Gilwell Park was an estate located in the suburbs of London, England which was bought for The Scout Association in 1919, by Mr. de Bois Maclaren for £10,000 for use as a campsite for Scouts and a training center for Scout Leaders.
Gilwell Park is situated on the edge of the picturesque Epping Forest, yet is within easy travelling distance of the sights of London. The Greenwich Meridian (the line of zero longitude) runs through the campsite. The land was, at an earlier time, owned by King Henry VIII, who built a hunting lodge for his son Edward. A later owner of the land built a more substantial house around the lodge, which eventually became known as the White House.
Francis Gidney, the first Camp Chief, conducted the first Wood Badge course in September of 1919 at Gilwell Park, the home of leadership training in the Scout Movement. Leaders all over the world become part of the Gilwell Troop (First Gilwell Park Scout Group) upon completion of the Wood Badge. These leaders are henceforth called Wood Badgers or Gilwellians. Wherever Wood Badgers meet is called Gilwell Field.
The First Gilwell Park Scout Group meets every first week-end of September in Gilwell Park for the Gilwell Reunion.
As with Brownsea Island and Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Gilwell Park is one of the great landmarks of the world Scouting movement. The site can accommodate events for up to 10,000. It contains a range of camp sites, indoor accommodations and activities, suitable for all sections of the Scouting Movement. Gilwell Park can also be hired for non-Scout activities, such as conferences and wedding receptions.