Each year, more than 25,000 children take part in outdoor learning programmes at the Centres, delivered by expert staff in inspiring natural settings. These experiences help young people build confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection with the environment - creating memories that last a lifetime. In addition, around 80,000 people of all ages enjoy a wide range of recreational activities across the sites, making the Centres a vital part of Hampshire’s outdoor offer.
Councillor Kirsty North, Cabinet Lead for Universal Services, said: “I’m delighted that the County Council has approved a plan that reflects our wholehearted commitment to the future of our six Outdoor and Study Centres. The aim is to explore new ways to help the Centres thrive - including encouraging more people to visit and enjoy these fantastic sites - backed by an immediate £2 million investment in building maintenance.
“As we look ahead to potential changes in local government, our priority is to ensure the Centres are in the strongest possible position to be passed on to any future successor bodies. In the meantime, we want to encourage residents, communities, schools, and businesses to make full use of the Centres and take advantage of the incredible opportunities they offer.”
Thanks to a transformation programme, the Centres have boosted their finances by around £480,000 over the past three years (2022/23–2024/25). This is part of wider steps by the Council to transform how it works.
The new commercial strategy for the Centres will further drive growth, including identifying new partnerships and encouraging more people to stay at the sites for longer periods. While all six Centres offer educational programmes, several also provide non-educational recreational opportunities for families, individuals, and community groups including at Calshot, Tile Barn in the New Forest, and Runway’s End near Basingstoke, which offer accommodation, camping, and a wide range of adventure and leisure activities.
After 2028, the expectation is that the County Council will not exist in its current form due to anticipated changes in the structure of local councils, as part of central Government requirements, meaning that the Outdoor Centres would potentially transfer to successor councils for them to manage.
The six Centres include:
• Calshot Activities Centre – One of Britain’s largest activity centres, located on the Solent, offering water and land-based activities from historic hangars.
• Minstead Study Centre – An environmental centre in the New Forest, focused on sustainability and school visits.
• Runway’s End Outdoor Centre – Set in woodland beside the Basingstoke Canal, offering adventure and environmental activities.
• Stubbington Study Centre – A coastal centre providing residential school visits and outdoor education linked to wildlife habitats.
• Tile Barn Outdoor Centre – A 14-acre New Forest site with bunkhouse accommodation, camping, and adventure activities.
• Argoed Lwyd Outdoor Education Centre – A traditional Welsh farmhouse in the mountains, offering challenging countryside activities, run in successful partnership with the Portal Trust whose focus is supporting disadvantaged young people to access educational opportunities.