Hampshire Scout Heritage set out stall for most ambitious event yet: Heritage Fest

Hampshire Scout Heritage, the support team tasked with recording, preserving and bringing to life the rich story of Scouting's past, are organising their most ambitious event yet!

Heritage Fest is a free event open to young people and adults both within and from outside of Scouting. It takes place on Saturday 11th April 2026, between 10am and 5pm.

Their venue is the 1st Chandler's Ford Scout hall on Brickfield Lane, Chandler's Ford (SO53 4DP, 2 minutes from M3 J13) which has been hosting adventures since 1965 and was opened by Ralph Reader who created the first Gang Show to showcase Scouting's theatrical and musical talents.

Get hands-on

The day promises hands-on activities, living history and classic Scouting skills, including being able to try your hand at blacksmithing with Scout Alfred, shaping metal the traditional way, creating your own Scout badge to take home, and branding leather for woggles or decoration - a Scout craft classic.

Plus there are plenty of skills on offer which may boost the existing skills of our Scouts, including learning new knots with members of the experienced ‘The International Knotting Guild’, making rope using traditional methods, and picking up fresh bushcraft skills, from simple techniques to clever campcraft.

Learn more

There's plenty of stories and historical records on display during the day, ideal for those tracking family history or community stories:

• Discover the remarkable story of the Rover Scout Units in German POW camps during World War 2, and how Scouting spirit endured behind the wire.
• Find out who was in Scouting in Hampshire in 1960, with records from the era.
• Learn about the Hampshire Scout leaders who gave their lives in World War 1 and World War 2 and the legacy they left behind.

Guests can explore many of the exhibits normally on display at the Hampshire Scout Heritage Centre at Ferny Crofts, brought together especially for this event as well as some of the largest collection of Scout badges in the UK, spanning decades of Scouting history.

Plus, for those looking for refreshment those are on offer from “Spam and Roll”, and for those looking for retail therapy or to add to their collection, you can browse old stock from the Arrow District Scout Shop, with treasures from years gone by.

It's a truly ambitious event from the team, they are so excited to see lots of people coming to visit and learn more about the adventure and friendship of the Scouts.

You can read more stories from Hampshire Scout's Heritage on their website. Plus, you can find out more about the 1st Chandler's Ford's attempts to upgrade their hall on our website.

You can find a poster for this event here.