The Gordon Brown Centre is a long-established outdoor learning centre near Hook in Hampshire which offers seasonal family activity breaks perfect for active children (and grown-ups!). These holidays are all about swapping screens for campfires and escaping the day-to-day: think bell tents, sharing meals under canvas, and days spent learning new skills like archery, fire lighting, den building and more. It’s immersive, inclusive and full of fresh air – perfect for families who fancy a hands-on break together.
Type: camping / quirky stay
Size: up to six people in each tent
Cost: from £69 per person per night
Location: Hampshire
Great for: children | tweens and teens
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Contact details & location
Web: Click here for website (link opens in new tab)
Address: Gordon Brown Centre, Ridge Ln, Rotherwick, Hook, RG27 9AT
Tel: 020 8937 6644
The Gordon Brown Centre is located just outside Hook in North Hampshire, making it very easy to reach for families in London or the South East. While most of your time will likely be spent enjoying the activities onsite, there are also a few local gems worth exploring if you extend your stay. The Milestones Museum in Basingstoke offers a brilliant indoor day out with costumed actors, vintage sweet shops, and hands-on exhibits. Wellington Country Park, just 15 minutes away, has a petting farm, dinosaur trails, and adventure playgrounds that are ideal for younger kids. You’re also within easy reach of Birdworld, Marwell Zoo, Chessington World of Adventures and Paulton’s Park.
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
FOR THE KIDS
FOR THE GROWN-UPS
Our review of family activity breaks at the Gordon Brown Centre
ACCOMMODATION AND PRICES
Accommodation at the Gordon Brown Centre is refreshingly down-to-earth, with just the essentials you’ll need to support the full-on fun of an outdoor family break. You’ll be staying in a spacious family tent, with separate shared toilet and shower facilities.
The tents are arranged around a central field with fire pits, toilet blocks, and outdoor activity zones. It’s simple, communal living with all the basics in place: mattresses, lighting, access to showers and loos, and Wi-Fi in some areas. Guests must bring their own duvets, pillows, sheets and towels, so don’t expect top end luxury!
For an idea of prices, a fun-packed activity stay including 6 x activities, food and an overnight stay in a family tent can be booked from just £69 per person, including during the school holidays and weekends.
CHILD FRIENDLY HOLIDAY FEATURES
The Gordon Brown Centre’s family activity breaks are designed with kids in mind, from curious young children to energetic teens. The daytime schedule is packed with structured outdoor learning and adventure, led by experienced staff. Activities vary by season, but families can expect a mix of fire-lighting and bushcraft, archery, shelter-building, and low-ropes team challenges; all good fun and great for building confidence and cooperation.
The centre’s 25-acre site includes woodland trails, open fields, a mini animal farm with pigs, chickens and ducks, and a large yurt for indoor crafts or wet-weather days. Kids will love the freedom to run around, get muddy, and try new skills without the pressure of school or screens.
Evenings often involve campfires with marshmallow toasting, storytelling and a real community feel among families. Younger children are welcome too, and although some of the activities are tailored for ages 6 and up, toddlers and preschoolers are welcome to explore the woods alongside parents or enjoy quieter corners of the site.
PARENT FRIENDLY HOLIDAY FEATURES
While the main focus is definitely family time in the great outdoors, the Gordon Brown Centre still manages to sneak in some thoughtful touches for grown-ups.
Everything is fully catered, so you don’t need to plan meals or even bring camping stoves with you. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided, with dietary needs catered for, and there’s always tea, coffee and snacks on hand in communal areas. Shared meal times take place in a marquee or dining hall and offer a great way to chat with other parents while the kids play nearby.
Parents will appreciate the low-stress structure of the day; all activities are led by trained staff, meaning you get to enjoy the experience alongside your children without the burden of planning any of the activities yourself! There’s enough downtime built in for a stroll around the woods, a quiet cuppa, or just relaxing by the fire.
Wi-Fi is available in parts of the site (especially indoors), so you’re not totally off the grid, and there’s good mobile signal for most networks. Free parking is included.
IN SUMMARY…
Family activity breaks at the Gordon Brown Centre are a warm, welcoming and refreshingly simple holiday. You won’t find fluffy robes or cocktails here – but you will come away with happy, mud-streaked children and family stories you’ll be telling for weeks. We think it’s a brilliant holiday choice for active families looking for something a bit different.
In video
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