Haughley Park is the district’s campsite: open parkland, woodland and campfire circles between Haughley and Wetherden, a few miles from Stowmarket. Groups use it for camps, evening meetings and district events, and book it free of charge through this website.
Haughley Park is available as a Scout campsite with the kind permission of the landowner, Robert Williams. Please treat it with care, follow the campsite terms and contact the booking coordinator, not the estate, with any questions.
Areas you can book
- The PaddockOpen grass for camping and activities, with its own campfire circle and drinking water.
- Boundary CabinThe district cabin and equipment store, with drinking water nearby. Altar fires and half-barrel BBQs are available here.
- Bomb HoleThe main campfire circle, where firewood is supplied by the estate.
- Top Campfire CircleA further campfire circle, also supplied with firewood by the estate.
- The PlantationA wooded area of the park. Groups carry out their own risk assessment for wooded areas.
- Survival AreaWoodland for backwoods camping and bushcraft, with the same risk assessment rule as the other wooded areas.
Large camps and district events can book the whole park.
How to book
- Log inUse your volunteer account. New to the site? Register for an account and we’ll approve it.
- Request a bookingCheck availability and ask for a day session or an overnight stay, giving at least 14 days’ notice.
- Wait for approvalEvery booking is checked by the booking coordinator, and you’ll get an email once it is confirmed.
Before you go
- Weekday access is from 5pm, unless agreed in advance. There is no access outside your booking.
- From the first frosts, usually October to April, the water is switched off, so bring all the water you need.
- Fires must be raised off the ground, in altar fires or half-barrel BBQs. Only burn the firewood supplied.
- Sheep graze the land, so keep contact with livestock to a minimum.
- No chainsaws and no fireworks, anywhere on the park.
- Keep the gate locked and the code private: never share it with parents or the public.
Read the full campsite terms and the Scouts’ guidance on campsites, livestock and E. coli, which matters at Haughley Park because sheep graze the land before your visit.
Questions
Is there a charge?
No. There is no hire charge for Scout groups using Haughley Park.
Who can book?
Leaders and helpers with an approved volunteer account on this website. If you are not sure whether your group can use the park, get in touch.
Can I change or cancel a booking?
Yes. Log in and go to Manage your bookings.
Who do I contact with a problem on site?
Always contact the booking coordinator. The estate owner and Estate Manager should not be contacted. If an animal seems to be in distress, the booking coordinator has the right contact.
A place with a story
The park surrounds a Grade I listed Jacobean house built around 1620, and Scouts have camped in its grounds since at least 1926. It’s the home of district traditions like Frostbite Camp and our St George’s Day parade.
Photo of Haughley Park house and lake: John Goldsmith, CC BY-SA 2.0.