Guiding

Hautbois Activity Centre is the perfect place for all members of Guiding to come and explore a venue that has been part of the history of Guiding in the Anglia Region for over 40 years.  

Four children and an adult gathered around an educational book on a wooden bench outdoors, examining information about insects, with a tray of leaves and dirt nearby.
A collection of colorful patches and badges with various designs and messages, including phrases like "I've been under the sea with Ariel," "International Day of the Gliding," and "I've been grass sledging at..." Also featuring bear stickers and acti
Two children wearing red jackets with patches are squatting near a campfire.
Three girls wearing life jackets are tying a knot on wooden poles near a blue barrel in a grassy park with trees, a pond, and archery targets in the background.

Accommodation

All our accommodation options are available to guiding groups, depending on availability and group size. Please refer to the accommodation section on our website for further information. 

Hautbois challenge badge 

We offer badge days for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers. Our badge days are designed to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership skills, and takes place over one day here at Hautbois Activity Centre. 

Each section will take part in a whole different host of challenge and tasks to earn points towards your final survival challenge at the end of the day, all hosted by our incredible instructors! Complete the challenge to earn a badge. Just bring along a packed lunch and some enthusiasm.

See more information about our badge days here!

Skill builders

We offer units the chance to complete stages 1-3 of the CAMP skill builders and stages 2 & 3 of the EXPLORE skill builders. Each day includes up to 3 Hautbois activities and a whole host of challenges and tasks to earn a badge, all hosted by our instructors.

Just bring a packed lunch and your enthusiasm! 

Packages

  • A package that can either be done as a day visit or residential, Taste of Adventure is offered all year round, for all sections. 

  • Day visits – a day packed with 3 of our on-site adventurous activities, you can choose from our range of activities (subject to availability) for our unit to take part in throughout the day. A minimum of 8 girls are required per booking, leaders attend completely free of charge. Lunch is not included but can be available at an additional cost, or you are more than welcome to bring your own with you. 

  • Enjoy 4 fantastic activities, a full-catered overnight stay in Hautbois House or the Reedcutters’ Village (Lodge Cottage also available for smaller units). Catering begins with lunch on day of arrival and finishes with breakfast on day of departure. Leaders go free with this package, within ratios, and a minimum of 8 girls are required.

  • Experience 5 on-site activities, two nights full-catered in Hautbois House or the Reedcutters’ Village (Lodge Cottage also available for smaller units). Catering begins with breakfast on your first morning and finishes with breakfast on your day of departure (no catering on your day of arrival).  Leaders go free with this package, within ratios, and a minimum of 8 girls are required. When coming to us for a residential visit, sharing of accommodation may be required with another suitable guiding group.

See Guiding badge day info here

Exclusive events

We run a host of events throughout the year exclusively for guiding, on a 2-year rolling basis. Tickets for events are bookable via our website, and if units wish to pay by cheque, then you can contact us directly to arrange this. Keep an eye on our social media and website for event updates and ticket release information. 

Day events for Rainbows include: Spring egg-stravaganza, Teddy bears’ picnic, Christmas fun day

Events for Brownies include: Bats & bonfires, Wizarding weekend, Christmas adventure

Events for Guides & Rangers include: Hautbois Fest, Bats & bonfires, Winter wonderland

Events for leaders include: Christmas weekend, various exclusive training opportunities (Generation green, activity qualifications).

Events for Trefoil members include: Trefoil taste of adventure

We also run annual public events that units are always welcome to attend such as Open Days in May and our Bonfire and Fireworks evening in November. 

The Arc

What is The Arc?

Girlguiding Norfolk is the proud owner of the first purpose-built archive and collection building for guiding in the UK.

Situated across the road from Hautbois, resources are not just kept in dusty boxes however! The ARC’s aim is to make resources available to all ages, including you! We offer a range of sessions on various topics- traditions and dressing up are the firm favourites! The ARC also covers living history, what Guides did in the wars and moreover, how the lives of girls and young women has changed in the past 100 years.

You can find out more information on the Girlguiding Norfolk website. You can also contact the ARC directly, and the team can tailor a session to suit your timings and interests, at archivist@girlguidingnorfolk.org.uk.