A New Chapter For Woodmill
Southampton City Scouts takes over operation of Woodmill from 1st September 2025 to begin a new community-led future for the activity centre
Southampton City Scouts marked the start of our stewardship of the Woodmill Outdoor Centre by holding a massive volunteer effort. Over 80 dedicated volunteers, ranging in age from 7 to 70+, met onsite over the weekend contributed over 500 hours to a transformative clean-up of the site. Our work included electrical and plumbing repairs, servicing activity equipment, clearing overgrown areas, and extensive deep cleaning.
We are proud to have taken over operation of the historic Woodmill Outdoor Centre, described by one volunteer as “a little oasis in a large city.” This new chapter will ensure the beloved community space remains available for everyone to enjoy.
Our vision is to create a place where every community group can enjoy the outdoors: from camping to discovering the water for the first time. We believe every young person deserves the chance to experience adventure, build confidence, and connect with nature, no matter their background.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together and unlock local adventure, wildlife, and outdoor education for everyone in Southampton. We're excited to work with both Scouts and non-Scouts to transform Woodmill and lead the centre into a new chapter as a community-led venue."
- Josh Smith, Lead Volunteer for Southampton City Scouts.
“As a young person who benefited from the site in the past, I’m grateful for the opportunity to help Woodmill continue to be a part of the local community and help other young people in the future.”
- An Explorer Scout who helped with the clean-up.
A Centre Built by Community, for Community
At the heart of Woodmill’s future is partnership. Our vision is a community-led space that welcomes everyone where people from all walks of life can connect with nature, discover adventure, and build lifelong skills.
Collaboration is central to who we are as Scouts. It’s how we work across the city already, and it’s how we’ll lead at Woodmill. So far we have partnered with over 20 local charities and community groups, such as the Wessex Rivers Trust, Friends of Woodmill Fly Fishing, and Southampton Canoe Club.
“The Plan offers an excellent opportunity to put an important piece into the jigsaw of salmon population recovery, and link the site to a wider vision for the ecology of the Lower River Itchen. Being on the doorstep of a community who care deeply for the river, the proposals provide new ways for people to connect with this wonderful place."
- Dave Rumble (CEO) at the Wessex Rivers Trust
“Southampton Canoe Club is incredibly grateful to continue calling Woodmill our home, and we’re excited to be working alongside the Scouts to keep growing the local paddlesport community.”
- A coach from Southampton Canoe Club
Bookings
The site is now in a transitional period as we take over operation of the site. This includes carrying out necessary checks and certifications on equipment, such as boats and climbing equipment. This impacts the availability of what we can offer.
We have contacted all existing bookings and will be working with them to support them where we are able to with running a programme to meet their needs.
If you would like to visit Woodmill or use its facilities, please get in touch with our friendly volunteer team: