:
https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk/scouts-youth-groups/

22/07/2026

It is time to plan for Frost Camp
Amidst this heatwave are you dreaming of chilly nights, crisp mornings and brisk days packed with activities?
Frost Camp in January is our biggest and most popular event for adventurous Scouts.
Date for the diary - online bookings will open at 8pm on Sunday 27th September on the Bentley Copse website - https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk

15/07/2026

We're ready for the big match
With the site here busy with more than 200 young people from a single group - is the match on? You bet it is, and we're doing it in style on the big screen!

10/07/2026

The Bentley Copse team have been out providing PPE inspection services to a local group, as well as providing rescue cover for the inspector checking over their wall. If you need help managing group or district owned climbing equipment, get in touch.

10/07/2026

Develop your skills with us at Bentley

There's nothing like hands-on practical learning to really embed new skills. Join us here at Bentley Copse on one of our upcoming outdoor activity leadership training courses:

Scout Climbing Permit Training: 17th / 18th October
PPE User Checks Training: 14th November
Scout Climbing Permit Training: 20th / 21st February 2027
Archery GB Instructors Award: 13th / 14th March 2027

Accommodation available
Book now at: https://www.bentleycopse.org.uk/booking/course/

10/07/2026

Outdoor education hits parliament

Giving young people fulfilling outdoor experiences is what we live and breath every day here at Bentley Copse, and central to the ethos of the Scout Association we belong to. On Tuesday, Caroline Voaden MP introduced the Outdoor Education Bill to Parliament under the Ten Minute Rule. The introductory statement is available online to watch or read. Regardless of the politics, as a group of people that know the benefits of outdoor education from first hand experience, we felt that this would make an interesting read.

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2026-07-07/debates/7EE557A9-DB31-4E05-98B1-453DEF7E9D3E/OutdoorEducation

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002z98h/ten-minute-rule-bill-outdoor-education

Coverage of the ten minute rule bill on outdoor education which would require that all children in primary and secondary education spend a minimum of thirty minutes a day outdoors during school hours.