Butchers Coppice is a nationally recognised centre of excellence with outstanding facilities
Butchers Coppice is the perfect venue for meetings, corporate teambuilding events, indoor and outdoor youth residential experiences and adventurous activities for people of all ages
we welcome Scout and Guide Groups, schools and other bona-fide youth organisations from around the World
activities…
if you’re looking for an adventure, you’ve come to the right place!
with an exceptional variety of activities available on-site and even more to do in the local area, there’s plenty to keep you busy for weeks!
on-site choose from eight different high ropes activities, archery, air rifle shooting, Tomahawk throwing and fencing, artificial simulated caving in the Cavebus, five different climbing wall activities, three different team work activities, three outdoor play activities and fourteen other indoor and outdoor activities!
nearby you’ll find a even more to do… enjoy seven miles of award winning beaches, the New Forest, the Jurassic Coast or the beautiful Isle of Purbeck – there’s one of the largest selection of tourist attractions anywhere in the country, with something for everyone, and we’re the closest Scout campsite to Brownsea Island, the birthplace of Scouting!
meeting rooms, conference facilities, corporate entertainment and teambuilding…
somewhere to meet… somewhere to celebrate… a training venue… whether it’s a regular meeting, an AGM, a one-off event or a celebration, we have three halls complete with tables, chairs, benches and fully equipped kitchens – perfect, whatever the occasion, without the hotel price tag…. nice weather? why not use the shack – our outdoor covered classroom!
if you want to add something special, why not try one of our adventurous activities while you’re here!
BBQ and picnic areas…
we’ve got a picnic area and BBQ area, both equipped with picnic tables – we also have a large gas griddle which can be hired to make light work of cooking your burgers and hot dogs even for the larger group – both can be booked to fit in with your programme
tuck shop and Scout shop…
our tuck shop, Harry’s Provi, offers a variety of sweets, drinks, confectionery and souvenirs, all very reasonably priced!
the tuck shop is usually open daily, but we will confirm the arrangements during your stay when you arrive on site
we’re also home to Bournemouth Scout Shop – the Scout Shop stocks Scout uniform, the iScout clothing range, the full range of badges and awards, certificates, publications, a range of woggles, camping essentials like torches, mallets, tent pegs and camp blankets as well as Butchers Coppice and Scout branded souvenirs and gifts for every budget
the shop also offers a photocopying service
the shop is usually open on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings (excluding public holidays) with additional opening hours during peak periods
indoor accommodation…
if you prefer a solid roof over your head we have three indoor accommodation centres; the Jubilee Centre sleeps 34, the Dad Atkins Centre sleeps 42 and the Explorer Centre has the potential to sleep up to 20
the Jubilee Centre and Dad Atkins Centre both have fully equipped kitchens, toilets, hot showers and central heating
the Explorer Centre has thermostatically controlled electric heating, a kitchen and a single toilet with the toilet and shower block just across the way
we also have the Butchers Coppice Caravan, sleeping up to six in one double and two twin rooms – ideal for a family, more mature campers or a smaller Explorer or Network group
camping…
for campers we offer a choice of sites, either on the field or one of our individual copse sites
toilets and showers…
in addition to the toilet and shower facilities in the indoor accommodation centres, we have a modern toilet and shower block at the copse entrance to the field to serve campers and day/evening site visitors
the facilities, built in 2007, offer free male and female toilets and hot water showers as well as separate washing points
the block also includes separate disabled toilets and showers and a baby changing area
Bournemouth Scout Museum
our little Bournemouth Scout Museum includes a collection of Scouting memorabilia from keen collectors past and present – photographs, badges, awards, old uniform, publications and other artifacts are all on display to visitors
campfire circle…
you are welcome to use our campfire circle in the copse area – we organise a weekly campfire (usually on a Wednesday evening) for all visitors in the school summer holidays
the Chapel…
you are welcome to use our Chapel in the copse area for religious observances
there are several local places of worship close to the campsite
wildlife garden…
the BBC Breathing Places wildlife garden at Butchers Coppice was created in June 2008 in an abandoned corner of the site, which was transformed by the BBC’s SpringWatch Action Team (SWAT)
Butchers Coppice already attracted a variety of wildlife including Squirrels, Foxes, Badgers, Woodpeckers, Tree Creepers, Nuthatches and even the occasional Buzzard!
the makeover was driven by BBC Radio Solent in partnership with Bournemouth Scouts, the TCV and the RSPB as part of a UK-wide initiative under the BBC’s SpringWatch series – our wildlife garden was one of 50 projects to turn neglected spaces in to breathing places
whilst it is open to visitors, our wildlife garden is still very young and we have lots planned! in time we hope the wildlife garden will become home to hundreds of insects, birds, plants and animals and we want to use the area to help teach young people about the wildlife that lives at Butchers Coppice
shopping…
there are a variety of large 24 hour supermarkets close to the campsite including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Lidl
there is also an early-late convenience store just five minutes walk from the campsite
Tesco, Sainsbury’s and ASDA all deliver to the site
fires…
every individual camping area on the site has it’s own fire area, a concrete base where you can build your fire directly on to the floor
if you prefer, we have a number of alter fires, stands and fire grids – particularly useful if you plan to cook over an open fire
the site has a well-stocked wood pile at the Duck Lane entrance to the field, mainly comprising of pallet wood
we ask that fires are only lit for a specific purpose and not left burning for prolonged periods of time as we are in a residential area
if you want to practice fire lighting as a skill we have a firelighting area, specifically designed to teach young people how to build and light a fire
if you’re looking to have a sing-song around an open fire then why not use our campfire circle, the perfect venue for some outdoor entertainment!
mobile phones…
the campsite has excellent coverage on all mobile phone networks
adults are welcome to use one of our recharging lockers located in the foyer in the toilet and shower block (a key deposit is required)
freezers…
all indoor accommodation centres have fridges and freezers in their kitchens
freezers are available for campers at reception to re-freeze your freezer blocks
WiFi and the internet…
a wireless internet connection is available which covers the majority of the site – you will need a WiFi key, which can be obtained from reception
vehicle access…
all indoor accommodation centres and field camping sites have easy vehicle access and all copse camping sites are within a very short walk of vehicle access
trolleys can be provided to help you move your kit if necessary
recycling and waste…
a recycling system is in operation at the campsite
non-recyclable waste is collected regularly
local information and weather reports…
reception is open daily and our team will be more than happy to provide you with information such as weather forecasts or directions to local places of interest or give advice and assistance