Foxie's Future buys Foxlease activities centre in Lyndhurst

A charity launched in a bid to buy the Foxlease facility near Lyndhurst in Hampshire and secure its future has successfully purchased the property from Girlguiding UK.

The centre is well-known as a Girlguiding UK base - and guides from the Isle of Wight have long travelled across the Solent to attend events there.

Foxie's Future has bought the entire site, including an elegant Georgian mansion, with the help of a government grant.

Hazel Warwick, chair of trustees, said: “We've raised huge funds - in excess of £4m - in the 18 months since the charity was incorporated.

"Our most significant thanks must go to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for its total grant award of £1.78m from Round 3 of the Community Ownership Fund.

"We couldn't have done it without that significant and valuable contribution, which has enabled us to acquire the historic site for the benefit of the community.

“Our sincere thanks also go to our secondary grant funders, a number of which are locally based or have community roots in the New Forest and we are very grateful for their capital support of our project."

Foxlease has been providing adventures for young people since it was gifted to Girlguiding in 1922 (Image: Newsquest)

Hazel also praised everyone else who has helped the charity secure the future of Foxlease.

She said: "The acquisition phase of the project has been a series of challenges and it has taken our community of supporters to get us over the purchase line to where we are now."

READ MORE: New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis raps Girlguiding UK over disposal of Foxlease activities centre

Trustee Emma Stevens added: "We can't wait to get stuck into Phase 2 - bringing the next generation of Foxlease to life.

"Our aim is to open on a phased basis for camping, residentials, and community use from mid-February 2025."

In a message to potential users she added: "We'll be sharing information on booking in the coming days but please do start planning your visit for next year now as early bookings are hugely important for us."

Foxlease has been providing adventures for young people since it was gifted to Girlguiding in 1922 (Image: Newsquest)

Foxlease had been under threat since May 2023, when Girlguiding UK unveiled plans to close five activity centres across the country to cut costs.

The decision to axe the "hugely loved" site sparked shock and outrage, with more than 57,000 people signing protest petitions.

READ MORE: Historic past of Foxlease uncovered - including visit by Princess Margaret

In September 2023 Girlguiding UK came under fire during a Parliamentary debate hosted by Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage, who described the proposed closures as "bizarre".

Julian Lewis, MP for New Forest East, added: "I have been watching this developing disaster with increasing horror."

Earlier this year Foxie's Future's attempt to buy the site was rejected. But a subsequent U-turn by Girlguiding UK resulted in the charity being named as the preferred bidder.

A Girlguiding UK spokesperson said: "We’re glad that Foxlease is today entering a new chapter under the ownership and management of Foxie’s Future.

"Foxie’s Future is a charity committed to preserving Foxlease’s legacy and has exciting plans to keep the centre thriving as a campsite, activity centre, and community resource for Girlguiding members and the wider public.

"This next step ensures that generations to come will continue to benefit from all Foxlease has to offer, and we look forward to working with them in the future.  

"Girlguiding's trustees took time to carefully consider every possible opportunity for Foxlease in the future.

"The final decision came down to acting in the best interests of Girlguiding, all our members across the UK, and in accordance with charity law, as we have done for each activity centre sale."

Denise Wilson, Girlguiding’s chair of the board of trustees, and Tracy Foster, chief guide and trustee, said: “On behalf of the trustees, we wanted to express how delighted we are that Foxie’s Future are the new owners of Foxlease.

"We look forward to working together so that Girlguiding members can continue to experience adventure at Foxlease in the future.”