Located in the Ashdown Forest, the home of Winnie the Pooh, Hindleap Warren is a grand site dating back to the 1300s. London Youth rented Hindleap from the Manor Charitable Trust in 1964, and the site was used by the charity for camping and outdoor activities by youth groups, until the first accommodation was put up in the late 60s. In 1989, the site was gifted to London Youth, by the Trust.

King Edward III gifted Ashdown Forest to his son, John of Gaunt, establishing it as Lancaster Great Park, a deer hunting estate. The park remained intact for nearly 300 years, setting the foundation for Hindleap’s rich history.

Ashdown Forest was divided into parcels, with “Hyndleap” Warren covering 588 acres. The land was used for wood production through coppicing and pollarding and contributed to the local iron ore industry.

The Manor Charitable Trust leased Hindleap to the London Federation of Boys Clubs for a nominal rent. A group of volunteers built the first log cabin, which became a base for youth camping activities.

The first residential chalets, accommodating 50 people, were constructed with support from Fred Pontins. This marked a shift towards Hindleap becoming a permanent residential outdoor education centre.

Thanks to the Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation, the old chalets were replaced with a new centre that contained 60 beds, increasing Hindleap’s capacity. In the 80s, the centre started to add in bunk beds to increase capacity, taking the number of beds up to 90 at the time. This was to be the footprint of the current main centre that still stands today. This was the year that also saw the addition of key outdoor features, including a climbing wall, zip wire, and high ropes course.

The Activenture Holidays and Respite Scheme for young people with disabilities and special needs, starts to operate out of Hindleap Warren, under the auspices of the British Red Cross (Sussex Counties Branch). Princess Diana visits the centre in 1985 as Patron to The British Red Cross, spending some time with young people enjoying their Activenture Holidays. Rather than close down such a beloved programme, London Youth took on the running of Activenture in 1999, hosting the holidays at both Hindleap and Woodrow every year, until it ceased to operate in 2013. A key legacy of the Activenture model was young members of the Red Cross had to volunteer as “buddies” for young people with special needs during these holidays, which was replicated when London Youth operated the programme.

On Diana’s first official visit, in July 1985, she met children at a Red Cross adventure camp for young people with disabilities at Hindleap.

The Great Storm destroyed all outdoor activity facilities in one night. In a remarkable effort, Hindleap staff rebuilt everything within three weeks, allowing groups to return quickly.

With the support of Jimmy Dixon, Hindleap doubled its capacity to 187 beds. New offices, storage facilities, and an indoor archery range were also introduced, significantly enhancing the centre.

For the first time since the Great Storm, Hindleap was forced to close due to COVID-19. Activities resumed in June 2021, marking a triumphant return for residential groups.

Exciting additions like axe throwing and a nine-hole disc golf course were introduced, with an 18-hole course planned. These activities continue Hindleap’s legacy of offering diverse outdoor experiences.