Deep in the Chiltern Hills, Woodrow High House helps more than 4,600 young people gain from wonderful new experiences every year. Outside the classroom, away from the pressures of inner-London, we work with young people beyond their normal environment with a profound effect on personal and social development. 

Many are growing up in difficult circumstances – many in poverty, many with special needs.

At the end of an overgrown lane, once home to Cromwell and Drake, Woodrow is a 17th century manor house and quite extraordinary space. In 21st century Britain, we think Woodrow offers something different: a home that’s 350 years old with character and corners that stay in the memory long into adulthood.

Beyond, lie 24 acres for exploration and noise plus a range of adventurous and team-building activities including archery, map reading and orienteering, pond dipping, team exercises, and ropes courses.

There is a swimming pool and sports hall, astroturf, sound studio and camp site. There’s even an observatory. 

Within the House, spacious, oak-panelled drawing rooms allow for group-based work, tackling the most pressing issues confronting young people. At Woodrow young people combine challenging and enjoyable activities with opportunities for reflection and discussion.

In the quiet of a summer evening or the stillness of fresh snow, stepping onto sweeping lawns or huddled beneath a giant cedar, nobody escapes a sense that Woodrow is special. Never is this better felt than when young people arrive, registering their simple, profound excitement that this House is theirs.

Yet even though we have been able to maintain the House year-on-year, it is clear that we need to do more to safeguard the fabric of this extraordinary estate.

This is why, following 18 months of investigation and planning, we have launched a major appeal to keep Woodrow working for future generations.

If successful, we will reach an additional 1,234 young people a year whilst simultaneously enhancing opportunities and securing our future.