Our Story

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre

The Oxenwood Story

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre has been providing tailor-made outdoor learning experiences for schools, clubs and groups for over 50 years. We work with hundreds of young people and adults each year to deliver adventure activities, Curriculum Enrichment Days, team-building exercises and group residentials.

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre is an old Edwardian school building with an interesting history, including a successful campaign to save the Centre from closure in 2018 and a Royal reopening in 2020.

From a 1900’s village primary school to a busy outdoor learning and residential centre, this is the story of Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre.

1904-1968

Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre was originally built in 1904 as a primary school for the local Parish, in response to the Education Act of 1902. Oxenwood remained a small, local village school until 1968 when it closed due to low pupil numbers.

1969-1995

After some modifications and adaptations, the former Oxenwood School site was reopened in 1969 as a Field Studies Centre for groups to visit and stay whilst undertaking their geography and science studies. The Centre has been known as Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre ever since. Over the the years, Oxenwood gradually expanded its provision with the introduction of core outdoor activities such as mountain biking, water sports and archery.

Oxenwood Field Studies Centre – 1970

1996-2018

In 1996 Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre was modernised to include new washroom facilities and a kitchen which allowed the Centre to introduce catering for visitors. From the early 2000’s Oxenwood also started offering heritage and history-themed activities to further support schools with their curriculum. Curriculum Enrichment Days have proven very popular and continue to set Oxenwood apart from other residential and outdoor learning centres.

Up until 2019, Oxenwood was owned and operated by the Youth Development Service at Wiltshire Council. In March 2018, Wiltshire Council announced that Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre would close. Following the announcement, a group of local people launched a successful campaign to save the Centre. Over 16,000 signatures were collected as part of a petition.

2019-Present

In October 2019, Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre was purchased by local charity Community First. The charity supports people, places and communities across Wiltshire and Swindon and has a history of working with Oxenwood through its award-winning ‘youth work’ arm Youth Action Wiltshire.

Oxenwood was officially reopened in July 2020 by Community First Patron Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall (now Her Majesty The Queen). Her Royal Highness visited Oxenwood to meet some of the young people supported through Youth Action Wiltshire, receive a tour of the Centre and meet some of the staff and Trustees. Her Royal Highness also cut the ribbon to reopen the Centre.

With support from Community First, Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre continues to thrive. The Centre provides valuable opportunities for schools, clubs and groups to experience the benefits of learning outside the classroom, including adventure activities, literacy/history days and residentials.